TSU College of Agriculture AgLINK Summer 2022

Message from the Dean

DearAlumni and Friends,

This has been a historic Fall semester for Tennessee State University with more than 3,500 freshman joining the university, the highest we have ever experienced. Its more than double the size of our usual freshman class!

I am delighted to share that this Fall semester the Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences has begun the new Ph.D. degree program in Agricultural Sciences with 13 students. Our goal is to grow this enrollment to 40 students by enrolling about 10 to 12 students per year. This is the first Ph. D degree offering by the Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. We continue to offer the second Ph. D degree in Biological Sciences in partnership with the Department of Biological Sciences.

The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)/USDA awarded the university and its 1890 partners the 1890 Center of Excellence (COE) for Natural Resources, Renewable Energy, and Environment: A climate smart of approach. We host the Center in the College of Agriculture. We are extremely thankful to NIFA for this very timely funding as the globe is facing the impacts of climate change on a daily basis. The Center is funded at the rate of $1.92 million per year.

I am extremely pleased to share that the state of Tennessee has awarded the university $32.25 million to build the Food and Animal Sciences Building out of the state’s portion of American Rescue Plan funds. We are very thankful to Agricultural Commissioner Charlie Hatcher for facilitating the application process and the Fiscal Stimulus Accountability Group of the Legislature for approving the funding for this much needed facility at the University.

The rebuilding effort of the Agricultural Research and Education Center research facilities, destroyed by the 2020 tornado, is in full swing. This is a great collaborative effort among several internal and external partners including the Tennessee Board of Regents, several state agencies, and the insurance company.

Most of our faculty and staff have opted to be in-person for much of the work week this semester and so are most of our students. These days, we rarely hear that someone is sick with COVID-19 and it’s very satisfying and encouraging. Thanks to the wonderful science and modern medicine, we are able to come out of this pandemic and one day we may be able to eradicate it completely.

Thanks for your continued support of Tennessee State University and its land-grant programs!

Chandra Reddy Dean and Director of Research Administrator of Extension

Dr. Chandra Reddy, Dean College of Agriculture

Contents

Apprentices

Jaden Jackman (left) and Lamar Prince II (middle) pose for a selfie with Associate Professor Dr. Yujuan Chen at Tennessee State University. The two high school students were part of TSU’s annual Summer Apprenticeship Program. The program accepts high school juniors and seniors, and transferring community college students and introduces them to programs within the College of Agriculture. Jackman and Prince spent the summer exploring forestry with Dr. Chen, Dr. De’Etra Young, associate dean of Academic Programs and Land-grant Universities, Dr. Sarah Neumann, forest ecologist professor, and Dr. Bharat Pokharel, graduate coordinator

forest biometrician.

Contributors include: Quest Agee, Kirsten Burney, Dr. LaPorcia Davis, Emmanuel Freeman, Khyla Gilmore, Anita Greene, Dr. Tom Byl, Jaden Jackman, Joy Lowe, Nyla Neal, Dr. Valerie Oates, Stinson Parks, Jasmin Phelps, Dr. John Ricketts, Coach Rod Reed, Dr. Bill Sutton, Dr. Andrea Tyler, Shaun Wimberly Jr., Dr. De’Etra Young.

From the Editor

Hello

Alumni and Friends,

The theme of this issue of AgLINK is the three C’s of success: Communication, Cooperation, and Collaboration. This was not an intentional goal. When stories from different parts of the college sprang forth, tales of talents and intelligences from different arenas joined heads, hands, and hearts seeking to complete a singular mission.

Our forestry program is expanding, but it has been working diligently and quietly with the efforts of faculty members beginning with Dr. De’Etra Young, associate dean of Academics and Landgrant Programs, and Dr. Matthew Blair, research professor in the Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Dr. Young’s research focus is in forestry and urban forestry and she has reached out to the Nashville community and connected with forestry experts since she arrived at TSU in 2013. She also started the selfless service of planting trees on campus. Dr. Blair joined the effort. When Root Nashville, a concentrated effort to plant trees throughout the city, launched its campaign in 2018, young trees started appearing throughout the grounds of the College of Agriculture. It became TSU’s reason to honor Earth Day in our Pre-Earth Day Celebration. Read all about it on Page 8.

Joan Kite Editor

For the first time, we had five students intern with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). That groundbreaking happening wouldn’t have occurred if it wasn’t for the joint efforts of Dr. Andrea Tyler, TSU’s director of Graduate Studies, Dr. Sharon D. Peters, TSU’s executive director of Institutional and Program Review, and Dr. Bernadette Hence, senior program manager of the Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program of the U.S. Department of Education. These three women worked tirelessly and cooperatively to create the funding that enabled five young women to successfully spend their summer working with the FDA. That story can be found on Page 4.

Two young women are considering changing their agricultural career trajectories to Extension work after spending a summer in Senegal, Africa, teaching villagers how to preserve tomatoes and mangoes. Again, collaborative efforts were involved to make this overseas educational adventure happen. Dr. John Ricketts, TSU professor of Agricultural and Extension Education, worked with his long-time mentor and friend Dr. Rick Rudd, professor and head of the Department of Agricultural and Extension Education in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech, on a specially funded project in conjunction with Senegalese educator Ousmane Kane from the University of Bambey. The three men brought pre-trained students to a small village near Senegal to teach families how to preserve food, a village so remote they had to import glass jars. Read about the students awe, elation, and satisfaction on Page 20.

The mighty and persistent efforts of TSU, the Nashville Zoo, and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency may be succeeding in their efforts to restore the population of the hellbender, North American’s largest salamander — at least in a small river in Middle Tennessee. Read about their valiant work on page 12.

All of these accomplishments were not achieved in a vacuum. It took people from various institutions and agencies to come together and communicate, cooperate, and collaborate for our students to benefit. We appreciate their time and effort. This is a small tribute to them and a huge thanks. Please keep doing what you’re doing. Others, take note. This issue is filled with shining examples of how positive change happens!

Until next time.

Joan Kite Editor

In new partnership, FDA accepts 5

By JOAN KITE

Five College of Agriculture students spent this past summer interning with the Food and Drug Administration, the first time ever that students from a historically black university have been able to do so, according to their advisor Dr. Andrea Tyler, director of Graduate Student

Parks, and Jasmin Phelps.

The students were able to intern with the FDA from May 31 to Aug. 9 because Dr. Tyler and Dr. Sharon D. Peters, executive director of Institutional and Program Review, co-created a special grant program titled the Student Opportunities for Advancement in Research Skills (SOARS). SOARS pays for lodging and travel (when applicable) and the stipends for the agriculture students who were accepted by the FDA for the internships. The SOARS program is funded through a $250,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program (MSEIP), a grant that Dr. Tyler also applied for.

“It is the first time the FDA is partnering with an HBCU. It is a way for us to get a foot in the door. It is the product of the relationship between the Air Force and the FDA,” Dr. Tyler said. She credits Dr. Bernadette Hence, of MSEIP, for helping to make it happen.

For Jasmine Phelps, 22, the financial gift was a definite advantage as she traveled to Chicago, Illinois to work in the lab on the research project “Assessment of Strain-Specific Survival of Listeria Monocytogenes on Vegetables During Freezing.”

“I am in the SOARS program. I had the opportunity to work with the FDA and I am so grateful,” Phelps said.

“I absolutely love it,” Phelps said. “I am staying at the Extended Stay at Burr Ridge, and I am working in a lab at Bedform Park. This weekend, I am going to Chinatown with my boss and my coworkers.”

The other interns were assigned projects that enabled them to work remotely from their homes.

Services and interim Associate Director of Title III at TSU.

The students who applied, accepted, and interned with the FDA are Kirsten Burney, Joy Lowe, Nyla Neal, Stinson

Phelps said she is serious about pursuing a career with the FDA when she graduates in December of 2022. She has also fallen in love with Chicago during the few weeks she has spent there.

Kirsten Burney, 21, of Chattanooga, will be a senior this year pursuing a degree in Family and Consumer Sciences with a concentration in Food and Nutrition. Interning at the FDA was an ideal opportunity.

“I am in the SOARS program. I had the opportunity to work with the FDA and I am so grateful.”

Jasmin Phelps FDA Intern

“It is the first time the FDA is partnering with an HBCU.”

Dr. Andrea Tyler Director, Graduate Student Services

TSU Ag students as summer interns

notification, a warning label.”

“I personally feel better that it’s taken very seriously,” Burney said about her experience with her research. “It’s nice to have a better understanding.”

Burney is in MANRRS and is president of the Student Association of Nutrition and Dietetics (SAND). She is in the Honors College and is a University Scholar. She volunteers with SNAP-Ed Extension in Chattanooga where she lives.

Burney does not have a specific road map upon her graduation, which takes place in two more semesters.

“I am going to take any opportunity I can get,” she said. “The FDA internship has definitely opened my eyes to other career opportunities.”

