IMPROVING SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTATION FOR STUDENT SUCCESS IN PUERTO RICO (ISISS-PR)

Non Technical Summary
Worldwide, food-borne pathogens pose significant hazards to the food supply. At the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez (UPRM), we are conscious of preparing a robust mass of Hispanic scientists well-trained to detect food-borne and environmental microorganisms and characterize their pathogenic potential and antimicrobial resistance. By acquiring crucial equipment, we will increase the capacity of research performed in UPRM, providing essential and state-of-the-art instrumentation for underrepresented minorities to work on the current challenges of the food and agricultural sciences. Maximizing efforts of external sources of funding that support research and target retention, the ISISS-PR provides the instrumentation that maximizes the capacity for research at UPRM to increase the number of publications by faculty and students. By providing instrumentation and training, we expect to increase the faculty preparation for teaching, maximizing the exposure to food and agricultural sciences. The project's expected benefits include24 students participating in research projects, three faculty will participating in workshops, 90 students using the equipment, and 150 undergraduates participating in seminars. Our goal is to increase the critical mass of Hispanic scientists pursuing careers in NIFA HSI priority areas of food, agricultural sciences, and related disciplines.