Three researchers in the School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University are recipients of grants from the United States Department of Agriculture. Two of the projects are related to fruits and vegetables research, and will be conducted in collaboration with A&T’s new Center of Excellence for Post Harvest Technologies at the new North Carolina Research Campus in Kannapolis.

• Dr. Mohamed Ahmedna, associate professor in the Food and Nutritional Sciences Program, has received $198,000 to develop new college courses and a childhood nutritional education program aimed at curbing overweight and obesity in preschoolers by encouraging them to eat diets rich in fruits and vegetables. Nationwide, approximately 14 percent of children 2 - 5 are overweight or obese.


• Dr. Ipek Goktepe, assistant professor in the Food and Nutritional Sciences Program, has received $255,000 to research a new packaging technology that could make fresh spinach and other leafy greens safe from E.coli and other pathogens.


• Dr. Anthony Yeboah, chair of the Department of Agribusiness, Applied Economics and Agriscience Education, received $136,000 to improve global education and study abroad opportunities for students, which A&T has identified as crucial to preparing students for a global economy.

For additional information, contact Laurie Gengenbach at 336.334.7048 or lagengen@ncat.edu.