The National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded a $400,000 Project Grant under the Integrative Activities (IA) program to the University of South Carolina (USC) to investigate the regulation of Drosophila melanogaster oogenesis by amino acid sensing signaling pathways in ovarian and adipose tissues. The 5-year project aims to uncover the cellular and molecular mechanisms that mediate dietary protein sensing and communication between these organs. The research will leverage Drosophila genetics to perturb the amino acid response pathway and identify adipocyte-derived factors that regulate ovarian germline stem cell maintenance and ovulation. The project will engage a postdoctoral fellow, graduate students, and undergraduates, and includes a community outreach program in Columbia, South Carolina to provide K-12 students and caregivers with hands-on STEM experiences related to the research. This grant award reflects NSF's mission to advance scientific knowledge and broader impacts through multidisciplinary research and education.