A summer of science and sustainable agriculture

August 8, 2023

SOAR-REEU students immerse themselves in research and community.

Agriculture
Student Life
A group photo of students participating in a summer agricultural research program

The summer has flown by for students participating in SOAR-REEU, a CFANS program that provides summer undergraduate research opportunities in science and sustainable food systems; the program aims to close the agricultural career gap for youth from underrepresented groups. Nine students from across the country spent the summer in labs across campus, conducting research in sustainable agriculture, plant science, and soil science. Beyond the lab, students were immersed in Minnesota’s sustainable agriculture community, with field trips to Hmong American Farmers Association farm and Big River Farms. Students also developed their science communication skills, learned best practices for creating a research poster, and attended panel discussions with ag industry professionals. Students will present their research at the Summer Undergraduate Research Expo this Thursday.

SOAR-REUU Research Projects 

Weed species identification: Telling the story 

Cecilia Cole, SOAR-REEU student from Augsburg University, mentored by Nic Jelinski

Exploring species abundance and richness of vegetables, fruits, and herbs in Twin City home gardens 

Loren De Jesús, SOAR-REEU student from Universidad de Puerto Rico en Utuado, mentored by Eric Watkins 

Differences between expressed plasticity depending on ploidy and domestication status 

Armando Garcia, SOAR-REEU student from University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley, mentored by Laura Shannon 

Paper circular chromatography: A qualitative tool for soil health assessments

Damaris Ispache, SOAR-REEU student from California State University, Monterey Bay, mentored by Julie Grossman 

Penetrometers! Is the data quality worth your money? 

Jakeisha Lewis, SOAR-REEU student from Berea College, mentored by Bryan Runck 

DNA barcoding Hmong medicinal herbs 

Sophie Naylor, SOAR-REEU student from Colgate University, mentored by Ya Yang 

AgroTrack: Better phenotypic data collection 

Jacob Pacheco, SOAR-REEU student from University of Minnesota Twin Cities, mentored by Tom Michaels 

Constructing a predictive model for soil water nitrate concentrations based on the composition of a given soil

Lynsey Torres, SOAR-REEU student from University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, mentored by Jake Jungers

Growth and resilience of Forestiera pubescens in water-stressed Minnesota environments 

Tabitha Williams, SOAR-REEU student from Clemson University, mentored by Brandon Miller