What we Think and Do drives innovation in plant improvement<\/a>, data-driven plant science<\/a> and resilient agricultural systems<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Learn more about our interdisciplinary research teams and their extraordinary impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Creating a future of vibrant farms, resilient ecosystems and strong communities<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Co-Director: Michelle Schroeder-Moreno<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
CEFS is one of the nation\u2019s most important centers for research, extension and education in sustainable agriculture and community-based food systems. It is recognized as a national and international leader in the local foods movement and celebrated for its work in building consensus around policies, programs and actions. CEFS\u2019 Field Research, Education, and Outreach Facility at Cherry Research Farm in Goldsboro, NC is one of the nation\u2019s leading research and demonstration sites for large-scale organic and sustainable production systems and includes research based out of seven research units.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Advancing knowledge, transparency, and public acceptance of regulatory science in agriculture.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Director: Danesha Seth Carly<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
CERSA collaborates with state and federal agencies, private industry, commodity groups, growers and producers, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and academics to advance regulatory science in agriculture through education, research and engagement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It provides undergraduate and graduate certificates, continuing education training and internships in regulatory science, and sponsored research for the advancement of regulatory science in agriculture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CERSA is co-led by NC State and Louisiana State University.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Industry-focused, cost-effective and sustainable solutions to plant production<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Director: Ricardo Hernandez<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Comprised of research scientists, engineers and in close partnership with industry, the CEA Coalition aims to develop controlled environment agriculture (CEA) as an economically and environmentally sustainable option for agricultural practices by performing evidence-based, transformative research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Accelerating the pace of genome editing in plants and empowering the agricultural industry to adapt quickly.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Director: Timothy Kelliher<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The GEC will play a pivotal role in shaping a prosperous and sustainable food supply for all, develop new plant genome editing tools to shorten the timespan between scientific exploration and the introduction of new plant improvement innovations to farmers and growers and create and spin out new companies to ensure innovative technology reaches those who need it most.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nationwide project on cover crops to improve agricultural sustainability<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Co-Director: Chris Reberg-Horton<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is a five-year, $10 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to improve the sustainability and profitability of agriculture by advancing the study and use of cover crops such as rye, clover and radishes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The interdisciplinary team includes experts from 36 institutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Interdisciplinary research community focused on phosphorus sustainability <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Director: Jacob Jones<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The STEPS Center is a convergent research group addressing the complex challenges in phosphorus sustainability by integrating disciplinary contributions across the physical, life, social, and economic sciences. Although headquartered in the new Plant Sciences Building, the center includes researchers from eight institutions across the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
International Collaboration to Accelerate Integration of Engineering, Plant Sciences & Agricultural Research using Artificial Intelligence<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
This diverse collaboration seeks to support the successful integration of agriculture, life sciences and engineering to resolve scientific and technical gaps as well as social barriers with the overarching goal of ensuring global food security. The three research objectives include: sensor science, engineering, and integration; data mining, machine learning, multi-scale modeling, and AI models; and open-source data and network cyberinfrastructures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Uncovering new methods for CO2<\/sub> management and sustainable fertilizer<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reducing carbon emissions and developing alternative routes for fertilizer production are increasingly urgent challenges facing our world. This interdisciplinary research collaboration between North Carolina State University (NC State) and the Technical University of Denmark (Danmarks Tekniske Universitet, DTU) is funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation (NNF) and will receive 50 million Danish Kroner (DKK), approximately $6.5 million, in funding over five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Interdisciplinary research program targets wheat microbes for resiliency<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Amy Grunden is leading a six-year, $30 million study on the wheat microbiome to make the staple crop more resilient against environmental stresses while reducing the need for chemical treatments and irrigation. The project is supported by the Novo Nordisk Foundation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The University of Copenhagen<\/a>, Aarhus University<\/a> and the Technical University of Denmark<\/a> will collaborate on the project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
System Approach to Promote Learning and Innovation for the Next Generations<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
NC State is co-leading a 5-year, $18 million USDA grant alongside fellow land-grant university N.C. A&T and six other 1890s universities, various national organizations, USDA and private companies. The program aims to grow the number of underrepresented minority students in the food, agriculture, natural resources and human sciences. NC State’s portion, co-led by Cranos Williams and Jon Allen, will create a fellowship program for two graduate students, four undergraduate students and two high school interns. The PSI extension agent network will also receive significant funding to train agents in AI tools..<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Developing smart gadgets that integrate robotics and machine learning to automate labor-intensive tasks in agriculture.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Director: Lirong Xiang<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
