NIFA Grant Funds Eight-Week Research Experience
From May 20 to July 12, eight undergraduates from various universities participated in an eight-week Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates (REEU) program at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (TAMU-CC). The program, which combines computer and agricultural science-based activities, was led by Dr. Lucy Huang, Associate Professor of Geospatial Science, and funded by a grant from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
The program saw students explore a range of topics including data science, agronomy, and geographic information science (GIS). To gain hands-on experience in agricultural practices, students were later divided into groups and assigned research projects.
One such group worked on a project titled, “Soil Moisture Map Using Volumetric Water Content,” which involved the use of handheld devices to measure soil moisture across experimental plots. They studied the impact of various treatments such as rainfall, half irrigation, and full irrigation, on different genetic variants of plants. Another group’s project, “Measuring Crop Water Stress Index Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Imagery,” consisted of calculating the crop water stress index in cotton. Using thermal images from a Freefly Astro drone, which were then processed using Agisoft Metashape and QGIS, the group was able to assess the temperature of the crop canopy, and thereby assess the water stress levels in the plants. Both groups aimed to develop a precise and cost-effective irrigation scheduling system to optimize water use and improve crop growth.
Reflecting on his experiences in the program, University of Texas at San Antonio computer science major Dylan Yanez was particularly impressed by the supportive environment TAMU-CC cultivated for graduate students.
“Working closely with doctoral and master's students has not only guided our research but offered valuable mentorship in life beyond our academics,” Yanez said. “This sense of community and the personal connections I’ve built here has made my experience so special.”
Genesis Ibrahim-Balogun, an Agriculture and Environmental Studies major at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, shared similar thoughts regarding her impression of the program.
“This interactive experience deepened my understanding of agricultural sciences,” she said. “From working with high-tech drones to coding with Python, the program consistently involved real-world applications, which ultimately enhanced my problem-solving skills both inside and outside the classroom.”
Invigorated by the program, the students returned to their respective universities with a renewed enthusiasm for research and expressed their anticipation for future research programs at TAMU-CC. Their experiences highlight the significance of hands-on learning opportunities in the development of the next generation of STEM professionals.
To learn more about each group's research project and their individual experiences with the REEU program at TAMU-CC, you can check out their story maps here: Story Map of Our 8-Week REEU Program