Undergraduate Research Scholars Program

The Undergraduate Research Scholars Program is a one- to two-year program for juniors and seniors that provides a thorough grounding in “real world” research methods. Sophomores and juniors in the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences with a minimum GPA of 3.0 may apply.

As a participant in the Undergraduate Research Scholars Program, you will investigate a topic that interests you, owning your project from start to finish. In the process, you will find yourself stretching and growing in ways you never dreamed possible as you join a vibrant and inspiring community of scholars at N.C. A&T and beyond.

How it works

Working closely with a faculty mentor, you will write a research proposal, create a work plan and budget, gather approvals from the university administration, buy materials, set up experiments or surveys, and collect and analyze data. You will write up and publish your findings and present them to colleagues at professional conferences. Scholars are paid for their time and supported in their travel to conferences.

As a researcher, you can be the first person in the world to discover the answer to a question. As a participant in the Undergraduate Research Scholars Program, you can become part of making a better future for us all. That’s the best reason to talk to your advisor or a faculty mentor about becoming a research scholar.

Please begin by browsing the list of faculty mentors and arrange a meeting with those whose research interests correspond with your long-term goals and career aspirations.

How to apply

To apply for the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences’ Undergraduate Research Scholars Program, please contact the Office of Agricultural Research to receive an application.

Email: aymccall@ncat.edu
Phone: (336) 285-4701
Hours: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday-Friday

COHORT 16

Headshot of Genesis Ibrahim-Balogun
Scholar: Genesis Ibrahim-Balogun
Project: Two Decades of Change: Seasonal Patterns and Long-Term Evaluations in WQI for Two Greensboro Streams
Department: Natural Resources and Environmental Design
Mentor: Porche Spence, Ph.D.
Headshot of Sydney Bryson
Scholar: Sydney Bryson
Project: Effects of Nitrogen on Root Traits in Fiber Hemp
Department: Natural Resources and Environmental Design
Mentor: Arnab Bhowmik, Ph.D.
Headshot of Sydnie Cobb
Scholar: Sydnie Cobb
Project: Lipid Structure and Thermal Effects as Drivers of Aroma Release in Crystalline and Emulsified Fat Systems
Department: Family and Consumer Sciences
Mentor: Roberta Claro Da Silva, Ph.D.
Headshot of Ryan Jones
Scholar: Ryan Jones
Project: Assessing the Economic Viability of Specialty Crop Production in North Carolina
Department: Agribusiness, Applied Economics, Agriscience Education
Mentor: Kenrett Jefferson-Moore, Ph.D.
Headshot of Mahagani Lasciers
Scholar: Mahagani Lasciers
Project: Fabrication and Evaluation of Smart Paper-based Indicators Using Anthocyanin and Curcumin for Monitoring Food Spoilage
Department: Family and Consumer Sciences
Mentor: Reza Tahergorabi, Ph.D.
Headshot of Chanelle Russell
Scholar: Chanelle Russell
Project: Characterization of biomarkers for pregnancy and lipid metabolism in A2A2 Jersey Cattle peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs)
Department: Animal Sciences
Mentor: Lauren Mayo, Ph.D.
Headshot of Anisa Scott
Scholar: Anisa Scott
Project: Phytogenic modulation of the rumen ecosystem: Impacts on methane emissions, pH and microbial diversity in dairy cows
Department: Animal Sciences
Mentor: Uchenna Anele, Ph.D.
Headshot of Aristotle Verrios
Scholar: Aristotle Verrios
Project: Stochastic Dominance and Crop Risk Management in Flood-Prone Counties of North Carolina
Department: Agribusiness, Applied Economics, Agriscience Education
Mentor: Godfrey Ejimakor, Ph.D.
Headshot of Samayya Walters
Scholar: Samayya Walters
Project: Physicochemical and Microbiological Evaluation of Plant-Based Cheeses During Refrigerated Storage
Department: Family and Consumer Sciences
Mentor: Reza Tahergorabi, Ph.D.

COHORT 15

Headshot of iyanna Anthony
Scholar: Tiyanna Anthony
Project: Evaluation of Pasture Quality, Total Mixed Ration Quality, and Voluntary Milking System Milk Yield in A2A2 Jersey Herd
Department: Animal Sciences
Mentor: Lauren Mayo, Ph.D.
Headshot of Karla Branch
Scholar: Karla Branch
Project: "From Bright Leaf to Berkshires" Extension Outreach Program for Small-Scale Farmers in the Tobacco Belt
Department: Animal Sciences
Mentor: Derrick Coble, Ph.D.
Headshot of Addison Bonner
Scholar: Addison Bonner
Project: Transcriptomic Insights into the Antimicrobial Effects of an Essential Oil Blend Against Bacillus Subtilis
Department: Animal Sciences
Mentor: Uchenna Anele, Ph.D.
Headshot of Hayla Scott
Scholar: Hayla Scott
Project: Using Western Blotting to Investigate the Role of Moringa Oleifera on NF-kappa B Activation in T Cells
Department: Animal Sciences
Mentor: Radiah Minor, Ph.D.
Headshot of Eden Harris
Scholar: Eden Harris
Project: Development of a Laboratory Medium for the Growth of Lactobacillus Bulgaricus Using Cucumber By-Product
Department: Family and Consumer Sciences
Mentor: Salam Ibrahim, Ph.D.
Headshot of Customize Toolbar
Scholar: Alexandria Pezzano
Project: The Effect of Garlic Scape Extract on Intestinal Glucose Transporters in Vitro
Department: Family and Consumer Sciences
Mentor: Hye Won Kang, Ph.D.
Headshot of Alyssa Simon
Scholar: Alyssa Simon
Project: Comparative Analysis of Deep-Fat Frying and Sous-Vide Cooking on the Physicochemical Attributes of Plant-Based Surimi
Department: Family and Consumer Sciences
Mentor: Reza Tahergorabi, Ph.D.
Headshot of Kevin Battle
Scholar: Kevin Battle
Project: Viability of Small-Scale Aquaponics as a Sustainable Nutrient Supply for Urban Agriculture
Department: Natural Resources and Environmental Design
Mentor: Blessing Masasi, Ph.D.

COHORT 14

Headshot of Erika Pearsall
Scholar: Erika Pearsall
Project: Effects of Mushroom Extract on Dovine Oocyte in Vitro Maturation and Lipid Metabolism
Department: Animal Sciences
Mentor: Lauren Mayo, Ph.D.
Headshot of Karla Branch
Scholar: Ja’Quan Battle
Project: A Qualitative Analysis of Consumer Attitudes Towards the Convenience of Value-Added Products in North Carolina
Department: Agribusiness, Applied Economics, Agriscience Education
Mentor: Kenrett Jefferson-Moore, Ph.D.
Headshot of Mackenzie Harrison
Scholar: Mackenzie Harrison
Project: Effect of Short-term Heat Stress on Hematological Parameters and Plasma Metabolome of Florida Cracker Sheep
Department: Animal Sciences
Mentor: Zaira Reyes, Ph.D.
Headshot of Madison Petersen
Scholar: Madison Petersen
Project: Effects of Processing and Seaweed Type on Modification of Rumen Fermentation and Enteric Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Dairy Cattle
Department: Animal Sciences
Mentor: Uchenna Anele, Ph.D.