Central State University receives over $1.6 million in research and education funding

Central State University has received over $1.6 million in research and education funding from the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA).  

The three innovative projects that have received funding will focus on unmanned aerial systems (UAS), nutrition education and weight management, and the use of a species of perennial flower to improve honey production.   

One proposal, “Building Education and Research Capacity of Unmanned Aerial Systems at Central State University,” received $598,814 in USDA NIFA funding. It will strengthen Central State’s unmanned aerial systems educational capacity by developing new courses and providing practical teaching materials.  

Xiaofang Wei, Ph.D., leads the Central State research team, supported by Ramanitharan Kandiah, Ph.D., and Deng Cao, Ph.D. The project will take three years and plans to involve a total of 30 students for three academic years.  

“This effort expands undergraduate student participation in UAS research through internships and fellowships opportunities. It enables faculty to participate in UAS research and add to the knowledge of thermal remote sensing, especially UAS thermal sensing for surface temperature, evapotranspiration, and soil moisture research,” Wei said. 

A total of $600,000 in USDA NIFA funds will support the Central State-led initiative, “Nutrition education and outreach program to address and prevent obesity in minority communities: Application of nutrigenomics.” Researchers will utilize cutting-edge technology to understand the interaction between nutrition and genes, ultimately aiming to reduce obesity in the targeted populations.  

The Central State research team consists of Pratibha Gupta, Ph.D., research associate professor of food nutrition and health, and project grant director; and Mortenous Johnson, director, TRIO Student Support Services. The research will be supported by individuals from Lincoln University, Kentucky State University, the University of Toledo, and Ace Integrative Health in Mason, Ohio. Two Central State students will be involved as research assistants and data analysts. The project will take three years and include 300 participants.  

“Our service is tailored to provide personalized nutrition plans and lifestyle recommendations based on one's unique genetic profile. We believe that this groundbreaking approach will revolutionize weight management for those facing challenges in this area,” Gupta said. 

The agricultural project, “Perennial flower species to improve crop and honey production in sustainable agricultural systems for Ohio,” received $497,884 from the USDA NIFA. It will investigate the use of silflower, a perennial prairie plant, to increase the honey production of honeybees in Ohio.  

Central State’s Marcus Nagle, Ph.D., research assistant professor of soil science, and Hongmei Li-Byarlay, Ph.D., research assistant professor of entomology, will collaborate with Ebony Murrell, Ph.D., of The Land Institute (TLI). Central State students will fill two assistant positions to support the research, which will take place from 2023 to 2026. 

 “CSU and TLI will combine crop, honeybee, social, and economic data gathered through the project, which will be used to inform Midwestern farmers and beekeepers on the benefits of perennial crops for improving yields and profits while increasing the sustainability of both industries,” Nagle said.  

 “These projects are a demonstration of Central State University faculty’s pursuit of academic excellence. These Extension educational and research grants will greatly benefit the public as CSU seeks solutions to address societal issues,” said Morakinyo Kuti, Ph.D., interim dean of the John W. Garland College of Engineering, Science, Technology, and Agriculture, director of the 1890 Land-Grant Programs, and associate provost for research.