Posted on: December 14th, 2023 by Mark WP Admin No Comments
Our professors are devoted to the USDA-HSI program, actively shaping the future of agriscience and biotechnology. Join us as we pave the way for innovative contributions and empower the next generation of leaders in these vital fields.
Dr. Abdul Latif Khan has received a Ph.D. in Plant Physiology from the School of Applied Biosciences, Kyungpook National University, South Korea. Over the years, his expertise has been in Plant-Stress Interactions to understand molecular mechanisms and biosynthetic pathways involved in climate stress tolerance. He also studies microbiome engineering to improve plant production systems with the least energy and carbon footprints. His lab is establishing a synthetic microbiome for healthy food and increased plant growth. He has also worked on economically and medicinally important plants to understand their genome organization and novel phytochemical biosynthetic pathways. He is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Engineering Technology, Cullen College of Engineering, University of Houston, USA. He has been the associate editor of the Journal of Plant Growth Regulation since 2020. He has more than 15 years of education and research with more than 17,000 citations (h-index 71).
Dr. Yuheng Lin is a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Biotechnology in the Department of Engineering Technology at the University of Houston (UH). He holds a Ph.D. in Biological Engineering from the University of Georgia. Leading the Engineering Microbiology Lab, Dr. Lin’s research focuses on the design and engineering of microorganisms using metabolic engineering and synthetic biology approaches for biomanufacturing, agriculture, and medical applications. He has authored over 30 journal articles, including many publications in high-impact journals like Nature Communications, Metabolic Engineering, Current Opinion in Biotechnology, and ACS Synthetic Biology. In addition, he has filed six patents as a major inventor.
Dr. Venkatesh Balan has been an Associate professor at the Engineering Technology Department at Cullen College of Technology, University of Houston, since September 2017. His research concentrates on Biomass conversion to fuels, chemicals, edible mushrooms, animal feed, and biomaterials. Other areas of expertise include developing methods of producing and processing algal biomass to proteins, biofuel, and biochemical, adding value to mushroom industrial waste, and annotating fungal genes to identify novel enzymes for industrial application. He has published over 188 publications, awarded 9 patents with >15,940 citations to his credit, and edited a couple of books related to biomass conversion and microbial lipids. He has also been an expert reviewer for numerous scientific journals and on several scientific review panels.
Dr. Hyunseok Hwang is an assistant professor of sociology who earned a Ph.D. in sociology and an MPA from Texas A&M University. His academic interests encompass organization theory, environmental sociology, community resilience, philanthropic studies, and social entrepreneurship. His research has a central theme of exploring how individuals and organizations respond to institutional heterogeneity, significant societal challenges, and issues affecting organizational sustainability, particularly in the context of grand social and environmental challenges.
Dr. Shuyang Zhen is an assistant professor in Controlled Environment Agriculture/Horticulture at Texas A&M University. She received her Ph.D. in Horticulture from the University of Georgia and worked as a post-doctoral fellow at Utah State University before joining TAMU in 2020. Her current research focuses on environmental plant physiology, electric lighting, photobiology, and optimizing fresh food production in greenhouses, indoor farms, and for space exploration. She teaches an undergraduate-level course on hydroponic food crop production and a graduate-level course on environmental instrumentation.
Dr. Albert Flavier is an Instructional Professor at the Engineering Technology Department at Cullen College of Technology, University of Houston. His specialty is microbial biotechnology, explicitly focusing on the genetic mechanisms of plant pathogens. In addition, he has several years of research and analysis related to antibody and protein engineering. He teaches several courses on the genetic engineering of microbes and their uses for human and plant health.
Posted on: December 14th, 2023 by Mark WP Admin No Comments
We will provide experiential learning (EL) and project-based learning (PBL) activities by involving BS/MS students in advanced research on plant growth and physiology, crop production, genetic engineering, plant biotechnology, microbial biotechnology, cell culture, breeding, and biocontrol areas. These activities are designed for undergraduate and graduate students to improve their research, leadership, critical thinking, and communication skills.
Instrumentation and Experimentation Day (Senior Students):
Understanding and operating highly advanced instruments is essential for students to gain technical skills for future jobs. Similarly, familiarization with troubleshooting and understanding critical steps is crucial for performing experiments related to agriculture biotechnology. Students will attend a one-day training on the instruments used in Agrisciences fields. A faculty mentor and project team member will be assigned to show the instruments and run specific samples from plants, soil, or microbes.
Register when this event becomes available next semester!
