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Research Day Fall 2024:
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.
Register Here: https://forms.office.com/r/nQRRCcPBDc
- 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 watermelons, biopesticides, plant physiology, microbiome, and bioinformatics analysis of genes.
Instrumentation Day Fall 2024:
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:
- Sample preparation for DNA, gel electrophoresis, and quantification on Nanodrop and Qubit.
- RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis, and qRT-PCR-related reaction preparation and analysis on the instrument.
- Photosynthesis measurements using LI-COR 6800 and chlorophyll fluorescence using LI-COR 600.
- Sample preparation and HPLC analysis of microbial products.
Instrumentation Day Spring 2024:
Research Day Spring 2024:
Farm Day Summer 2024:
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.
Register Here: https://forms.office.com/r/ay393M0KL6
- 20 students from @UHEngineering and @tamuhort participated in Farm Day to get exposure to 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 in agriculture.
- Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) in action.
Climate Smart Workshop 2024:
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!
Register Here: https://forms.office.com/r/uHg5Ubjwrv
- 18 students (undergraduate and graduate) participated in the Climate Smart Workshop organized at the Horticulture Department, Texas A&M University, College Station, in collaboration with Engineering Technology, University of Houston. During the three-day training workshop, students learned:
- How to grow hydroponic-based food production systems.
- The role of microbes and biostimulants in maintaining plant growth.
- About high-throughput phenotyping greenhouse facilities through on-site visits.
Biotech Entrepreneurship 2024:
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 of this opportunity to develop communication skills by presenting your findings to peers and learning from their presentations.
Register Here: https://forms.office.com/r/gG2EDSqL0u
- Approximately 20 students (8 graduate students and 12 undergraduate students) 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 students understand the basic concepts of entrepreneurship and how to develop their technological innovations into new businesses. Additionally, Dr. Hwang provided exemplary cases of social entrepreneurship in the tech industry, offering insights for practical applications.
- In the second session, Dr. Tanu Chatterji, an associate director of startup development and adjunct faculty of entrepreneurship at the Bauer College of Business, introduced the Lean Canvas Model. This one-page business plan helps break down a product or business model, question and test assumptions, and determine if the idea is viable. The model serves as an effective tool for college students looking to establish new businesses.
Summer Lab Assistantship Program 2024: