REEU Program Directors

Dr. Tuininga is the PD of the “Green Ag Teams” program. This program trains students through hands-on learning and partnerships, building skills in data science, automation, and sustainable farming to shape agriculture’s future.

Dr. Yu is the PD of the “Strengthening research capacities in geospatial data science in agricultural and natural resources” program. This program focuses on Hispanic undergraduates, offering hands-on research, new courses, and summer internships in geospatial data science.

Dr. Rosson is the PD of the “MINION” Program. This program empowers undergraduate students by deepening their skills in program evaluation, research methods, and data analysis while supporting local Extension programs.

Dr. Feng is the PD of the “Cultivating next-generation seafood Professionals through summer research internships” program. This program aims to raise awareness of seafood careers, improve research skills, and support long-term student success.

Dr. Hopfer is the PD of the “Training of future professionals along the human-food interface through research and experiential learning for undergraduates” program. This program offers experiential research, career exploration, and professional development in food safety, nutrition, and health.

Dr. Gude is the PD of the “EMPOWER” program. This program addresses challenges in water, energy, and food demands by providing undergraduates with hands-on research, education, and outreach experiences.

Dr. Butts-Wilmsmeyer is the PD of “ELIAS-DS” program. This program offers training in data and crop science through two tracks: Explorers, who attend a week-long bootcamp, and Fellows, who complete a two-year research experience.

Dr. Das is the PD of the “REEU on Remote Sensing SAR data for agricultural applications” program. This program trains undergraduates annually, focusing on underprivileged, minority, and women in STEM, in using high-resolution SAR remote sensing for agriculture.

Dr. Polloshka is the PD of the “Building Connections: A research and extension exchange program in ag finance, marketing, and food security” program. This program engages students in research and extension projects focused on data analytics in agfinance, food marketing, and food security.

Dr. Cahoon is the PD of the “Expanding Opportunities in Agricultural Sciences: Crop-to-Food Innovation” program. This program trains undergraduates in plant breeding, biotechnology, bioprocessing, and nutrition; preparing students for careers from research to product development.

Dr. Golick is the PD of the “Growing the Next Generation of STEM Professionals Using Integrated Insect-Plant Research and Extension Experiences” program. This program focuses on insect-related research in agroecosystems, enhancing skills in science communication, extension materials, and professional development.

Dr. Hammer is the PD of the “Bridging the gap: training next generation scientists using animal health technologies” program. This program trains participants in precision monitoring and networking, with a focus on animal health and production and on recruiting underrepresented students. 

Dr. Mamo is a PD of the “Fostering the Next Generation of Inclusive Agricultural and Natural Resources Professionals” program. This program helps students apply knowledge and research skills to agricultural and natural resources challenges through internships, building skills in science efficacy, systems thinking, teamwork, and outreach.

Dr. Kennelly is the PD of the “Team plants: developing tomorrow’s leaders in agricultural cropping systems through cross-disciplinary research and extension experiences” program. This program trains undergraduate students in research and extension for agricultural plant science and technology. 

Dr. Szczepaniec is the PD of the “ARIDS” program. This program aims to immerse students in IPM research with applications to crop protection and sustainability. By combining experiential learning, outreach, and stakeholder interaction, the program addresses challenges in retaining STEM students and meeting workforce needs.

Dr. Bradford is the PD of the “Discovering (FACTS)” program. This program mentors students in food, agriculture, natural resources, and human (FANH) sciences with a focus on Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Students conduct sustainability and public health research, preparing for agricultural careers or advanced degrees.

Dr. Andrade is the PD of the “Seeds4Life” program. This program is focused in food systems leadership, enhancing technical, interpersonal, and cross-cultural skills. The program aims to prepare students to address food system challenges, develop leadership and teamwork skills, and pursue careers or graduate studies in food systems.

Dr. Gordon is the PD of the “Enhancing undergraduate learning through research and extension internships” program. This program focuses on underserved communities, and aims to help undergraduates explore outreach, natural resources, and grad school while building technical and leadership skills.

Dr. Tsai is the PD of the “Crop Genetics and Genomics II: promoting diversity in agriscience through undergraduate mentoring in research and extension” program. This program that trains underrepresented undergraduate Fellows in crop genomics, research ethics, and agriscience careers.

Dr. Zhang is the PD of the “Summer Experimental Learning and Research Experiences for Undergraduate Students on Crop Genomics and Agricultural Biotechnology” program. This program trains students on miRNA roles in plant stress responses through mentoring and advanced techniques like CRISPR, addressing USDA AFRI priorities.

