This Research Pack Abroad summer research opportunity will provide students the opportunity to sharpen their research skills working with researchers at the World Vegetable Center
Summer 2026
KENYA
Students will engage in the following primarily field based activities to support traditional African leafy vegetable production research in Central Kenya:
- Attend farmer training sessions and forums
- Agroecological production of Traditional African Vegetables
- Markets and marketing
- Vegetable production and nutrition
- Assess progress of farmer fields/farms towards achieving agroecological wellness (soil health, abundance of beneficial insects, environmental health) etc.
- Identify farms embracing agrobiodiversity (crop and animal diversity for resilience)
- Climate resilience (Water conservation at farm level)
- Data collection for the whole farm modelling
- TAVI (Traditional African Vegetable Initiative) School gardens: interact with the school communities to equip school children with skills that enable them to be self-reliant in producing highly nutritious and safe food.
African leafy vegetables are rich in micronutrients such as calcium, selenium, zinc, beta-carotene, iron, and folate, and offer a range of health and medicinal benefits. In Kenya, they are largely grown and marketed by women and youth, making important contributions to household income, food, and nutrition security. Through the school gardens, tens of thousands of children benefitted directly from enriched diets which were made available at the pilot schools and neighbourhood care points, along with nutrition education and awareness raising.
TANZANIA
Students will be engaged in key activities that are center to the operation of the Arusha Genebank
- Characterization of Vegetable Crops
- Students will participate in the characterization of African traditional vegetables (TAVs) using WorldVeg crop-specific descriptors. This will involve recording key plant traits such as morphology and agronomic performance. Through this process, students will develop practical skills in documenting crop diversity and understand how trait data not only informs breeding priorities and conservation strategies but also enhances the utilization of TAVs by users (students, researchers, breeders, and seed companies).
- Regeneration of Vegetable Crops
- Students will participate in regeneration activities when seed lots are low in quantity or viability. They will observe and contribute to field practices such as isolation techniques, controlled pollination, and population size management to maintain genetic integrity. This
hands-on work will provide experience in seed regeneration under genebank standards to ensure long-term conservation and use.
- Students will participate in regeneration activities when seed lots are low in quantity or viability. They will observe and contribute to field practices such as isolation techniques, controlled pollination, and population size management to maintain genetic integrity. This
- Seed Quality Management
- Students will participate in routine seed quality assessments, including germination testing and the application of dormancy-breaking treatments (e.g., cold treatment or soaking). They will learn how seed viability is monitored, and how decisions are made regarding which seed lots are suitable for medium- and long-term storage or distribution.
- Support for the Healthy Diet Seed Kit Program
- Students will also contribute to the preparation of seed kits that supply diverse, climate resilient, and nutrient-rich vegetable seeds for home and school gardening programs. This will include steps such as seed multiplication, cleaning, quality testing, and packing. through this activity, students will understand how genebank materials are directly linked to improving household nutrition, dietary diversity, and resilience at community level. Additionally, they will participate in a field visit to the nearby households and schools that
benefited from the Healthy Diet Seed Kit program.
- Students will also contribute to the preparation of seed kits that supply diverse, climate resilient, and nutrient-rich vegetable seeds for home and school gardening programs. This will include steps such as seed multiplication, cleaning, quality testing, and packing. through this activity, students will understand how genebank materials are directly linked to improving household nutrition, dietary diversity, and resilience at community level. Additionally, they will participate in a field visit to the nearby households and schools that
Information
Courses: Independent Study (3 credits)
Program Dates: 2 months during the summer – anytime between Mid-May to August
Deadlines
- Scholarships Application Deadline: Apply by February 15, 2026
- Application Deadline: Rolling admissions through December 12, 2025
Cost
- Students cover the cost of their airfare, housing in Kenya/Tanzania and food directly
- World Vegetable Center will help the students find housing
- Students register their participation through Study Abroad Independent Study/Research Abroad
- $75 non-refundable application fee
- $150 Study Abroad Fee
How to Apply
- Email resume/CV to Dr. Adrienne Tucker at adrienne_tucker@ncsu.edu
- Specify preferred partner institution and research interest in email
- Schedule a meeting with Dr. Tucker to discuss your research goals and to identify the best mentor