Nyla Neal, 19, of Atlanta, Georgia, is majoring in Agricultural Sciences with a concentration in Food Science. She was accepted to work on the project “Regulatory Information for Food Additives and Color Additives.”

“My responsibility as a summer intern at the FDA is to transfer printed regulatory information online,” Neal said. “I’m retrieving older data to put in a newer, updated database.”

She is currently helping the FDA with research on market trends for dietary supplements with claims and new dietary ingredients.

“I am looking at what is being marketed to consumers,” Burney said. “Since supplements are not regulated by the FDA, there are a lot of failures. Companies must put an item on the market and there are rules they need to follow and directions that are provided. After their product is on the market, if they are not abiding by the rules, the FDA will send them a

Neal is working remotely from her home in Atlanta.

“I am learning about the different additives that can be put into food and how to create documents in Excel,” Neal said. “I really want to work with the FDA or USDA.”

Neal, a Farm Bill scholar, is currently the treasurer for MANRRS. She comes by agriculture and food science naturally. Her mom has a plant accessory business

called Roots Blooms & Petals and works for Signify Health Care. Her father works

Nyla Neal FDA Intern

for Clean Earth, a waste management and environmental service company.

Stinson Parks, 21, of Memphis, Tennessee, is working on her Agricultural Sciences degree with a concentration in Biotechnology. She has dreams of attending medical school with aspirations of becoming a dermatologist.

“When I was younger, I was in and out of the dermatologist’s office. I grew up in the dermatologist’s office,” Parks said.

She envisions pursuing wholistic medicine and “getting out of Tennessee.” She is currently studying for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and

“I’m retrieving older data to put in a newer updated database.”

“I am looking at what is being marketed to consumers. Since supplements are not regulated by the FDA, there are a lot of failures.”

Kirsten Burney FDA Intern

TSU Fashioni$ta$ win $$$ for dreams

By JOAN KITE

Five young women in the College of Agriculture Human Sciences’ Fashion Merchandising Program were each awarded $1,000 scholarships bestowed upon them by Gap Inc. & Harlem’s Fashion Row (HFR), and ICON 360, a nonprofit subsidiary of HFR.

The students who each earned $1,000 are Jasmine Broner, Kailyn Hart, Faith Reeves, Tiara Taylor, and Jada Wilder.

The students who received the scholarships wrote essays describing what attracted them to fashion, what was missing in fashion, and what they might do about it.

“Being a fan of fashion and a plus-size black woman, I had never seen myself in the industry, wrote Faith Reeves, 22. “There was never any inclusivity in the industry. So, the idea of developing my products or even working for a company in the product development area has always been a goal of mine. I want to make other women who feel that same as I do about the inclusiveness in fashion feel seen and involved.”

Today, Reeves is designing a capsule collection of TSU wardrobe items for Urban Outfitters in Philadelphia, Penn., while also interning as a buying assistant for the company. The collection, which will include shirts, a pair of bottoms, a trucker hat, and possibly a jacket will be sold online in Spring of 2023.

“It is amazing,” Reeves said of her current experience. She graduated in May and her internship with Urban Outfitters ends in August. “I still want to learn as much as I can. I am able to pick my brain and challenge myself.”

Reeves has an online presence and can be found on Instagram at msraichelleb@instagram.com and on TikTok at faithraii@tiktok.com.

Jasmine Broner, 22, has found herself extremely busy this summer working as an intern at the LOFT at Green Hills Mall while also working a second job as a server at Ruth’s Chris Steak House.

At the LOFT, Broner is learning how to stock, restock, and buy. Her position is currently Sales Lead, but she has spoken with store

GAP Inc. & Harlem’s Fashion Row scholarship recipients from TSU are (back row from right to left) Tiara Taylor, Jasmine Broner, Faith Reeves, Kailyn Hart and (front) Jada Wilder. The young women are a blend of fashionistas, entrepreneurs, designers and stylists. All of them combine these talents into forging career paths that bring them income and personal satisfaction.

Photo by Joan Kite

A Special Pre-Earth Day Party

Preserving trees and people one plant at a time

Story and Photos by JOAN KITE

Two TSU professors and one Nashville nonprofit campaign manager spent a Pre-Earth Day afternoon informing faculty, students, and staff about campus and community efforts to revitalize Nashville’s tree canopy and fight climate change, improve health, and promote environmental justice.

In the process, the audience learned they could join the fight against climate change by planting free trees in their own yards and dedicate trees being planted on the College’s campus to TSU employees and alumni who passed away from COVID. The dedicated trees will have small plaques identifying the tree species labeled with the names of their loved ones, said Professor Matthew Blair.

Pre-Earth Day festivities began with Associate Professor Yujuan Chen, who specializes

From Asia to the Southern United States, Dr. William “Bill” Sutton gathered knowledge about reptiles and brought his expertise to the College of Agriculture. On his travels, he collected a few beloved curiosities and beloveds.

A Professor’s Props

Dr. William “Bill” Sutton doesn’t mind the monikers: Snake Man. Slime Guy. Lizard King. They all fit. Sutton, who is an official Certified Wildlife Biologist approved by The Wildlife Society, is quite comfortable in the woods and wetlands studying the reptiles and amphibians so necessary to the world. He teaches his students the same understanding and helps them get their hands dirty in the hard work of saving certain species who are under threat of survival.

After all, this is a man who created a personal wetland in his own backyard.

Dr. Sutton was recently named co-

director of TSU’s newly named 1890 Center of Excellence in “Natural Resources, Renewable Energy, and the Environment (COE-NREE): A Climate Smart Approach.”

Dr. Sutton’s wildlife ecology experience and innate knowledge of the Southern landscape helped him craft an important portion of the work that helped reap $2 million in funding to be shared among Tennessee State University, Alabama A&M University, Southern University, Florida A&M University and Langston University. College Dean Dr. Chandra Reddy is the director and Dr. De’Etra Young also serves as co-director.

(Top left) Dr. William “Bill” Sutton displays his most prized attachments on his desk. Dr. Becky Hardman, his longtime partner who works as a postdoctoral researcher with One Health Initiative at the University of Tennessee, is seen in a photo backpacking with Dr. Sutton. Dr. Sutton (far right) displays handcrafted sculptures of a salamander and hellbender, two animals that he has spent much of his career researching. Down the middle and bottom are close-ups of items in Dr. Sutton’s office including the shell of a map turtle, a logo for the Wildlife Ecology program designed by former graduate student Nicole Witzel-McGeary, and a sculpted pygmy rattler, a real snake skin hanging form Dr. Sutton’s bookshelf, and a Japanese text about amphibians.

Story and Photos by JOAN KITE

Team members from TSU, the Nashville Zoo, and the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency scout out river rocks for release of the captive hellbenders.

Photo by Joan Kite

Inset photo: A hellbender in the wild peers out from under a river rock.

Photo by Bill Sutton

Science lesson:

Sending ancient salamanders back home is slippery business

By JOAN KITE

For Environmental Science Professor Dr. William Sutton and his graduate student Marley Machara, restoring populations of Eastern Hellbenders to a river in Middle Tennessee has been an almost Herculean event.

Between extreme heat brought on by climate change, local predators, sudden diet change, and other unexpected environmental factors, the giant salamanders, initially born and raised in the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere, weren’t surviving the move back to wildlife.

Of the 29 hellbenders released in 2021, only three have survived as of late July. Of those released in 2022, the numbers have been better, but the scientists are waiting for fall to arrive before they issue a verdict.

Hellbenders, the largest salamanders in North America, have been on the planet for more than 150 million years, but are now an endangered species thanks to degradation of their

SCIENCE, Continued on page 32

TSU Associate Professor Dr. Jianwei Li examines his wife’s garden plot in the Community Garden at the Agricultural Research and Education Center.

The garden has been closed for two years due to the tornado and the pandemic.

A Community Garden Restored, Plot by Plot

Story and Photos by JOAN KITE

The TSU College of Agriculture Community Garden at the Agricultural Research and Education Center (affectionately known as“The Farm”) was forcibly abandoned on March 2, 2020. The 6th costliest tornado in U.S. history had whipped through the Farm destroying everything in its path. Just three days later, the first case of COVID-19 was reported in Tennessee and one wondered if the Community Garden would see farmers again.

In the middle of May this year, the gardeners returned to the Community Garden. TSU professor Dr. Arvazena Clardy, who oversees the Community Garden, ensured

those gardeners were given keys to the entrance gate and gloves custom-imprinted with “Tennessee State University.”

Right before Memorial Day weekend, Dr. Clardy and her partner in “thyme,” Research Assistant Sherry Crudup, freely handed out tomato, pepper, and squash plants to the community gardeners and anyone else at TSU who wanted one. Harbingers of The Garden’s Return.

The introductory Garden Orientation where rules are set, questions are answered, and expertise is freely given felt

“I am new to gardening. I am looking to learn.”