During Spring 2024, a total of 22 students (undergraduate and graduate) participated in the Instrumentation Day. The students were given an opportunity to learn and gain skills about (i) Samaples preparation for DNA, gel electrophoresis and quantification on nanodrop and Qubit, (ii) RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis and qRT-PCR related reaction preparation and analysis on the instrument, (iii) Photosynthesis measurements using LI-COR 6800 and chlorophyll fluorescence using LICOR 600, (iv) sample preparation and HPLC analysis of microbial products.
Research Day (Senior Undergraduate and Graduate Students):
Students will showcase their knowledge and key results obtained while performing a research project. The students will share their experiences with peers, junior students and faculties. The best projects based on a defined rubric will be awarded certificates and prizes.
58 graduate and undergraduate biotechnology students presented collaborative research projects at this year’s Research Day at UH at Sugar Land, hosted by Assistant Professors Abdul Latif Khan, Ph.D., and Lin Yuheng, Ph.D. and sponsored by the USDA-HSI (Hispanic-Serving Institutions) grant program.
Judged by professors from the Cullen College of Engineering, the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, and industry professionals, student teams gave poster presentations and elevator pitches of their research work, showcasing their innovation, leadership, and investigative skillsets.
The project topics included genetic engineering of water melons, biopesticides, plant physiology, microbiome and bioinformatics analysis of genes.
Biotechnology Farm Day (Senior Undergraduate and Graduate Students):
Tailored for undergraduate and MS students specializing in agriculture, this unique program, led by Dr. Zhen, taps into the extensive agriculture extension facilities at TAMU. Students will delve into a series of field-related activities, including visits to TAMU and PVAMU research farms, ecological parks, and industrial sites. Experience the practical side of your studies with group visits, consisting of 5-8 students, for half-day immersions. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to bridge theory with real-world applications in the thriving field of agriculture.
20 students from @UHEngineering and @tamuhort participated in Farm Day to get exposure of existing technologies for producing food (leafy greens) at Kalera-vertical farming facility. During the visit the students observed how automation is used to reduce labor and produce higher yields, how apps and software increase efficiency, and witnessed good manufacturing practices (GMP) in action.
Climate Smart Workshop (Senior Undergraduate and Graduate Students):
Dive into the climate change conversation with our collaborative workshop! Open to all levels of expertise, this engaging event is designed to foster a shared understanding of climate challenges and solutions. Explore innovative ideas, exchange knowledge, and contribute to the collective effort in climate change research. Embrace the power of collaboration – everyone has a role to play. Together, let’s create a sustainable future. Register now and be part of the change!
18 students (undergraduate and graduate) participated in climate smart workshop organized at Horticulture Department, Texas A&M University, College Station in collaboration with Engineering Technology, University of Houston. In three day training workshop, the student learn how to grow hydroponic based food production system, how microbes and biostimulants can help maintain the plant growth, and visit to high throughput phenotypying greenhouse facilities.
Biotech Peer Research Cafe (Senior Undergraduate and Graduate Students):
For two hours a month, students can practice and discuss their communication and writing skills for their upcoming research careers. Both undergraduate and graduate students will be able to support each other through peer review, presentations, and exchanging of ideas. Students will also be able to receive mentorship from Ph.D. students and faculty to even further develop their skills.
06 graduate students participated in Peer Research Cafe. It was lead by Dr. Lin, where students shared their research experiences and challanges faced during implementing their research work.
Biotech Entrepreneurship Workshop (Senior Undergraduate and Graduate Students):
Demonstrate strong foundational knowledge through research and in the development of a research project. Students will be able to showcase their knowledge and skills in literature reviews, project timelines and deadlines, and presenting their findings in a concise manner. Take advantage to develop their communication skills by presenting your findings to their peers and learning from their peer’s presentations.
Approximately 20 students (8 graduate students and 12 undergraduate students), both undergraduate and graduate, from biotechnology and engineering attended the workshop.
For the social entrepreneurship session, Dr. Hyunseok Hwang, an assistant professor of sociology at the University of Houston, gave a talk on the introduction and application of social entrepreneurship in the field of biotechnology. This session helped biotechnology and engineering students understand the basic concepts of entrepreneurship and how to develop their technological innovations into new businesses. Additionally, Dr. Hwang provided many exemplary cases of social entrepreneurship in the tech industry, giving students insights into applying these concepts in their practices.
In the second session, we had Dr. Tanu Chatterji, an associate director of startup development and adjunct faculty of entrepreneurship at the Bauer College of Business, as our guest speaker. Dr. Chatterji introduced the Lean Canvas Model, a one-page business plan that helps break down a product or business model, question and test assumptions, and determine if the idea is viable. This model is an effective tool for college students who may not yet have the concepts and insights needed to establish a new business.
