Project Grant 20213842034947

** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** AS FOOD SECURITY INCREASINGLY BECOMES ONE OF THE WORLD'S GRAND CHALLENGES, PLANT DISEASES REDUCE THE YIELD AND QUALITY OF CROPS. LOSSES AFFECT ALL MAJOR WORLD CROPS AND FORCE GROWERS INTO SPENDING RESOURCES TO CONTROL DISEASES, OFTEN WITH NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES TO THE ENVIRONMENT AND HUMAN HEALTH. THE GOAL OF THIS PROJECT IS TO TRAIN AND MENTOR FOUR UNDER-REPRESENTED MINORITY DOCTORAL FELLOWS TO MANAGE PLANT DISEASES SUSTAINABLY. THE PROGRAM WILL PROVIDE EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING AND LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES UTILIZING THE CLEMSON UNIVERSITY EXPERIMENT STATION AND ITS CONNECTIONS WITH STAKEHOLDERS. FELLOWS WILL FULFILL A RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT IN ONE OF THE RESEARCH AND EDUCATION CENTERS, COMPLETE AN EXTENSION LEADERSHIP TRAINING, AND GAIN HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE IN THE UNIVERSITY'S PLANT AND PEST DIAGNOSTIC CLINIC. THE PROGRAM ALSO INCLUDES A CORE CURRICULUM IN PLANT PATHOLOGY WITH A FOCUS ON TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR TEACHING. PROJECT OBJECTIVES ARE TO TRAIN A COHESIVE COHORT OF DOCTORAL STUDENTS TO: 1) CONDUCT TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH THROUGH DISSERTATION PROJECTS THAT UTILIZE A SYSTEMS APPROACH, 2) COMPLETE COURSEWORK FOR A SOLID BACKGROUND IN PLANT PATHOLOGY AND THE PRINCIPLES OF SUSTAINABILITY, 3) DEVELOP EFFECTIVE SKILLS IN COMMUNICATION AND LEADERSHIP NEEDED FOR CONNECTING WITH KEY SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITIES AND STAKEHOLDERS, AND 4) INCREASE THE DIVERSITY OF THE NATION'S SCIENTIFIC EXPERTISE IN THE FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES. BY HELPING TO DEVELOP THE NEXT GENERATION OF SCIENTISTS THAT ADVANCE FOOD SECURITY, THIS PROJECT ALIGNS WITH USDA STRATEGIC GOAL NO. 2.