Dr. Shameka Cathey TSU Assistant Professor Political Science

celebratory. This year’s garden offered 50 plots begging to be seeded and worked by novice and veteran farmers alike.

Dr. Clardy and Crudup have spoken with the diverse group of gardeners this year. Many were longtime vets who had been harvesting crops ever since the community garden began. Many were starting a plot in

the community garden for the first time.

“I am new to gardening,” said Dr. Shameka Cathey, an assistant professor of political science at TSU. “I am looking to learn.”

If anyone eased any fears and concerns, it was Master Gardener Joan Clayton-Davis who was there with her Master Gardener husband Biars Davis. To become a Master Gardener, one must complete the Tennessee Extension

“This is one of the most wonderful communities you will ever get involved with.”

Joan Clayton-Davis Master Gardener

Associate Professor Arvazena Clardy (far right) and Research Assistant Sherry Crudup hand out plants to those who want them including Associate Professor Ali Taheri who stopped by to pick up a tomato plant or two.

Master Gardener course and volunteer for 40 hours.

“This is one of the most wonderful communities you will ever get involved with,” Clayton-Davis said. “In addition to that, the College offers so many other things. I took the New Farmer Training Academy. Everybody helps everybody. I look forward to gardening this year.”

Dr. Jianwei Li, an associate professor in the College of Agriculture who specializes in climate change and soil science, attended the orientation with his wife and young daughter. He was prepared to snap up one garden plot. Two weeks later, he had acquired two plots.

One for his wife and one for himself. They are non-

“There is no wasting on the farm.”

Dr. Jianwei Li

TSU Associate Professor College of Agriculture

Associate Professor Dr. Dharma Pitchay talks to both amateur and experienced gardeners who acquired a plot in TSU’s Community Garden located in the Agricultural Research and Education Center.

Agribusiness student appointed as student trustee to TSU Board of Trustees for one year

By EMMANUEL FREEMAN

Shaun Wimberly, Jr., a junior agribusiness major, has been appointed the new student trustee on the Tennessee State University Board of Trustees. Wimberly’s appointment was announced during the Board’s June meeting. He was selected by President Glenda Glover to serve a one-year term, as a nonvoting member of the Board.

“Congratulations Shaun on your appointment to the TSU Board of Trustees,” President Glover said. “The student trustee plays a critical role at this university. As a student here over the years, you have demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities. I have no doubt that your contribution to the Board will make a positive difference for your fellow students.”

Dr. Deborah Cole, chair of the Board, welcomed the new student Trustee. “We are pleased to welcome you Mr. Wimberly to the Tennessee State University Board of Trustees,” she said. “The Board looks forward to your service and working with you on the board and on board committee matters.”

“I am excited for my new appointment to the Board of Trustees for the academic school year,” said Wimberly. “I am delighted to be working alongside such a distinguished team and I believe that there are great things to come. I look forward to learning and working diligently throughout my tenure, to serve my university and the student body well.”

A native of Louisville, Kentucky, Wimberly has a 3.7 grade point average. He is a Brand Ambassador of the Men’s Initiative. He has won many honors and awards, including the National Academy of Future Scientists and Technologists Award of Excellence. As a member of the FedEx-HBCU Student Ambassador program, Wimberly joined President Glover and FedEx executives on Feb. 1 to ring the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange.

Kenneth Rolle, II, president of the Student Government Association, described Wimberly as the “epitome of a student leader.”

“His drive and ambition have spoken well for him since his freshman year. I have watched him grow on campus and I am excited to watch him serve as the first male student trustee,” said Rolle. “He and I will work closely together as we continue to advocate and improve the experience for students here at Tennessee State University. I look forward to seeing him at work.” Wimberly was selected from among three candidates submitted

to President Glover by the SGA.

Frank Stevenson, associate vice president for student affairs and dean of students, noted that Wimberly has been a model student on our campus and has exhibited high leadership qualities.

“He comes with a great amount of experience,” said Stevenson. “Seeing his commitment to student engagement and to making sure that student concerns are heard at the level of the trustees is important. He is a good fit.”

Wimberly succeeds Tiara Thomas on the Board of Trustees. A top political science major, Thomas served two one-year terms on the board. She graduated last May and is pursuing her master’s degree at TSU.

“I look forward to learning and working diligently throughout my tenure, to serve my university and my student body well.”

Shaun Wimberly, Jr. Student Trustee

New asst. professor bears golden touch

By JOAN KITE

Dr. Sonali Roy, assistant professor, has yet to reach her two-year anniversary at the College of Agriculture and she has already corralled $1.4 million in funding for her laboratory.

Dr. Roy is a young scientist, passionate about her research using a targeted genetic approach to discover supplements for plants (specifically legumes) that will enable them to absorb nitrogen more efficiently with help from soil bacteria. Currently, plants only absorb 50 percent of the fertilizer they are given. The remaining wasted fertilizer then runs off into groundwater contaminating water supplies.

“That causes algal blooms which in turn kills fish, and birds, and other wildlife” Dr. Roy said.

Her research focuses on Medicago

truncatula, a plant related to alfalfa that is used as forage in some countries.

Dr. Roy has received funding for two separate research projects related to legumes. She received $499,216 for her “USDA-NIFA Crispr-Cas9 To Study Peptide Induced Histone Modifications

In Legumes.” Her Co-PIs are Dr. Suping Zhou and Dr. Ali Taheri. She also received $497,100 for a Building Research Capacity Grant of New Faculty in Biology from the National Science Foundation for “MedicaCARGO-Decoding peptide perception during MedicagoSinorhizobium symbiosis using CRISPRcas9 As a Reverse Genetics tool.” Her Co-PI on that project is Dr. Walter Chazin of Vanderbilt University.

The third project is a National Science Foundation HBCU-Undergraduate Program grant of $400,000 for teaching. Together with Dr. Ali Taheri and Dr. Suping Zhou and three external collaborators, Dr. Roy will be responsible for developing a course with “hands-on”

components to make key concepts of gene editing in agriculture and plant science accessible to undergraduate students within the college,” she said.

Together, the projects will “fund research experiences for 15 undergraduates, an M.S. student, a doctoral student, and a postdoc,” said Dr. Roy.

Dr. Roy earned her Bachelor of Science in Botany from the University of Delhi in India where she graduated with First Class Honors. She earned her Ph.D. in Legume Molecular Genetics at John Innes Centre in Norwich.

She also received the American Society of Plant Biologists 2022 Women’s Young Investigator Travel Award to attend the Society meeting in Portland, Oregon and a large equipment donation to setup her lab at TSU, from her alma mater the Noble research Institute in Ardmore, Oklahoma.

Dr. Sonali Roy stands before her alfalfa plants in the green house where she conducts research on legumes. Photo by Joan Kite

Gabrielle Cameron, an aspiring agriculture educator, traveled to Senegal to help teach villagers food preservation techniques. Here she is holding some of the tomatoes that she taught villagers to slice and dice and preserve in glass jars.

Extending our education, Extending ourselves

Two young ladies travel to Senegal to teach villagers food safety techniques and discover unexpected career paths FAR, FAR AWAY .

Story by JOAN KITE Photos by JOHN RICKETTS

Niarra Anthony and Gabrielle Cameron will not hesitate to tell you. Traveling to Senegal, Africa, was an amazing and transformative experience that has changed their perspectives and their lives. Spending two weeks in Africa teaching villagers how to preserve tomatoes and mangoes may have changed their career paths as well.

Both young ladies —Anthony is 19, Cameron is 21 — were selected for the “Illuminating Agricultural Extension and Education Extension and Education Career Opportunities for STEM and Liberal Arts

Niarra Anthony, an aspiring veterinarian, is also a world traveler. Prior to her Research and Extension Experience for Undergraduates (REEU)opportunity to Senegal, she had traveled to Italy, Greece, Kenya, and Ghana. But this trip has her thinking of completely new possibilities.

Undergraduate Students” program, the result of a five-year grant program funded by the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

Project Director Dr. Rick Rudd, of Virginia Tech, included undergraduates from TSU and VT when he envisioned four diverse cohorts who would undergo training first in Appalachia and preparation first for Senegal before traveling to Senegal to help natives there learn about food safety and food preservation.

“The students learned about preserving food and canning in a huge industrial kitchen,” said Dr.

John Ricketts, TSU Agricultural and Extension Education professor and advisor to the TSU attendees. One of their instructors was Elizabeth Sanders, county director for University of Tennessee Extension who is a canning expert.

They also learned cultural customs, a little bit of French and some Wolof, the native language in Senegal, and were prepared for the trip being told what vaccines to get, how much money to bring, and what kind of clothes to pack.

The day came when they were ready to fly to Senegal and eight hours later, they stepped on to African soil.

