Discovery-based Undergrad Opportunities: Collaborative Research Support Program
PI(s): Mullins, Donald E, Fell, Richard D
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Abstract: An Undergraduate Special Studies course offered by the Entomology Department was designed to introduce students to issues associated with international agricultural research, providing them with an opportunity to observe agricultural research practices by participation in some research activities and to learn about Malian culture. It was offered as a two semester course totaling 4 credits and featured a two-week trip to Mali, West Africa during the winter break.
Description: Discovery-based Undergrad Opportunities: Collaborative Research Support Program was a project between several universities led by Montana State University. It was designed to introduce undergraduate students to international agriculture by providing them with a hands-on opportunity to learn about the agricultural research practices and culture in Mali, West Africa. Student participants were recruited from undergraduate courses in the life sciences at Virginia Tech and faculty and staff associated with ongoing IPM/CRSP projects in Mali and other international programs served as instructors and advisors in the course. The work plan included development of a synergistic relationship between collaborators and undergraduate students and focused on learning about agriculture and agricultural research in Mali. The program involved student participation in experimental design, data collection, and analysis and the touring of some of Mali's agricultural and cultural areas. Students and advisors traveled to Mali during The semester break for a 2 week period to observe Malian agricultural practices, and conduct field work in accordance with their proposed research. Students completed their respective research projects and shared their experiences with other students enrolled in various life science courses at Virginia Tech. This exchange of information and the experience of students who participated in the course led to an increase in general student awareness of international agriculture and the opportunities that exist for international involvement. Three students participated in 2003-2004 and 4 students participated in 2003-2004 Student projects for the 2003-2004 Academic Year: Martin, M. S., A.R. Goble, M. N’Diaye, B. Dembélé, K. Gamby D. Mullins, R. Fell, and J.H. Westwood. 2004. Characterization of foliar-applied potash solution as a non-selective herbicide in Malian agriculture Mueller, A. J., D. E. Mullins and R. D. Fell. 2004 Comparative studies on azadirachtin content in neem leaf and seeds from various extraction processes as determined by Thin-Layer and High Performance Liquid Chromatography. Student projects for the 2004-2005 Academic Year: Crowley, E., L. Sturgeon, J.H. Westwood, M. N’Diaye, D. Mullins, R. Fell, B. Dembélé and K. Gamby. 2005. Foliar Applications of Potash for Use as a Contact Herbicide Hash, S. J., D. E. Mullins and R. D. Fell. 2005 Analyzing Azadirachtin-A Content In Malian Neem Leaf Extracts With High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography McAllister, S. I., I. Sharakhov, M. Sharakhova, D. E. Mullins and R. D. Fell. 2005. Malaria Research: Observing Current Research in Mali and Learning Experiments for Research Concerning Anopheles Mosquitoes at Virginia Tech
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