2022 MTRAC AgBio Awardees

AWARDEE INSTITUTION Project information TYPE
Salam, Abdus & Kecheng Li Western Michigan University A Novel Biobased Polysaccharide-based Additive for Antimicrobial and High Strength Properties of Pulp Fiber Related Paper Products. In this project, Drs. Salam and Li seek to establish the commercial viability of a chitosan-based, dual-function paper coating and antimicrobial biopolymer developed at WMU. Full
Dong, Younsuk Michigan State University Improving Potato Water and Disease Management with IoT-based Sensor Technology. This grant to Dr. Dong and his team follows the completion of a successful Starter Grant focused on field sensor deployment, testing, and mobile app development. In this project, the team assesses the impact of technology on the yield, water use, disease, and quality metrics among a leading group of potato growers in the state. Success with potatoes may lead to use in other crops. Full
Fan, Qi Hua Michigan State University Efficient Destruction of PFAS in Landfill Leachates. Qi Hua Fan was awarded an MTRAC AgBio Full Grant to advance his plasma-based technology for destroying per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that commonly contaminate groundwater and surface water in Michigan and across the US. Full
Burns, Mark University of Michigan Individually Addressable Valves for Precision Irrigation. This technology builds on a related one for which Dr. Burns and team were awarded a 2021 MTRAC AgBio award focused for single-vine weather and moisture monitoring in vineyards or orchards. In this project, the team seeks to develop and test individually addressable valves to allow precision irrigation, e.g., to complement to precision moisture sensors. Full
Rabnawaz, Muhammed Michigan State University Coated, Thermally Sealed Paper as a Replacement to Single-Use Plastic Bags. This project follows an earlier MTRAC AgBio Starter Grant focused on developing a thermally sealable coated paper that can replace single-use plastic bags. The technology offers the potential for a biodegradable, re-pulpable and recyclable solution. Full
Olson, Eric Michigan State University Strategic Seed Increase of Market-Ready Wheat Varieties. This award provides Olson and the team with funding for tools and methods needed to increase their capacity to develop, test, and commercialize new wheat varieties. These varieties will target important niche-growing regions in Michigan and nearby states (outside the traditional commodity wheat-growing regions). Full
Liu, Yan Michigan State University Production of Pet Food from Legume Crops and Hemp Seeds. Liu’s project follows the successful completion of an MTRAC AgBio Starter Grant award to develop a novel technology for producing plant-based pet foods. This study aims to assess palatability, nutrition, and scalability metrics, along with the commercial potential of the resulting prototype pet foods. Full
Nejad, Mojgen Michigan State University Natural, Biobased UV Stabilizer. Nejad and team received funding to assist in the translation and development of a lignin-based UV stabilizer that may be useful in a wide variety of coatings and other products. Full
Aliakbarian, Bahar Michigan State University Upcycling Cherry Waste for Improved Animal Health. In this project, Aliakbarian and collaborators seek to test the commercial feed value of antioxidant-rich materials produced from agricultural (fruit and vegetable) waste materials using a proprietary extraction technology. The extraction technology was the subject of a previous MTRAC AgBio Starter Grant. Full
Draths, Karen Michigan State University Synthesis of 3-Hydroxypropionic Acid (3-HPA) Starter
Ashammakhi, Nureddin Michigan State University Demonstration of the Efficacy of Novel Bioink in Improving Cell Viability in Three-Dimensionally (3D) Bioprinted Constructs Starter
Ding, Shi-You Michigan State University Engineering Cellulose Synthase-encoding Genes to Improve Cotton Fiber Quality Starter
James. Timothy University of Michigan Using Gene Editing Technologies to Bring a Delectable but Toxic Mushroom to Market Starter
Joodaky, Amin Michigan State University An Optimization tool for the Ventilation Design of Cold-Chain Food Packages Starter
Lee, Euihark Michigan State University A Development of the Packaging Evaluation Application Software Using Machine Learning Tools Starter
Patterson, Eric Michigan State University The Discovery of Natural Herbicides from Maple-Leaf Extracts Starter
Rouached, Hatem Michigan State University Development of Crops with Improved Phosphorus Use Efficiency Starter
Swenson, Cheryl Michigan State University Development of a Potential Vaccine Against Bovine Leukemia Virus Starter
Zinn, Kurt Michigan State University Interchangeable Inserts for Multi-Rodent Imaging with High Throughput Starter
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