“I literally just kept gasping,” said Cameron who had never traveled overseas prior to this trip. “I was walking on African land. I was just looking out seeing some of the desert trees. The air is different. The heat is different. The trees are big

TSU Agricultural and Extension Education Professor Dr. John Ricketts, Niarra Anthony, and Gabrielle Cameron arriving at Senegal. The are seen here with the entire traveling party, including students from Virginia Tech. Far left is their translator, guide, and fellow educator Ousmane Kane from the University of Bambey.

“That first day it was a lot to process. We were really in Africa.”

Gabrielle Cameron Agricultural Sciences Student Agricultural Leadership, Education & Communication

(Above) Village women gather closely to watch Extension students demonstrate how to preserve fresh vegetables and fruits to either be eaten later or sold at farmers markets for a profit. (Left) Gabrielle Cameron (center) looks back at Ousmane Kane, an instructor from the University of Bembay, who assists the students in their language translation as well as understanding the villagers’ culture. Next to Cameron is a Virginia Tech student who is also an Agricultural Education major.

Syngenta partners with College to create ingenious vision for students

Story and Photos by JOAN KITE

When team members from Syngenta, a top-notch global agtech company whose primary purpose is to provide the farmer with a toolbox of innovations in crop protection and constant seed improvements, met with leadership at TSU’s College of Agriculture, neither group had any idea what seeds they would be planting before they parted in early August.

Both parties left excited and happy.

The potential idea for raising the next group of whip-smart, well-trained, bestprepared agricultural professionals raised from high school through college and Syngenta internships into professional positions at Syngenta had been envisioned, said Julie Poquette, leader of Syngenta’s Global Talent Acquisition and

member of the College’s newly created Agricultural Advisory Board.

“It’s younger and younger we have to start planting that seed,” Poquette said. “The impact that we can make to the world.”

Syngenta is already taking steps to work with students in the Chicago High

Syngenta team members met with College leadership to tour labs and plan future endeavors. In the front row from left to right are Interim Associate Dean Dr. Fulya Baysal-Gurel, Dean Dr. Chandra Reddy, Katie Hayes, Syngenta’s head of Human Resources, CaSandra Carter, Syngenta’s HR generalist for North America, Interim Department Head Dr. Valerie Oates, Dwight Bostwick, Syngenta’s head of Breeding Collaboration Management, Kramer Farney, Syngenta’s head of Field Force Excellence & Training, and Dr. John Ricketts. In the back row from left to right are Julie Poquette, Syngenta’s lead in Global Talent Acquisition, Department Head Dr. Sam Nahashon, Brandon Bell, Syngenta’s lead of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in North America, Associate Dean Dr. De’Etra Young and Dr. Nick Gawel.

School for Agricultural Sciences (CHSAS). When they met with the College of Ag, it was the first HBCU that Syngenta entered negotiations with. The meeting proved profitable. Dr. Chandra Reddy, dean of TSU’s College of Agriculture, agreed to move forward on internships for Syngenta-sponsored students from CHSAS.

“We are extremely delighted to partner with Syngenta to develop a

diverse workforce for agriculture in the U.S.A..” said Dr. Chandra Reddy. “We are embarking on a unique model of mentoring and supporting high school students through the college and the job market. We are joining Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences and Syngenta in this new experiment and hope to build a viable model to increase diversity in the agricultural sector.”

CHSAS was founded in 1985 in the

heart of Chicago and prepares urban youths in college preparatory coursework in agriculture.

High school students can begin careers in agricultural finance and economics, agricultural mechanics and technology, animal science, food science and technology, horticulture and biotechnology in agriculture. From labs to classrooms to a 39-acre farm, high school

Dr. Sonali Roy (right), assistant professor who specializes in legume research, speaks with Syngenta representatives about ongoing studies in her lab. From left to right are Brandon Bell, Syngenta’s lead of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in North America, CaSandra Carter, Syngenta’s HR generalist in North America, Dwight Bostwick, Syngenta’s head of Breeding Collaboration Management, Julie Poquette, Syngenta’s lead in Global Talent Acquisition, and Dr. Roy.

From left to right, Research Associate Dr. Hui Li is talking about ongoing research in Research Professor Dr. Matthew Blair’s laboratory to Syngenta representatives CaSandra Carter, HR generalist in North America, Katie Hayes, head of Human Resources, and Brandon Bell, lead of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in North America.

Across the Board

Summer Apprentices learn through multidisciplinary approach in their fields

The high school students this summer were crème de la crème — mature, attentive, eager to learn, smart, their professors said.

The summer whizzed by.

Even though program changes were made for this year’s Summer Apprentice Program, the first-time students and professors joined faceto-face, hands-to-hands since the pandemic, which was its own kind of relief.

By the end of this summer, 25 high school students would learn their topics through a multidisciplinary approach. Their projects would reflect research practiced in the field (literally), in the lab, and on instruments and computers in science offices. They would leave with the understanding that science careers are available in a variety of settings, not just one imagined one. Their project presentations reflected that conclusion among their other findings.

The students were divided into six academic groups reflecting academic disciplines the students could pursue in the Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences or the Department of Human Sciences.

They groups were Food and Animal Science, Agribusiness, Wetland Ecology, Forestry, Biotechnology, and Fashion Merchandising and Product Development.

“My project’s purpose was to have a statewide operation, an app called

Veg 2 Go,” said Summer Apprentice

Omari Mason, 18, then an aspiring high school graduate and aspiring agribusiness major. “I would have an app that’s function allowed users to place an order fresh produce. My team would pick up the requested produce from small local producers in Tennessee and deliver it.”

Mason is now a freshman at TSU, one of 16 of the 25 Summer Apprentices who decided to attend TSU this fall. A creative person interested in music and the arts, Mason said he chose agriculture as his major, because “in my future, I want to be (economically) stable.”

In each group, students focused on projects that exposed them to the fields, the labs, and the research office. In the Food and Animal Science group, students started on “The Farm” where they herded and weighed goats, took blood and fecal samples, vaccinated and dewormed them and met orphaned calves and fed them milk from the bottle. Later, they would research parasitic worm tissue, said Dr. Thyniece Bowden, the post-doctoral research assistant who works in that area.

“I would have an app that’s function allowed users to place an order fresh produce. My team would pick up the requested produce from small local producers in Tennessee and deliver it.”

Omari Mason Summer Apprentice

The Wetland Ecology Group gather by the wetlands at the TSU Agricultural Research and Education Center where they conduct field research. Front Row: Quest Agee. Second row from left to right: Chelsea Randle, senior TSU environmental sciences student, Summer Apprentices Saniah Williams, Aaliya Cotton, Remonda Mahrous, and TSU sophomore Avion Brown. Back row from left to right: Professor Tom Byl and Summer Apprentice Todd Stansberry. Selfie by Quest Agee

All 24 Summer Apprentices gather on the staircase in the biotechnology building of the College of Agriculture at Tennessee State University for a group photo just before summer ends. Many of them are currently freshmen students in the College here at Tennessee State University. Photo by Joan Kite

APPRENTICES, From page 26

Then, they traveled to the poultry farm where they met TSU’s poultry chicken and guinea fowls.

“They learned how we mixed our own (poultry) food. You have to calculate everything… how much fat, how much protein… so that we know what’s already in there,” Dr. Bowden said.

“With Dr. Agnes Kilonzo-Nthenge, they toured her labs and took samples of goat milk and tested it for bacteria. With Dr. Ankit Patras, they learned how to treat tainted goat milk with ultra-violet rays to remove e-coli. They learned how to use the machine,” Dr. Bowden said. “I think they saw that

agriculture is more than just being on the farms.”

Emily Shelby was a Summer Apprentice and is now a TSU freshman. She is a potential fourth generation TSU graduate.

“My Mom and Dad met at TSU. My Mom majored in electrical engineering. My Dad did business administration. They own their own IT company,” said Shelby, whose parents are third-generation TSU graduates.

Though Shelby is looking at a degree in Agricultural Sciences with a concentration in Food and Animal Sciences, over the Summer in the Apprentice Program she chose the Fashion Merchandising and

Development Group. Shelby fell into total admiration with the Fashion Professor Dr. LaPorcia Davis. Shelby chose Dr. Davis as her mentor.

“I like her… just her drive. She has her own brand. She is determined. She is an African American woman doing her own thing,” Shelby said. “She is an inspiration, a role model.”

Seven students in the fashion group made custom handbags, tote bags and t-shirts using organic cotton and presented PowerPoint presentations on sustainability, fashion merchandising and social media.

“I didn’t know that fashion had to do with agriculture,” Shelby said. “Fashion has a lot to do with agriculture.”

Apprentices in the Food and Animal Science group take a selfie with Professor Dr. Agnes Kilonzo-Nthenge and her research assistant Abdullah Mafiz. From left to right in the front row are Khyla Gilmore, Jeffrey Jackson II, Dr. Kilonzo-Nthenge, and Mafiz. In the second row from left to right are Temarcus Harris, Grace Colvin, Janea Hubbard, Makayla Lovelace, Jaiden Suggs and Sydney Wyche. Selfie taken by Khyla Gilmore.

