The Spring 2024 4-H Ag Tech student cohort focused on active science projects happening in the Rutgers Plant Biology Department. Topics include grapeseed, arabidopsis, amaranth, monkfruit, basil, ginseng, and ginger, and the cultural and medicinal importance of each of these plants, as well as the technologies that are used in researching them. This program was supported by USDA NIFA Grant 2023-67037-41123.
Hana and Sophia worked together to create their science story, “A Look into Grapeseed,” featuring Rutgers Professor, Dr. Qing-Li Wu, and Food Chemistry and Nutrition Science PhD student Zhiya Yin from the Rutgers Department of Plant Biology. Their story focuses on the ethnobotany of grapes, and the science behind the grapeseed’s medicinal qualities.
Click here to watch their science story, “A Look into Grapeseed“!
Sophie created her science story, “Exploring Mutations in Arabidopsis,” featuring graduate student Alison Dineen from the Rutgers Department of Plant Biology. Her story focuses on novel research on Arabidopsis thaliana, a model organism which is used often in plant biology.
Click here to watch her science story, “Exploring Mutations in Arabidopsis”!
Keira and Gilline worked together to create their science story, “It’s a Vegetable, It’s a Weed, It’s Amaranth!” featuring PhD student Guazabara Rivera and Rutgers undergraduate student Norah Pereira from the Rutgers Department of Plant Biology. Their story focuses on the ethnobotany of amaranth, and the science behind amaranth’s medicinal qualities.
Click here to watch their science story, “It’s a Vegetable, It’s a Weed, It’s Amaranth!”
Narani (Nani) and Zyaire worked together to create their science story, “Monkfruit Journey,” featuring Rutgers Professor, Dr. Rong Di from the Rutgers Department of Plant Biology, and Microbiology and Molecular Genetics PhD student Derek Cavallo. Their story focuses on the ethnobotany of monkfruit, and the science behind monkfruit’s medicinal qualities.
Click here to watch their science story, “Monkfruit Journey“!
Steven and Roselena worked together to create their science story, “Basil: The Plant Breeding Journey,” featuring PhD student Alex Barrett from the Rutgers Department of Plant Biology. Their story focuses on the basil breeding project at Rutgers, the processes required to breed different varieties of the plant, and the project’s significance in the real world.
Click here to watch their science story, “Basil: The Plant Breeding Journey”!
Brian and Yinjue worked together to create their science story, “Project Ginseng,” featuring Rutgers Professor, Dr. Qing-Li Wu from the Rutgers Department of Plant Biology. Their story focuses on the ethnobotany of ginseng, and the science behind the plant’s medicinal qualities.
Click here to watch their science story, “Project Ginseng”!
Augustina (Auggie) and Elias worked together to create their science story, “Traditional Roots,” featuring Rutgers Professor, Dr. Rodolfo Juliani, and PhD student Guazabara Rivera, from the Rutgers Department of Plant Biology. Their story focuses on the ethnobotany of ginger, and the science behind the plant’s medicinal qualities.
Click here to watch their science story, “Traditional Roots”!
