1. Zoom Workshop “CRISPR/Cas mediated genome editing in plants” (2021)
Dr. Srivastava conducted a workshop entitled “CRISPR/Cas mediated genome editing in plants”. The workshop consisting of a total of 6 recorded zoom lectures of One1⁄2 hours each (total 9 hours). 19 participants attended the workshop from UAF, UALR, OSU, and Langston University. The participants consisted of graduate students, postdocs, and faculty (10 females and 9 males).
See recorded lectures here https://rice-hnt-stress.uark.edu/crispr-cas9-video-lectures/.
2. Zoom Workshop “Genetic Variation -the key to Crop Improvement” (May 19-20 , 2021)
Dr. Pereira and STEM Center for Mathematics and Science Education (CMASE, UAF) organized a virtual outreach activity for 8th -12th grade students. This event was conducted remotely as an e-Workshop. Multiple technical methods and scientific principles were introduced to study genetic variation in various rice accession lines from around the world and a collection of mutants of the plant genetics model Arabidopsis. The workshop also conducted hands-on training using bioinformatics tools, e.g., to search for homologous sequences in databases for various DNA sequences of the rice genome, multiple sequence alignments, and phylogenetic tree construction using genetic variants.
See details of the workshop here https://wordpressua.uark.edu/rice-hnt-stress/uaf-stem-workshop-2021/
3. On Campus Workshop “Rice: Genetic Variation Student & Teacher Workshop” (July 21-24, 2019)
STEM Center for Mathematics and Science Education (CMASE) supported by NSF-EPSCoR hosted this workshop on the UAF campus for 8th -12th grade students. The activities involved hands-on training on rice planting using established soil mixture for heat stress experiments, measuring physiological parameters such photosynthesis and other gas exchange parameters using advanced equipment such LICOR, SPAD, and PhotoSynQ and recording the physiological, morphological, grain yield, quality data, and their statistical analysis. Training on basic molecular biology techniques such as DNA extraction, gel electrophoresis, and PCR using diverse rice genotypes was also provided.
Details of the workshop can be found here https://rice-hnt-stress.uark.edu/rice-genetic-variation-2019/
Photo Credit: Dr. Mariya Khodakovskaya (University of Arkansas, Little Rock)
Bioinformatics Zoom Workshop “Galaxy Bioinformatics Platform for omics research” (May 6, 2021)
Dr. Khodakovskaya organized a Zoom bioinformatics workshop for students and faculty of all participating campuses. 20 participants across UALR, UAF, OSU, and LSU attended the whole-day workshop that lasted five hours. The invited speaker was Dr. Philip Hudson Williams, Bioinformatics Technical Director UA Little Rock.
Other Outreach Activities
- Minority Program: Organization of workshops/laboratory trainings for students of Philander Smith College (private historically black college)
- Undergraduate Training: Research projects for undergraduate students of UA Little Rock
- Support of K-12: Research projects for K-12 students (Little Rock School District)
1. Workshop on Rice Genetic Variation (2021)
Louisiana State University and University of Arkansas (Fayetteville) hosted the workshop for high school students.
2. Outreach Program with 4-H (continued through 2021)
Dr. Famoso continued an outreach program through Lanette Hebert, Southwest Region 4-H coordinator to teach genetic principles with hands-on plant materials. This has developed into a 4-H school enrichment project led by Mrs. Hebert and includes the development of 6 hours of material and a field trip to the HRCRRS to apply Mendelian Genetic principles using rice and tomatoes. In 2020, this activity was converted to an online virtual event.
1. Workshop on “Small RNAs” (2021)
Dr. Sunkar conducted a workshop on “Small RNAs” for Langston University undergraduate students. The lecture/demo was also recorded and made available to the participants. The workshop was attended by 22 Langston University undergraduate students and 3 professors.
2. Virtual Training on “Small RNAs” (2021)
Dr. Sunkar offered a virtual training on small RNAs to a high school Junior from Bridgewater Raritan High School, Bridgewater, NJ.
3. Participation in Professional Development Series (2021)
NSF-EPSCoR Oklahoma is also offering Professional development series and the Sunkar lab members have participated in these lectures in 2021, and, will continue participating in future series of lectures.