Apprentice Aaliyah Cotton, of the Wetlands Management Group, displays a turtle she was measuring captured from the wetlands at TSU’s Agricultural Research and Education Center.

Two high schoolers receive the education from four professors in the Forestry Group. From left are Dr. Sarah Neumann, Apprentice Jaden Jackman, Dr. De’Etra Young, Apprentice Lamar Prince II, Dr. Joyce Chen and Dr. Bharat Pokharel.

Apprentice Omari Mason (left) presents his app Veg 2 Go and explains how it will deliver local produce to community members for a reasonable cost.

Photo by Coach Rod Reed

Photo by Tom Byl.

Graduate student Marley Machara has been working with hellbenders for two years and experienced a mass die-off the first year that she released hellbenders into the wild. This past year, the survival rate has improved greatly.

Photo by Joan Kite.

SCIENCE, From page 13

Bill Sutton (left) checks the health of the skin of a hellbender before determining if it is well enough to be released into the outdoor river as Lead Herpetology Keeper Sherri Doro Reinsch of the Nashville Zoo waits to confirm his finding. The two have worked closely to release hellbenders from the Zoo into the wild.

Photo by Joan Kite.

habitats due to man’s activities. They breathe oxygen through their skin. Industrial water pollution, sedimentation, and habitat destruction have destroyed almost 80 percent of the hellbender population, according to the Center for Biological Diversity.

In a unique collaborative partnership with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) and the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere, Dr. Sutton and Machara have been researching, documenting, and actively placing young Eastern Hellbenders into the wilds with initially dismal results. Machara, a young graduate student, is learning that science learns from its failures.

When Machara and her crew released the 29 hellbenders in 2021, she experienced a mass die-off the salamanders. Each equipped with two kinds of transmitters.

“The stress took its toll. There was mass mortality. They were floating down the river, crawling up on the bank, getting eaten by predators. We would find their transmitters a month and a half later,” Machara recalled. Not what she was expecting.

Her proposal on the project, “Survival and Movement Patterns of Reintroduced Zoo-Raised Eastern Hellbenders,” recounts the challenges: “This field season provided data to improve survival during the 2022 field season and the

reintroduction of future captive hellbenders in other rearing facilities.”

TSU, the Nashville Zoo, and TWRA, which is funding the research, responded quickly. Sherri Doro Reinsch, the lead herpetology keeper at the Nashville Zoo said they created a “raceway” tank for the hellbenders, which was adorned with riverbed rocks for the hellbenders to hide under. Simulated currents flowing at similar speeds to those in the outdoor river were established to prepare the hellbenders for the actual river sensations. The hellbenders were also introduced to crayfish, the critters they would normally eat in the wilderness.

“At the Zoo, they were eating shrimp and worms,” Machara said. Fine food for an indoor hellbender, but not ideal for one intended for the wild.

“I am cautiously optimistic that his field season will have better survival results than we did last year,” Machara wrote in an email. “I am very grateful for TSU, TWRA, and the Nashville Zoo for working with me and providing me with the opportunity to do this project and I hope that this year we continue to learn new things that will benefit the captive release program for Eastern Hellbenders for future releases and years to come.”

A hellbender at the Nashville Zoo, where it was born and raised, will be weighed and evaluated before being released into the wild. Photo by Joan Kite.

Members of TSU College of Agriculture, the Nashville Zoo, and the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency fan out in the river seeking river rocks to release the hellbenders. Photo by Joan Kite.

PRE-EARTH

in urban forestry, talking about the importance of trees to the health and welfare of humans.

“One in four lives could be saved by increasing the (tree) canopy, especially in low-income communities and communities of color. It can make a life-or-death difference,” Dr. Chen said, citing a study from the Los Angeles Urban Cooling Collective.

Urban tree canopies, including the ones in Nashville, are fighting against pests, climate change that brings on extreme weather events, and the ever-growing increase in population density.

“In the U.S.,” Chen said, “over 25 percent of the trees are under siege.”

TSU’s Pre-Earth Day event offered some solutions. Meg Morgan, campaign manager for Root Nashville, told the crowd that her organization’s mission is to plant 500,000 trees in Davidson County by 2050.

“We have an aging tree canopy overall. Trees live a long time but not forever,” Morgan said. She cited the Emerald ash borer, Dutch Elm disease, and extreme weather events as current destructive forces threatening Nashville’s canopy.

“We, as people, we need a strong healthy urban tree canopy,” Morgan said.

Anyone can participate in helping Root Nashville plant trees in the community. The College has been working with Root Nashville for the past four years. Many recently planted trees on campus have come from that organization, Morgan said.

“We started working with TSU early on. This is our fourth

““One in four lives could be saved by increasing the (tree) canopy, especially in low-income communities and communities of color. It can make a life-ordeath difference.”

Dr. Yujuan Chen TSU Associate Professor

TSU Associate Professor Dr. Yujuan Chen and Meg Morgan, campaign manager for Root Nashville, enjoy a lighthearted moment at TSU while discussing the seriousness of keeping Nashville’s tree canopy vital and abundant.

Donna Hinton, assistant to College of Agriculture Dean Chandra Reddy, stands between two Okame Cherry trees planted in memory of her sister Norma Wiseman-Steverson and her uncle Richard Bowers. Hinton can see the cherry trees from her office window.

planting season (with the university),” Morgan said.

Morgan told the crowd that anyone could become a Neighborhood Planting Captain and bring 50 free 1” caliper trees to one’s neighborhood. All that is required is enthusiasm and the willingness to reach out to neighbors. Planting season runs from October through March, so Planting Captains have been selected for 2022-2023 but visit www.rootnashville.org to learn more.

Following Root Nashville’s presentation, the crowd learned about the College’s own planting efforts on its campus. Dr. De’Etra Young, associate dean of Academics and Land-grant Programs, and Dr. Matthew Blair, research professor, have been instrumental in planting trees on the College campus. Dr. Young is an expert in

forestry started planting trees on campus shortly after her arrival to TSU in 2013.

Dr. Blair took the group on a tour of young trees recently planted on campus. During the pandemic, Dr. Blair started dedicating the planted trees to employees of family members or employees who had died. Each tree is labeled with the species and the name of the person to whom that tree is dedicated.

A Southern Magnolia was planted in memory of Irma Pritchett, the mother of Assistant Professor Rita Fleming and Rita’s sister Anita Greene. Mrs. Pritchett passed at 94-years-old.

“We were surprised and very grateful to him for doing it,” Ms. Fleming said. “We lost my mother in January of

“This is a blessing for me. I can look out the window and watch these two trees growing in memory of my family and that brings a smile to my face.”

Donna Hinton Assistant to the Dean College of Agriculture

2020. People sent emails and condolences, but something that was that everlasting…”

Ms. Fleming said she walks past the Magnolia tree every day happy to watch it getting bigger with each passing year.

Donna Hinton, senior office assistant and assistant to Dean Dr. Chandra Reddy, lost her sister Norma WisemanSteverson, 57, and her uncle Richard Bowers, 68.

Dr. Blair planted two Okame Cherry Trees outside Ms. Hinton’s office window where she can watch them grow.

“They are very early to bloom, and they are very hardy,” Dr. Blair said.

“I lost two very special people in my life last year. My sister in May 2021 and my uncle six months later,” Hinton said. “Dr. Blair came to me and wanted to do something special for me so he planted two trees in memory of both my family members right outside my office window. This is a blessing for me. I can look out my window and watch these two trees growing in memory of my family and that brings a smile to my face.”

Dr. Matthew Blair (from left to right) stands with TSU Assistant Professor Rita Fleming and her sister Anita Greene by the Magnolia tree planted in honor of her mother on the TSU campus. Photo courtesy of Anita Greene

Any

a deceased relative can contact

Matthew Blair at mblair@tnstate.edu.

employee

in having a tree

SYNGENTA, From page 25

students begin experiential learning early.

Students would continue their education at TSU on scholarship interning at Syngenta, Poquette said. The Syngenta internships will expose students to a variety of environments from corporate offices to laboratories to field work. By graduation, students would have an authentic career map based on actual experience.

“It’s younger and younger, we have to start planting the seed,” Poquette said. “They think they want to go into a career at Syngenta. We are going to roll out the red carpet.

Poquette said their team’s visit to the College was fantastic. The faculty “are doing a lot of great work. They took us to all the labs we wanted to see. The innovation session was fantastic,” she said.

Poquette and Reddy both said they look forward to collaborations to come and the students who will benefit the most.

eyeballing UCLA.

With the FDA, she is helping to build a database for disease claims for dietary supplements. She said she is impressed with how much information the FDA has put online for everyone to access.

Parks is a Dean’s Scholar, a member of MANRRS, and an Ag Ambassador. She expects to graduate in May of 2023.

All the interns spoke highly of Dr. Tyler and Dr. De’Etra Young, who advised them on their path to and through the FDA internships.