With a focus on agricultural robotics, 2D and 3D computer vision, and machine learning, The Automation and Robotics Lab develops cyber-smart physical systems to address agricultural problems. Projects include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Driving the next revolution in plant science and agriculture data analytics<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Director: Cranos Williams<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The EnBiSys Lab is a highly collaborative, multidisciplinary research laboratory, focused on the development of targeted computational and analytical solutions for modeling and controlling biological systems. The solutions we develop are used to build and strengthen the transition from large-scale high-throughput \u2013omics data to highly connected kinetic models in the post-genomic era; models that can be used to attain the depth, understanding, and comprehension needed to manipulate and control biological systems for a defined purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
34 years of research innovation in forest biotechnology<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Founded in 1988, the Forest Biotech Group (FBG) is dedicated to research innovations in forest biotechnology and molecular genetics of tree metabolism to improve growth, development and defense against biotic and abiotic stresses. Their research goal is the domestication of forest trees for conservation and productivity through a systems-level approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Improving crop varieties through genomics and high throughput phenotyping<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Principal Investigator: Joe Gage<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Joe Gage\u2019s research program is focused on linking crop genomic and phenomics to understand how to develop more resilient and productive crop varieties. Current projects include studying how sequence variation controls gene regulation; how gene regulation contributes to genotype-by-environment interactions; and novel methods for processing and interpreting high throughput phenotyping data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Understanding, managing and communicating complex environmental health risks in a post-2020 world<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Principal Investigator: <\/em>Khara Grieger<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To reduce risks and better align benefits with societal values, needs, and expectations, new approaches are urgently needed. Scientists, researchers, industry, government, and other actors will naturally turn towards the development of new technological solutions and products of innovation to secure safe and sustainable futures. At the same time, new innovations and novel technologies can also present unknown risks as well as controversies in society. Well-known examples include first generation of genetically-modified organisms, nanotechnology, geoengineering, new materials for environmental remediation, and even new vaccines. Working interdisciplinarily within science, technology, social sciences, and governance, the Risk Sciences Research Group aims to strategically incorporate practices that foster responsible and sustainable innovation in order to ultimately solve our grand challenges without creating additional challenges themselves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Understanding plant iron deprivation to address global nutritional outcomes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Principal Investigator: Terri Long<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Anemia induced by iron deficiency is one of the most prevalent nutritional disorders in the world. Their research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms that plants use to uptake, transport, and utilize iron, and respond to low iron conditions. Using genomics, molecular biology and genetics, their work is focused on identifying iron deficiency response regulators and their corresponding gene targets, with the long-term goal of elucidating gene regulatory networks involved in plant iron homeostasis. Ultimately, this information may lead to the generation of crops with increased nutritional content and increased yield when grown in poor soils.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Corn breeding and genetics project of the USDA-Agricultural Research Service<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Principal Investigator: Jim Holland<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
This collaborative team aims to characterize the genes underlying important agricultural traits in maize (corn) to develop new breeding lines. Two specific research foci are to improve resistance to Fusarium ear rot in corn and to develop new specialty food corn varieties, including improved heirloom food corns and low protein grain corns for patients with metabolic disorders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Studying diseases to improve disease management for farmers<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Principal Investigator: Lina Quesada-Ocampo<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
This lab leads interdisciplinary studies of diseases of cucurbit crops and sweetpotatoes to deliver novel and improved disease management strategies to growers in North Carolina and to advance our knowledge in the field of vegetable pathology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Making smaller, faster and more capable optical systems for plant and human health.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Principal Investigator: Mike Kudenov<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lab\u2019s major research area is in spectral and polarimetric imaging as it applies to both remote sensing and biomedical imaging applications. Through incorporating novel Polarization Grating (PG) technologies into spectral and polarimetric sensors, the researchers in OSL are increasing the sensor\u2019s spatial, spectral or radiometric performance, or reducing the sensor\u2019s overall size or cost. An emphasis is given on the development of ultra-compact sensors with novel capabilities. From a remote sensing perspective, it can be used to quantify chemicals in the environment, perform quality control in industrial and commercial manufacturing processes, assess water quality and vegetation health, identify targets, and for mineral mapping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Confronting pest pressure in field crops and sweetpotatoes in the southeast<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Principal Investigator: Anders Huseth<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