Dr. Guertault is the PD of the “REEU-SIPP” program. This program trains students in the science, practice, and policy of Agricultural Water Pollution (AWP) management. Students engage in research, build problem-solving and leadership skills, and participate a field trip to France to enhance their understanding of sustainable agriculture.

Dr. Dawson the PD of the “Enriching the Professional Preparation of Food Science Students” program. This program prepares students through coursework, internships, and experiential learning. Students work on real-world food and agriculture projects through Extension-Integrated coursework and annually participating in Embedded Extension Internships. 

Dr. Melgar is the PD of the “FLORECE!” program. This program prepares undergraduates to tackle agricultural sustainability with hands-on research, an internship in Spain, and professional development. Students build skills and share their work through publications and YouTube.

Dr. Jin is the PD of the “Agri-analytics Fellowship: an interdisciplinary approach to expanding career pathways for undergraduate students” program. This program equips graduates with data analysis, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, preparing a highly skilled workforce to transform agriculture.

Dr. Gwinn is the PD of “BiGG FACTS in One Health” program. This program trains undergraduates in big data for agriculture, building technical, leadership, and communication skills. Focused on women, it prepares students for careers in bioinformatics, genetics, and genomics.

Dr. Kong is the PD of the “From the Bench to the Community: Food and Nutrition Research Experience for Undergraduates” program. This program trains undergraduate students for food and nutrition careers and builds on past success by broadening recruitment, offering diverse research opportunities, and improving evaluation.

Dr. Trout Fryxell is the PD of “REEVES” program. This program addresses the shortage of veterinary entomologists by training students in pest identification, surveillance, and management. Students develop communication, leadership, and science skills, culminating in a virtual Expo to share results with stakeholders.

Dr. Donaldson the PD of the “Developing Future Research and Extension Professionals to Advance the Essential Cs” program. This program trains undergraduates in cropping systems, climate-smart agriculture, and science communication through 10-week internships. Recruitment targets diverse, underrepresented students, with at least 50% from outside NC State. 

Dr. Cruz is the PD of the “Agroecology Scholars Program in Research and Extension (ASPIRE) for Diversity” program. This program addresses food system challenges and climate change by developing agricultural graduates with both technical skills and awareness of environmental and societal impacts.

Dr. Marufuzzaman is the PD of “AI2F” program. This program focuses on training underrepresented students, introducing AI to the forest industry, and developing leadership skills. Students tackle research problems in areas like forest genetics and wood processing, learning data management, model training, and technology deployment. 

Dr. Jander the PD of the “Undergraduate Research: Innovative Agricultural Technologies” program. This program trains undergraduates in cutting-edge agricultural technologies, including phenotyping, robotics, and bioinformatics, through interdisciplinary research at Boyce Thompson Institute and Cornell.

Dr. Piñero is the PD of the “Engaging Undergraduates in Research and Extension Training using Technology and Experiential Learning to Enhance the Sustainability of Food Production Systems” program. This program prepares students for STEM careers in agriculture through hands-on research, focusing on skill-building and communication

Dr. Olagundoye is the PD of the “Rhode Island Agriculture and Food Systems Fellowship Program”. This program mentors students in sustainable agriculture, food safety, and policy, preparing them for careers through hands-on learning and community engagement.

Dr. Lofgren is the PD of the “IMODEL” program. This program mentors underrepresented students through workshops, internships, and networking, promoting diversity and leadership in nutrition and food systems.

Dr. Robinson is the PD of the “Esp” program. This program program aims to increase awareness of extension’s role and recruit skilled professionals to deliver science-based knowledge to communities. Students engage in hands-on learning, leadership training, and mentorship, preparing them for extension careers.

Dr. Fontanier is the PD of the “Training Undergraduates in Plant Research and Extension Principles through a Summer Experiential Learning Fellowship Using an Interdisciplinary Approach” program. This program builds on a previous REEU, offering a summer program where students gain experience in crop production, research, and leadership.

Dr. King is the PD of the “Research and Extension Rural Scholars” program. This program connects students with rural communities to tackle challenges through research and collaboration. Scholars receive mentorship, live in rural areas, and share findings at the Rural Renewal Symposium, focusing on underrepresented institutions.

Dr. Chen is the PD of the “Nurturing Researchers and Educators of Smart Food Consumption” program. This program trains undergrads, especially future ag teachers, in nutrition education, research, and extension. Fellows deliver lessons on food safety, budgeting, and healthy eating to high schoolers, promoting food security and reducing obesity risk.