“I can go and talk to them about anything,” Parks said.

Students interested in programs connected with the SOARS program can contact Dr. Tyler at atyler2@tnstate.edu or Dr. Peters at speters@tnstate.edu.

“It’s been amazing. They’ve given me a lot of career recommendations.”

Joy Lowe FDA Intern

“I can go and talk to them about anything.”

Stinson Parks FDA Intern

Dr. Chandra Reddy, dean of the College, speaks with Syngenta team members as Syngenta Head of Trait Design and Generation Allan Wenck joins in on Zoom.

TSU Associate Professor Dr. Jianwei Li checks the trellis on his garden plot, which has been constructed from items tossed or abandoned at the Community Garden. An environmentalist as well as an environmental science professor, Dr. Li has managed to create his garden from rubbish that he has found in the weeds and hedges near his garden plot. He rues the plastic that he finds, and shakes his head at the tiny plastic seedling trays found in the soil, which do not decompose but must be recycled. He remains an optimist, however, and looks forward to the later summer months when his family and friends can enjoy the bounties that he and his wife have grown.

GARDEN,

competing gardeners, of course.

“I don’t compete with her,” Dr. Li said.

The couple has planted tomatoes, okra, green beans, zucchini, and potatoes.

“This is your plot,” Dr. Clardy told the attentive group. “You can be as creative as you want.”

Dr. Li, an environmental scientist who is currently doing research on climate change, practices on his plot what he preaches in the classroom. He has used trash that he has found near his plot to create his garden trellis for his beans.

“There is no wasting on the farm,” he said as he fished out pieces of plastic from the dirt shaking his head. “This is so bad. This is not decomposable.”

Dr. Li admits he experiences some garden envy noticing other gardeners’ plots that boast neat rows and huge vegetables, but he is too busy watering and weeding his own rows in the later afternoon sun.

“It’s a lot of work,” Dr. Li said. Much different from the lab or classroom.

At orientation, Dr. Clardy stressed that soaring temperatures this summer can lead to heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

“Try to get out there as early as possible. Jesus stops the breezes at 11 a.m. and says ‘Bye,’” Dr. Clardy said.

TSU Professor Dr. Dharma Pitchay, who specializes in plant nutrition, sustainable organic farming, and greenhouse/ plasticulture production and horticulture, presented tips and tricks for growing vegetables on The Farm.

He talked of soil testing, soil health, planting procedures, watering and irrigation, and use of fertilizers and pesticides.

Aside from the hoeing and digging and pulling weeds and, ultimately, reaping the harvest of hard work, Dr. Pitchay stressed “community.”

“Whose garden is this? You get it done. You take responsibility,” Dr. Pitchay said.

The professor stressed sharing and looking out for each other in the fields.

Then, growing season began.

CONGRATULATIONS! College of Agriculture Graduates Spring 2022

Department of Agricultural Sciences

Master of Science in Agricultural Sciences

Carla Hayes

Jared Phy

Daiva Wilson

Dilovan Yahya

Master of Science in Environmental Science

Precious Areeveeso

Rose Mumbi

Master of Science in Food and Animal Sciences

Alessandria Aikerson-Russell

Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Sciences

DeAsia E. Baker

Lyric Sade Carter

Bobbi Jeanelle Casey

Jahnari B. Edwards Mikia D. Garrett

Jayla R. Glenn

Miette Yvonne Glover

Zoe Nicole Grosskreutz

Jaden K. Hall

Jourdan C. Huntley

Alexis M Johnson

Jada Amirah Karriem

LeAnn Marie Lopez

Kennedye Miller

Kennedi Shambly

Christian A. Smith

Ahmad Malik Walker

Clenique J. Walker

Emmanuel D. Wallace

Jordyn Hailee White

Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences

Hala Mohsen Baabdullah

Jayla S. Beason

Danyla D. Exum

Kailyn M. Hart

La’Dejah Chazmin Jackson

Jaylynn Uriel Keith Jacquinta Kyles

Yori X. Latiker

Jailyn S. Lee-Moore

Faith Rai-Chelle Reeves

Essence B. Rose

Robyn Nalani Smith

Justin Bradley Wiencek

Faith Alesi Willis

Jayla M. Woods

leadership about a management position upon her graduation, which is this September. She will walk in her cap and gown in December.

“My long-term goal is to own my own business,” Broner said.

She also gets to exercise her creative skills at the LOFT. Buyer, beware. You may enter intent on buying a pair of pants, but Broner will make sure you will leave with a jacket, shirt, scarf, and handbag and you will be thrilled because you look so great!

“That’s where I use my styling skills, yes,” Broner said.

You can find Broner’s main Instagram account at prettygirljb_@Instagram.com.

After winning a $1,000 scholarship, Jada Wilder earned an internship with Tory Burch in New York City. She will return home this month.

Wilder is an entrepreneur and creator at heart. She uploads curated styles to her website Unravel Accessories at www. shopunravelaccessories.com. The posted slogan? “Details Matter.”

She is known for having pop-up fashion shops on campus.

Wilder is filled with gratitude.

“Thank you so much to the Human Sciences Department for selected me to receive this scholarship! I want to give a special thanks to Dr. (LaPorchia) Davis for writing my recommendation letter so effectively,” she said.

Wilder’s internship program is a two-year plan that may place her in Los Angeles next summer.

“I am hoping to go to California.” Wilder said.

Wilder can be found on Instagram at: @thisisjadalynn; @shopunravelaccessories; and @wearestylynn.

On TikTok: @lynniethepoohh. Kailyn Hart, 22, graduated summa cum

laude in May of 2022 and returned to Memphis where she is currently working with her family’s fashion business Major Pieces.

“I’m handling the website, doing online analytics. I style the models for our photo

Instagram presence is Muze24_@ Instagram.com

“My slogan is Inspire through Fashion,” Hart said. “My styles are vintage, but upbeat and uppity. I actually have new vendors. I want to start popping out strong.”

Look for the new branding by late September, she said.

Hart is planning to relocate to Atlanta, where she eventually wants to transform her online business into a brick-and-mortar establishment.

Tiara Taylor aspires to be a personal stylist and clothing brand owner.

“My goal is to help my clients step outside their comfort zone and to always be confident in what they wear,” Taylor wrote in her scholarshipwinning essay. “I view styling as a work of art... Piecing together assorted colors and clothing items creates visual art.”

You can find Taylor’s work on Instagram @styledbytbaby.

What helped prepare these five young women for the real world of fashion was a singular professor who is new to the College of Agriculture. Dr. Davis took inventory and noted that fashion aspirants were lacking in creating a portfolio professional enough for the reality of today’s fashion industry.

“A lot of students aren’t sure how to build a portfolio,” Dr. Davis said. “I want to make sure that they are market and industry ready.”

Dr. Davis is also a social media influencer, and she wanted her students to formulate an online presence promoting their personality and their professionalism.

shoots,” Hart said. Hart plans on re-branding her current online business www.Muze24.com. Her

“In fashion, you can’t really be silent,” Dr. Davis said. “You have to use your outside voice, but I know that there is more to do to get them to do that.”

“In fashion, you can’t really be silent.”

Dr. LaPorchia Davis Associate Professor Fashion Merchandising & Product Development

CONGRATULATIONS!

Dean’s List Spring 2022

Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

Niarra Anthony

Damien Antwine

Khalia Armstead

DeAsia Baker

Jayden Barrett

Jada Black

Myles Bolton

Trea Brewer Diego Britt-Alvarez

Trinity Brown Morgan Bryan Jahsun Bryant Gabrielle Cameron Ian Chiwo

Quentin Clark Martina Coe Cherish Coleman Austin Cruse

Mallory Douglas Chervenia Fields Ashlynn Freeman

Sofia Garcia

Leah Garrett

Jayla Glenn

Trinity Gourdin

Chloe Gray

Jaden Hall Angelique Hamilton Aayliah Hampton Alaiza Hayes

Zaria Hobbs Jade Holmes Kerrington Howard Kaylin Hughes

Genoe James Gabrielle Johnson Desirai Jones Lauryn jones Macarius Jones Ceonni Jordan John King Savannah Lewis

Aidan Lewis-Dunn LeAnn Lopez Zhaierra Love Joy Lowe

Aria McElroy

Dejza McEwen Tanya McNeal Warona MdLulwa Abensiba Misiedjan Ashely Mitchell

Nakira Morris Emmanel Nash Nyla Neal Janani Oates Carli Officer Angel Pantoja Tiffani Patterson Chelsea Randle Rachel Rapolevich Dacia Ringo Ryan Rucker

Family and Consumer Sciences

Elizabeth Smith

Meyah Stephenson

Antavion Stone

Brownwen Swann

Azia Tanks

Zachary Taylor

Janae Terrell Kaila Vardaman

Jewell Vickers

Naom Von Bose

Justin Walker Emmanuel Wallace Justice Walton

Danielle Western Jordyn White

Shaun Wimberly Cierra Woods Blake Wright Gerriah Young

Zoe Aguuilera

Miracle Alford

Auriel Amos

Tori Boggs

Jessica Bolden

Jasmine Broner

Ireionna Brown Laronda Cole Drauman Davis Danyla Exum

Jamya Fanney Crystal Felton

Andreana Gross

Alexis Harrod

Kailyn Hart

Felipe Izaguirre

La’Dejah Jackson

Tayah Jones

Jalynn Keith Jacquinta Kyles

Yori Latiker Chanteneigha Lawson

Jailyn Lee-Moore

Dionee McFarland

Emery Minor

Bernard Nichols

Faith Reeves

Dewayne Rosse

Chantel Tarver

Tiara Taylor

Makayla Usher

Taylin Watkins

Jada Wilder

Anarra Williams

Don’t Stop

ARD Symposium registers highest number of attendees in its history

By JOAN KITE

More than 1,000 educators, researchers, agricultural professionals, and graduate and undergraduate students, including 55 representatives from Tennessee State University (TSU), gathered at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis on April 2-5 in Atlanta, Georgia for the Association of Research Directors (ARD) Symposium. It was the first time the group met in the flesh since the pandemic.

