Increase the awareness of seafood related research and career opportunities among undergraduate students, especially from minority groups, through recruitment and career development activities.

The overall proposed work under the lead PI Dr. Yiming Feng at Virginia Seafood AREC Center has three specific Objectives over a 5-years project period:

1. Increase the awareness of seafood related research and career opportunities among undergraduate students, especially from minority groups, through recruitment and career development activities.

2. Improve the scientific proficiency and research competency of undergraduate students, especially from minority groups, through summer research internships that involve multidisciplinary short-courses, laboratory training, field trips, and other experiential learning activities.

3. Build a long-term mentorship program to track students’ success and provide professional guidance and support.

This project is made possible through a grant from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture United States Department of Agriculture.