Dr. Cochran the PD of the “SCARLET” program. This program is tailored to undergraduate students interested in agricultural science, including plant pathology, soil science, and crop science. Interns gain laboratory, field research, and presentation skills, with additional workshops to enhance resumes and career options.

Dr. Shim is the PD of the “REEU at the Interface of Plant, Microbial and Bioenvironmental Sciences” program. This program prepares students in plant pathology and environmental sciences through hands-on research and outreach, with a focus on underrepresented groups. It fosters interest in scientific careers and aims to build a diverse, skilled workforce in Ag.

Dr. Moore is the PD of the “FRESH” program. This program provides hands-on research experience in food safety, microbial modeling, and renewable energy, with a specific focus on Atmospheric Cold Plasma (ACP) treatment for shelf-life preservation and agro-industrial waste valorization for energy production.

Dr. Huang is a the PD of the “Developing the workforce for next- generation agriculture through research and extension experiences for undergraduates” program. This program equips students in sustainable agriculture through hands-on training in IoT, UAS, and geospatial analytics for smart farming.

Dr. Mast is the PD of the “TExAS Scholar Program”. This program prepares underrepresented students for careers in animal health and production through experiential learning at three Hispanic Serving Institutions: Texas A&M University-Kingsville, University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez, and West Texas A&M University.

Dr. Naïma Moustaïd-Moussa is the PD of the “Nutrition BEST” program. This program trains undergraduates in nutrition, obesity research, and food safety through research at Texas Tech and internships at Texas A&M AgriLife. Focused on mentoring and leadership, it boosts career/grad school paths in health and nutrition.

Dr. Persans is the PD of the”SMaRT-BioTech” program. This program trains underrepresented students in sustainable biomanufacturing, converting biomass into biofuels, chemicals, and biopolymers. Each year, undergraduates from gain hands-on research and career development.

Dr. Kariyat is the PD of the “Strengthening national security through capacity building and private-university- government partnerships in food and agricultural sciences” program. This program addresses workforce shortages and food safety challenges. Students gain hands-on experience, creating career pathways and strengthening ag and food security.

Dr. Riggs is the PD of the “A SURE FIT” program. This program aims to bridge the gap between industry careers and graduate programs while enhancing faculty mentoring of underrepresented students. Interns work on Animal Health and production projects, attend professional development sessions, and present their research at the Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course. 

Dr. Moore is the PD of the “ASSET” program. This program addresses the shortage of qualified school-based agricultural education (SBAE) teachers in Texas. Through internships and hands-on experience, this program aims to increase the number of graduates entering the AFNR teaching profession and help close the skills gap in food and agricultural sciences.

Dr. Hennessey is the PD of the “ENGAGED in AST” program. This program offers educational and research opportunities for underrepresented engineering students to explore agriculture challenges, food insecurity, and technology solutions for farmers, supporting students in completing engineering degrees and pursuing careers in agriculture systems. 

Dr. Kang is the PD of the “Training Undergraduate Students for Sustainable Production of Poultry” program. This program trains undergraduate and underrepresented students in sustainable poultry production through research, industry collaboration, and continuing education.

Dr. Garcia is the PD of the “ANDALE” program. This program supports first-gen, underrepresented students in food, nutrition, and health sciences through mentorship, training, and research. Scholars from CSU Long Beach and Monterey Bay gain hands-on experience to tackle health challenges.

Dr. Hibbs is the PD of the “Training Diverse Undergraduate Students in Experiential Research” program. This program trains diverse students to tackle urban ag and natural resource challenges like soil, water, fire ecohydrology, urban biodiversity, and environmental justice.

Dr. Beckstead is the PD of the “Undergraduate training in applied plant microbiology for regenerative agriculture and habitat restoration in the Intermountain West” program. This program trains undergrads from diverse backgrounds in seed science and restoration while engaging youth and experts to advance sustainability.

Dr. Etienne is the PD of the “Cultivating Future Ag Marketing Leaders: A Summer Research and Extension Program on Agricultural Commodity Marketing and Risk Management” program. This program provides students with hands-on experience in marketing, risk management, and data analysis through research, field trips, and industry engagement.

Dr. Xiaoxue “Rita” is the PD of the “SUPERMinDS” program. This program trains future data scientists to tackle agricultural data challenges in Idaho. Students collaborate on research, develop tools like forecasts and risk strategies, and learn coding for data management and visualization.

Dr. Hellberg is the PD of the “SURFFS-UP” program. This program offers underrepresented undergraduates hands-on food science research, professional development, and industry exposure. Students gain mentorship, leadership skills, and research experience. The program aims to increase food science involvement and create a pipeline for future professionals.