“It was the highest number of participants,” said Dr. Fulya Baysal-Gurel, interim associate dean for Research at TSU. “The safety measures we put into place to protect people against COVID helped bring them together. People trusted the system. We had strict COVID

guidelines.”

After being postponed for a year because of the pandemic, the Symposium felt like a homecoming for researchers, educators, and students who had the opportunity to network and collaborate.

“This symposium, like those before it, has as its primary goal: ‘to provide a forum for interactions, knowledge sharing, building networks for expanded partnerships, and to showcase the talents and achievements of the 1890 community’,” said the ARD Chair and Dean of the College of Agriculture at TSU Dr. Chandra Reddy.

“Dr. Reddy did an excellent job of bringing people together,” Dr. BaysalGurel said.

The Symposium featured nearly 800 students’ research papers and posters and included oral competitions. TSU doctoral student Madhav Parajuli won first place for outstanding achievement in plant health and production and plant products for his graduate student competitive oral presentation in the highly competitive arena. His advisor Dr. Baysal-Gurel missed his presentation because she was judging another competition but was pleased with Parajuli’s award.

“Parajuli is confident about his work,” she said. “He knows the science.

“It was a great opportunity to present

in the 20th Biennial Research Symposium of the ARD. There was a total of 35 oral presenters in our category, which means it was a tough competition,” Parajuli said. “I am very much grateful to Tennessee State University, the College of Agriculture, and the Dean for all the logistic support. A special thanks to my wonderful advisor, Dr. Fulya Baysal-Gurel, without whom it would not be possible.

Representatives from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, a major source of government funding for

higher education research, were present and offered workshops about grant writing and navigating the landscape of NIFA funding. It allowed educators and researchers to ask questions and directly gather information from NIFA representatives.

Sponsors who help support the ARD and the Symposium included NIFA, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Microsoft, the Agricultural Research Service, Southern Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education, the Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and

Ranchers Policy Research Center, the United States Forest Services, Syngenta Global, AgFirst Farm Credit Bank, USDA – Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, National Crop Insurance Services, and the American Soybean Association.

Sponsors and members of other 1890 institutions were on hand to reach out to graduate and undergraduate students, answer questions about educational and career opportunities, and financial opportunities such as scholarships or jobs.

Ag students travel to Ghana

Study Abroad trip part of HBCU Africa Education Coalition Initiative

Several agriculture students were able to travel to Ghana last spring with TSU’s International Education Study Abroad and Exchange Program, Director Mark Brinkley said.

The program traveled with The HBCU Africa Education Coalition (HAEC), an organization which seeks to increase study abroad opportunities in Africa for those students of African descents.

Dr. Valerie Oates, director of Human Science at the College of Agriculture, also traveled with the group as a volunteer chaperone.

“The experience in Ghana, we have done it before, but not with TSU,” Brinkley said. “We have been sending students to Ghana, but there was a break because of the pandemic.”

Overseas travel is picking up now that it appears the worst of the pandemics is over and vaccinations are available.

Brinkley said his office is committed to helping students start the process of overseas travel. He is working with students on understanding their academic trajectories and getting the necessary tools (like passports) to travel.

His office is currently working with students to travel to Italy and Senegal.

Brinkley said he sits on the Board of HAEC and TSU is committed to sending students to Africa through that organization through 2028.

For students interested in traveling overseas, contact Brinkley at mbrinkley@tnstate.edu or dial (615) 9637660.

Students pose under statue of Kwame Nkrumah, former president of Ghana who led the Gold Coast to independence from Britain, in Ghana.

Bloom where you are planted

Success stories from the College of Agriculture

Alumna enters veterinary school, gets white coated by TSU mentor

Research Animal Scientist Professor Dr. Richard Browning helped celebrate TSU College of Agriculture graduate Lauren Stevens’ white coat ceremony for her acceptance into the UT College of Veterinary Medicine this past May.

Dr. Browning had the honor of placing the white coat on Stevens on stage during the ceremony.

Dr. Browning was Stevens’ professor, advisor, and mentor while she was here at the College of Agriculture.

Stevens was a constant and friendly presence on The Farm while she was a student here.

After graduation, she became an agriculture instructor at Cleveland State Community College.

Tell ‘em about it

TSU Ag students Tanya McNeal (from left to right), Emmanuel Wallace, and Kennedy Thomas had the opportunity to tell a room of human resources professionals in the agriculture industry what they wanted and expected in their careers upon graduation. The students sat on a panel at the 2022 Ag & Food HR Roundtable hosted by AgCareers.com held this year at TSU. They were direct and honest in their comments.

“I want to work in a place where other people look like me,” Emmanuel Wallace said.

Dr. Richard Browning (left) placed the white coat on his former student Lauren Stevens during the white ceremony at University of Tennessee’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Photo courtesy of Lauren Stevens

Photo by Joan Kite

Grad student heads to Florida to pursue doctorate

Former graduate research assistant and TSU alum Jesse Potts traveled to Homestead, Florida, this Fall semester to pursue research and earn his doctorate at the University of Florida.

Potts was granted a College of Agriculture and Life Science Deans Scholarship which will cover his four-year education at the University of Florida Tropical Research and Education Center. He intends to earn his Ph.D. in Horticulture with a concentration in Environmental Horticulture.

He is still developing his project, but he said it will include molecular biology, propagation, and biotechnology applications.

Potts is a member of the American Society of Horticulture, the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, and the Golden Key Honor Society.

In 2021, he earned second place at the 43rd university wide Symposium at Tennessee State University. He also published two papers during his time at TSU.

He was a friendly presence in Dr. Suping Zhou’s lab, quick to smile and offer assistance to anyone who approached him.

Student leader and alumna CheKenna Fletcher has returned to the College of Agriculture to pursue her doctorate in Agricultural Sciences with a concentration in Food Sciences under the tutelage of Dr. Ying Wu.

Fletcher just earned her Master’s in Public Health from Purdue University. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from TSU with a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Sciences in May of 2019.

“She’s a great asset for our program,” said Dr. Bharat Pokharel, graduate coordinator. “It’s always great to see our students come back with her

energy and enthusiasm to earn a terminal degree.”

A Dean Scholar, Fletcher is wellknown and popular student leader on campus. She is a member of the Golden Key International Society and the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. She has was an active member of the MANRRS chapters at TSU and Purdue. She is a POTUS scholar, one of the most prestigious academic awards one can attain, said Dr. Pokharel.

Fletcher is a native of Lebanon, Tennessee

TSU alum and former graduate research assistant Jesse Potts takes one last photo before he leaves TSU to travel to Homestead, Florida, where he is pursuing his doctorate with the University of Florida. Photo by Joan Kite

Alumna, student leader returns to earn her doctorate in College’s new Ph.D. program

CheKenna Fletcher (left) dances with Dean Dr. Chandra Reddy during the Welcome Back party for the beginning of Fall Semester. Photo by Joan Kite

Welcome to Fall Semester 2022!

Student leaders organized a catered barbecue for incoming freshman and transfer students to welcome them to the College of Agriculture at the beginning of the Fall semester. They enjoyed hamburgers,, veggie burgers, hot dogs, collard greens, and macaroni and cheese. They heard about opportunities to succeed within the College through academics and student organizations. And they danced, which of course, included the “The Wobble.”

Say hello to our newest faculty members.

Dr. Gajender Aleti

Assistant Professor Food & Human Microbiome

Dr. Gajender Aleti’s research focuses on understanding the and exploiting the interplay between the human microbiome and host metabolism. Specifically integrating omics approaches including microbiome profiling and metabolomics with mechanistic studies to gain deeper understanding of the host-microbial interactions underlying human diseases for therapeutic purposes.