This lab seek to understand relevant interactions between nature, crops and farmers by revealing harmony and conflict between pest control, environmental and socio-economic goals. Work in the Huseth Lab combines on-farm measurements, manipulative experiments, geospatial science and statistical approaches to understand pest issues in an array of agricultural crops and production systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Detecting, tracking and addressing emerging plant diseases that threaten global food security<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Principal Investigator: Jean Ristaino<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
A major focus of research is to understand the factors that contribute to disease emergence including the epidemiology and population genetics of Oomycete plant pathogens in the genus Phytophthora<\/em>. They study the population genetics and migrations of both historic and present day strains of the pathogen and are now using their genome sequence to develop novel strategies for managing disease in the field, including the development of a platform to be used in the field to monitor disease and recommend amendments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Understanding how carbon and nutrients cycle through plants, soils, microbes, and the environment to inform sustainable land-use practices and address climate change.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Principal Investigator: Debjani Sihi<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Sihi Lab specializes in measuring and modeling soil organic matter dynamics and greenhouse gas emissions from natural and managed ecosystems. They couple data generated from empirical studies and environmental networks with process-based and machine learning models. They use biogeochemical models to evaluate the fate of soil carbon and other ecosystem nutrients in the face of climate change. Their work ranges from the tropics and subtropics to temperate and temperate-boreal transition zones as well as soils from forests, wetlands, grasslands, and agricultural landscapes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Understanding plant stem cells using 3D bioprinting and other innovations for plant improvement<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Principal Investigator: Ross Sozzani<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Sozzani Lab research focuses on understanding how stem cells are organized and maintained in the root of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana<\/em>. Their goal is to gain a coherent qualitative and quantitative understanding of stem cell maintenance at the systems-level. Their research leverages techniques derived from molecular, developmental and cell biology, mathematics, physics, chemistry, computer science and engineering. Their research will reveal a specific molecular pathway of plant stem cells, and provide broader insights into the fundamental properties of stem cells across the plant and animal kingdoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Climate change mitigation and adaptation through sustainable agriculture and improved soil health<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Principal Investigator: Alex Woodley<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
This research program is focused on the mitigation and adaptation to climate change in sustainable agricultural systems through improved soil productivity. Research initiatives include linking soil health indicators to productive agroecosystems, mitigation of soil greenhouse gas emissions, soil carbon sequestration and nutrient management of fertilizers, organic amendments and cover crops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Member of the Climate Adaptation Through Agriculture & Soil Management<\/a> (CASM) research initiative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Advancing the application of remote sensing, robotics, and data science in breeding a diversity of horticultural and specialty crops.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Principal Investigator: Jing Zhang<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first aim of the Translational Plant Phenomics Lab is to use advanced imaging technologies and machine learning algorithms to make plant phenotyping more efficient for crop breeding. By integrating high-throughput methods, they aim to accelerate the selection process for desirable traits, ultimately improving crop resilience and yield. The second aim is to develop innovative strategies for precision crop management that optimize inputs and maximize outputs in agricultural production. Utilizing data-driven approaches, their research seeks to enhance decision-making processes, ensuring sustainable practices and improved crop quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Innovating disease diagnostics by developing cost-effective sensing tools<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Principal Investigator: Qingshan Wei<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
This engineering research group works to understand the fundamentals of optics, chemistry, and molecular biology for rapid and ultrasensitive molecular detection. They are interested in applying miniature sensor and assay technologies in precision \/ tele-medicine, AgBio research, environmental science and biomanufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cutting-edge research utilizing modern genomic technologies and approaches<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Principal Investigator: Justin Whitehill<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
This program is working to advance North Carolina\u2019s Christmas tree industry by addressing grower challenges and concerns through the application of genetic, genomic and molecular biology principles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Game\u2010Changing Research Incentive Program for Plant Sciences Initiative (GRIP4PSI) was initiated by NC State to encourage collaboration on integrated research and outreach projects focused on one or more of the Research Platforms in the N.C. PSI. NC State provided competitive seed funding for four interdisciplinary team-based research and outreach projects totaling $2.3M.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Big data platform to take tons of sweetpotato photos to improve productivity<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nA multidisciplinary team led by Cranos Williams is developing a data-driven platform to discover how to grow a superior sweetpotato. This project is part of the broader Sweet-APPS Program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They aim to combine information from images of hundreds of thousands of sweetpotatoes and their growth conditions to determine the factors that impact sweetpotato size and shape to increase the percentage of sweetpotatoes that are USDA grade 1. The platform will use custom imaging to detect shape, size, surface texture, internal composition and crop damage. That data then enters a computational platform \u2014 created in partnership with Intero Life Sciences and SAS, Inc. \u2014 to improve decision-making for North Carolina growers, producers and distributors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n