Training Agricultural Leaders of Tomorrow: Bridging The Gap Between Biology and Engineering

The overall objective of this fellowship program is to cultivate undergraduate students with unique multi-disciplinary skills bridging global food security, agri-ecosystems, and technology to become leaders in agriculture through an immersive, fully supported two-year experience. A recognized weakness of scientific research is the lack of interdisciplinary collaboration and the tendency to work in "silos", where engineers and biologists are typically isolated, resulting in the perception of a gap. This program aims to bridge this gap between undergraduate students by breaking down the barriers of cross-discipline communication. The undergraduate fellows will be recruited from underrepresented and diverse backgrounds to: 1. Get exposure to new and different academic, geographic, and social environments, 2. Develop skills necessary for agricultural careers, and 3. Expand professional networks for career opportunities.