Aleti earned his B.S. in Botany, Zoology and Chemistry and a Master of Science in Biotechnology from Osmania University in Hyderabad and Telangana, India. He earned a Master of Science in Bioinformatics from the University of Abertay Dundee in Dundee, United Kingdom. He earned his Ph.D. in Microbial Ecology from the Austrian Institute of Technology & The University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences in Vienna, Austria.

Dr. Brione Lockett Assistant Professor Health Equity and Wellness

Dr. Brione Lockett holds four degrees from Southern Illinois University Carbondale — two bachelors degrees in History and Africana Studies, a Master’s in Public Health, and a Doctorate in Health Education.

Dr. Lockett recently was an Assistant Professor of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences and served as the Coordinator for African American/ Black student Programs at Utah Tech University. Dr. Lockett recently served on Utah’s Ethnic Studies Coalition, was a reviewer for the American Public Health Association, and has served as a member of various public health, professional, university committees, and academic organizations.

He served on a Student Outbreak Response Team that conducted wellness checks for elderly persons living in an assisted living facility during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Sarah Neumann

Assistant Professor Forest Ecology

Dr. Sarah Neumann is a forest ecologist whose research (both greenhouse and field-based) focuses on plant-soil feedbacks as a mechanism for shaping community composition, structure and productivity of temperate and tropical forests. She is interested in feedbacks between plants and their soil community (both damping-off and mycorrhizal fungi as well as abiotic mediated feedbacks) and the impact that these feedbacks can have on maintenance of tree species diversity, exotic plant invasions as well as native species shifting range boundaries due to climate change.

She also investigates how abiotic factors (e.g. climate, light, soil fertility or moisture) can impact the occurrence or strength of these feedbacks.

She earned her Ph.D. in Forestry and Ecology from Michigan State University and her B.S. in Biology from the University of the South.

Dr. Brahmaiah Pendyala Assistant Professor

Phytochemistry/ Chemo and Bioinformatics

Dr. Brahmaiah Pendyala is interested in investigating the roles of natural products in promoting human and animal health, especially identifying novel antiviral, antimicrobial, anticancer, and senolytics (for healthy aging) natural compounds as functional ingredients for food, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical industries.

He is an expert in applying virtual screening and machine learning tools to predict the bioactive compounds from numerous natural products and eventual evaluation through in vitro high-throughput screening (HTS) enzyme/ biochemical and cell culture assays.

Dr. Pendyala has a multi-disciplinary postdoctoral experience in Food Science, Microalgal Biotechnology, and Biofuels/Bioproducts. He earned his Ph.D. and Master of Science degrees in Biotechnology and his Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology.

Say hello to our newest faculty members.

Dr. Doc Lap Tran Assistant Professor Agribusiness

Dr. Tran Doc Lap has had more than 22 years of research and teaching in Economics at, Nong Lam University in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. There, he held the of position of Head of the Department of Agricultural Economics from 2012 to 2021 . He earned his Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from the University of Western Australia in 2012, and received two the Australian Government’s Endeavor Scholarship for postdoc research at UWA and the U.S. Government’s Fulbright Scholarship for Vietnamese scholars to do postdoc research at University of California, Berkeley, USA. His research areas are Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness focusing on consumer economics, agricultural value chain, food safety, and water management.

Dr. Alyssa Rockers

Assistant Professor Agricultural Communication

Dr. Alyssa Rockers graduated from the Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership at The Ohio State University in the summer term of 2022. She completed her Ph.D. under the direction of Dr. Joy Rumble with a concentration in agricultural communication. Dr. Rockers’ dissertation was entitled, “What it means to be an Ohio mother: A qualitative study of the social identities and interpersonal conversations that influence mothers’ food buying.”

She earned her M.S. in agricultural communications from Oklahoma State University and her B.S. in general agriculture/ communications from Missouri State University. Dr. Rockers has worked in communication and outreach with both traditional and non-traditional agricultural groups.

Dr. Sultan Mahmud Assistant Professor Precision Agriculture

Dr. Sultan Mahmud, an assistant professor in the area of precision agriculture, completed his doctoral degree in agricultural and biological engineering with a focus on sensing, artificial intelligence, and robotics for specialty crops at The Pennsylvania State University.

Dr. Mahmud’s lab’s mission is to provide engineering solutions for Nursery Crop Production. Current research focuses on precision agriculture technologies including sensing, computer vision, artificial intelligence, Internet of Things and robotics, applied towards the autonomy of the Nursery Crop Management.

Dr. Abdelaziz Lawani Assistant Professor Agribusiness Management & Entrepreneurship

Dr. Abdelaziz Lawani’s research and extension programs are at the intersection of agribusiness management, applied economics, entrepreneurship, and machine learning. He is currently working on using machine learning, remote sensing (drones and satellite data), social networks, and consumer-generated content online (reviews, commentaries) to infer economic agents’ behavior.

One of his current research projects is using behavioral economics to analyze the demand for plant-based meat and the halo effects of eco-labels.

Dr. Lawani earned his Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from the University of Kentucky, his M.S. in Economics from North Carolina State University, and his B.S. in Agronomy from the University of Abomey-Calavi in Benin in West Africa.

Dr. Pramir Maharjan’s research and extension roles covers the broader areas of poultry production with a focus on poultry drinking water quality management and feed nutrient management aimed at improving flock health and performance and yield characteristics.

Dr. Pramir Maharjan Assistant Professor & Extension Poultry Specialist

Dr. Maharjan’s specific interests include amino acid and energy nutrition for optimal growth and performance, dietary effects on physiological nutrient turnover in tissue,

understanding physiological aspects of emerging muscle myopathies, and feed additives evaluation in relation to feed nutrient digestibility and bird health.

He has taught courses in Broiler Breeder Management and Avian Anatomy and Physiology.

Dr. Maharjan earned his Ph.D. and M.S. in Poultry Science from the University of Arkansas and his B.S. in Veterinary Science from Tribhuvan University in Nepal.

and beautiful. They look like trees you would draw in elementary school.”

“That first day it was a lot to process,” Cameron said. “We were really in Africa.”

Anthony, who wants to be a veterinarian, had traveled to Italy and Greece when she was in high school and for her graduation, she was treated to a trip to Ghana and Kenya, so she had experience to assist her in Senegal.

Dr. Rudd, Dr. Ricketts, and an educator from the University of Bambey, Ousmane Kane, were also there to help guide the young ladies. Kane was fluent in English, French and the native language Wolof, so he could help translate when needed.

Anthony and Cameron were there to help

teach the village women how to preserve tomatoes and mangoes, crops that are so plentiful during season the unused and uneaten fresh fruits simply rot on the ground because the villagers do not have the technology to store them.

They don’t even have glass jars necessary for the process.

The University of Bambey, with the help of Virginia Tech and TSU, are packing glass jars into the area for the residents, Dr. Ricketts said.

For the next 14 days, Anthony and Cameron would help teach the women how

The preserving process begins. The village does not have access to the glass jars necessary to preserve their fruits and vegetables so Extension is trying to find a vendor who can bring the jars to them.

Niarra Anthony (left) said she learned from villagers how to cut mangoes more quickly though they still could slice mangoes more quickly than she could. She, in turn, helped teach the crowd how to preserve them.

“The people are amazing.”

Niarra Anthony Agricultural Sciences Student Pre-Veterinary Medicine

and can mangoes

show Anthony and Cameron

to use a huge

pestle

cut a mango

“That was another beautiful part of reciprocation,” Cameron said. “We’re learning what they’re using. Their version was still safe, and it worked.”

Anthony learned a little Wolof.

Both loved the Senegalese people.

“The first day working with the villagers, I was a little nervous,” Cameron said. “I remember being told before; they’re not going to accept you over there. When we got there, it was the total opposite. They were happy to see us. It was a great bonding experience from the start. They were humble and gracious people. It was just beautiful to see how accepting they were.”

Anthony agreed.

“The people are amazing,” Anthony said. “That’s one of the reasons I love African people in general.”

The students’ adventures were not all work. They were able to do some sky lining, and cruised to Lake Rose, which looks pink because of a combination of salt, algae, and sunlight.

“We went on a safari and saw giraffes, zebras, rhinos, monkeys, alligators, wildebeests, warthogs. It was awesome,” Anthony said. “I’m interested in animals. I knew I wanted to be a vet. I loved to travel. I had a conversation with Dr. Rudd. My grades are good.”

Dr. Rudd helped convince her.

The adventures, training, and academic conversations helped both young women reframe their futures. Upon their return home — a graduate degree, a new learning institution, even a new continent — no longer looked like an impossibility.

Dr. Ricketts is currently accepting applications for the second cohort for training her at TSU, in the Appalachians, and then travel to Senegal. He can be reached at jricket1@tnstate.edu.

Calendar

Gabrielle Cameron from (left), Dr. John Ricketts, and Niarra Anthony take a selfie during their learning adventure to Senegal.

Tennessee State

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