BTEC Program Seminar Series (All students):
Join our exclusive seminar series where leading experts and visionaries in the field share their insights, discoveries, and groundbreaking research. Don’t miss this golden opportunity to be inspired, learn from the best, and pave the way for your own success. Elevate your understanding, expand your network, and be part of the biotech revolution.
A New Seminar Every Month!
A total of 3 invited speakers have presented their research work and life experiences on how they undertook the research path.
BTEC Research Club Series (Junior Students):
Embark on an intellectual journey with our Research Club! Unleash your curiosity as we delve into the art of crafting research hypotheses, navigating literature reviews, mastering experimental design, honing time management skills, perfecting protocol procedures, and collecting valuable data. Join us in stimulating discussions and learn the fine art of writing impactful reports and manuscripts. Ignite your passion for research and let’s explore the exciting world of discovery together!
As part of our efforts to create experiential learning opportunities, we successfully conducted the Biotechnology Research Club, a 10-session program designed for undergraduate students. The club focused on introducing various aspects of research methodologies in biotechnology, including experiment planning, literature review, experimental design, data collection and interpretation, and scientific writing.
Participation: 15 undergraduate students registered for the program.
Content coverage: The club covered a wide range of topics relevant to biotechnology research, providing students with a comprehensive overview of the research process.
Student feedback: Participants rated the club sessions highly, found the content relevant and expressed a willingness to recommend the club to their peers.
Skills development: Students benefited from preparing and delivering presentations, which enhanced their understanding of the topics and improved their communication skills.
Areas for improvement: Participants suggested incorporating more career guidance, detailed instruction on thesis development, peer mentoring opportunities, and interactive elements to further engage students.
Posted on: December 14th, 2023 by Mark WP Admin No Comments
Experiential learning activities in Climate-smart plant production:
Controlled Environment Agriculture
Innovative, climate-resilient, and sustainable approaches to intensifying agricultural production are needed to meet the rising global demand for food and nutrition. This is particularly important due to the increasing water scarcity and agricultural land. Crop production in controlled environment facilities such as hydroponics and aeroponics offers new solutions to address these issues. Controlling the growing environments (light, CO2 concentration, temperature, substrate, and nutrient supply to plants) in food production systems results in higher crop yield, improved nutritional qualities, reduced usage of pesticides/fungicides, and food safety.
Learning outcome: Students will learn how to enhance crop productivity, produce quality crops, utilize resources efficiently, and reduce energy inputs.
Developing climate-smart microbiome species with plant growth-promoting traits
Experiential learning activities in Microbiomes:
Microbial consortiums are significant players in plant stress tolerance. Students participating in the program will investigate the functional role of phytohormone-producing microbial consortium in the rhizosphere in activating plant resistance during climatic stresses. The students will be involved in answering critical questions such as (i) What core microbiome is lost or gained during temperature variations? (ii) how do core microbiomes function in higher or lower stress intensities?
Learning outcome: Students will learn microbial identification techniques and identify changes in metabolic capabilities of the changing microbial populations (iii) what phytohormone biosynthetic gene networks exist in rhizosphere microbes at single or consortium levels? Students will understand plant-microbiome-stress interactions to identify molecular and signaling mechanisms.
Experiential learning activities in Biocontrol agents for pathogen-resistant:
Cordyceps mushrooms (C. sinesis and C. militaris) contain antifungal and insect control compounds. These are entomopathogenic fungi that can infect insects that do not require ingestion. It is suggested that plants may be inoculated as endophytic organisms to provide systemic protection. Previous researchers have demonstrated reasonable control of the soil-borne pest coconut root grub in sandy soil through simple physical introduction into the root zone root zone 7-10. Students will learn how to cultivate cordyceps mushrooms in controlled environments using commercially obtained spore. Biocontrol molecules such as cordycepin, cordicepic acid, adenosine, and hydroxyethyl adenosine present Cordyceps will be extracted using ethanol and tested using Liquid chromatography followed by mass spectrometry.
Learning outcome: Students will learn how to produce cordyceps and extract and quantify the molecule using LC-MS.
Design and reconstruct a biosynthetic pathway in a suitable microbial host strain:
Students will learn how to immobilize microorganisms and the concentration of biomass-degrading enzymes secreted
Reconstructing Biosynthetic Pathways
under varying conditions. They will measure the sugar conversion as a function of time by measuring the concentration using HPLC. These fermentable sugars will produce different biocontrol microorganisms, Agrobacterium, Alcaligenes, Arthrobacter, Bacillus, Rhizobium, Serratia, Streptomyces, and Xanthomonas.
Learning outcome: Students will learn how to use genetic engineering tools, such as expression vectors and genome editing tools (e.g., CRISPR/Cas9), to introduce pathway enzymes into the microbial cells.
