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MAES Research Grant Program

MAES Research Grant Program

Overview:

Research activities under this grant focus and address NIFA’s priority areas, both under Foundational and AFRI programs. The purpose is to use this seed grant’s research outcome to apply for AFRI and other external competitive grants.  NIFA-AFRI supports research in the following six Farm Bill categories (nifa.usda.gov/program/agriculture-and-food-research-initiative-afri):

  • Plant health and production and plant products;
  • Animal health and production and animal products;
  • Food safety, nutrition, and health;
  • Bioenergy, natural resources, and environment;
  • Agriculture systems and technology; and
  • Agriculture economics and rural communities

The National research priority areas are also listed as (nifa.usda.gov/research):

a)     Food Security:  All plant and animal research (both basic and applied) consisting of field crops, horticultural crops, animal nutrition, plant & animal genomics, plant and animal health, agricultural economics and rural communities, etc., fall under this category).

b)     Climate Variability and Change: – All the research related to the sustainability of natural resources (soil, water, air), ecosystem impacts of climate change, watershed management, etc., fall under this category), climate change adaptation and mitigation, ecosystem services, etc.

c)     Water – Water Challenge for Agriculture is at the forefront of the National priority areas in order to meet the food production needs for the growing population in light of stressors such as Climate Change, pest, etc.

d)     Sustainable Bioenergy – This involves research pertaining to renewable energy, energy efficiency, and other innovative research for replacing fossil fuel with renewable energy sources.

e)     Childhood Obesity Prevention – This may include research on food composition for obesity prevention, knowledge and behavioral and environmental factors influencing weight gain, expansion and implementation of effective obesity prevention strategies, socio-economic impacts on obesity, etc.

f)      Food Safety – All research related to food safety from farm to table as it relates to food safety, food pathogens, nutrition and human health.

FY2022-2023 MAES Competitive Grant Program Request for Proposals (RFP)

MAES Competitive Grants by Fiscal Year

FY 2024-2025

2024-2025 MAES COMPETITIVE GRANTS
Last Name

First

Name

Project Titles Dept.
Sunny Nishanth Impact of branched chain amino acid degradation on hepatic lipid metabolism ANSC
Broadbent Andrew Defining the sequence diversity and transcriptomic signatures of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) strains isolated from the Delmarva (DMV) region ANSC
De Freitas Cardoso Fabiana A new feed strategy to improve forage quality: Effect of short stature whole plant corn silage on animal performance and farm profitability ANSC
Dickey Seth Mechanistic analysis of a novel antimicrobial pore-forming peptide VETMED
Riley Sean Engineering the antibody response to obligate intracellular bacteria VETMED
Nelson Daniel Engineering endolysins to eradicate lactobacillus plantarum In bioethanol feedstocks VETMED
Lamp William Evaluating insect feed as a climate mitigating protein supplement for dairy cattle ENTM
Li Yuanyuan Deciphering gene regulation in broccoli glucoraphanin-induced beneficial effects on prevention of obesity-related nonalcoholic fatty liver disease NFSC
Slavin Margaret Assessing pain outcomes in a low sugar dietary intervention NFSC
Rodriguez Leal Daniel Tomato Multiplex Editing for Trait Optimization (TOMETO) PSLA
Qi Yiping Enriching plastid base editing in crops with versatile TALE-Combo systems PSLA
Henley Shauna Developing a community-based participatory research wellness program for Maryland older adults UME

FY 2023-2024

2023-2024 MAES COMPETITIVE GRANTS
Last Name

First

Name

Project Titles Dept.
Park Jaekeun Resident memory T cell responses to avian Influenza viruses VTMD
Leisnham Paul Mosquito microbiota reflects human socio-economic conditions surrounding juvenile habitat ENST
Rawat Nidhi Characterization of a conserved susceptibility factor for designing novel disease resistance in wheat PSLA
Shi Meiqing Role of the complosome in cryptococcosis VTMD
Xiao Zhengguo Intraepithelial T Lymphocytes in the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract of cattle ANSC
Wang Qin Machine learning-accelerated development of sustainable, all-natural food packaging NFSC
Zhang Yanjin Improved vaccine against porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome VTMD
Pick Leslie Assessing risk of RNAi pesticides in agricultural systems ENTM
Song Jiuzhou Towards a microbiome-based strategy to promote soil health and food safety on urban farms ANSC
Biswas Debabrata Sources and comparative genomics of infectious Coryza outbreaking agent in Delmarva region ANSC
Schiffmacher Andrew Unlocking the potential of bovine fetal mammary stem cells ANSC
Jin Younggeon Role of intestinal mesenchymal stromal cells in the porcine postnatal intestinal development ANSC

FY 2022-2023

2022-2023 MAES COMPETITIVE GRANTS
Last Name

First

Name

Project Titles Dept.
Broadbent Andrew The development of an Avian Reovirus (ARV) Reverse Genetics System to facilitate the next generation of ARV vaccines ANSC
Porter Tom Identification of transcription factor proteins regulating growth hormone production in broiler chickens ANSC
Rahaman Shaik Assess the functionality of Trpv4-targeted dietary bioactives loaded in avocado-derived nanoparticles using a high-fat diet-induced atherosclerosis model NFSC
Belov George Identification of a molecular target of a novel broad-spectrum anti-enterovirus compound VTMD
Zhu Xiaoping Helminth-derived protein for the treatment of inflammatory diseases VTMD
Negahban-Azar Masoud Assess sustainability of agricultural irrigation water under current and future climate scenarios ENST
Fritz Megan The role of aminopeptidase N genes in Helicoverpa zea field evolved Bt resistance ENTM
Coleman Gary Modulation of UVR8 in transgenic poplar to identify factors promoting rapid growth PSLA
Culver James Reprogramming stone fruit crop defense responses for enhanced virus resistance PSLA - IBBR
Xiao Shunyuan Developing a facile reporter system for functional assays of MLO proteins and engineering of MLO-based powdery mildew resistance in crop plants PSLA -IBBR

FY 2021-2022

2021-2021 MAES COMPETITIVE GRANTS
Last Name

First

Name

Project Titles Dept.
Kim Byung-Eun The Role of Copper and CTR1 in the Regulation of Adipocyte Metabolism ANSC
Xiao Zhenguo CD4 T Cell Differentiation in Cattle ANSC
Grev Amanda Effects of Nitrogen and Sulfur Fertility on Triticale Forage Protein Concentrations and Dairy Cow Performance ANSC-Ext
Shi Meiqing Mechanisms of clearance of Cryptococcus neoformans in the brain VTMD
Zhang Yanjin Mutagenesis of a novel porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus strain for a better vaccine VTMD
Riley Sean Host-targeted Therapeutics for Rickettsia Infections VTMD
Potts Sarah Effect of an Improved Grazing Management System on Dairy Heifer Performance ANSC-Ext
Yonkos Lance Application of Fundulus heteroclitus Health Indicators to Establish Baseline Environmental Quality of the Anacostia River ENST
Obanda Diana An ‘omics’ approach to identify and elucidate functional roles of gut microbial metabolites of Urtica dioica vegetable NFSC
Qi Yiping Developing efficient CRISPR genome editing platforms for generating quantitative traits in crops PSLA
Murphy Angus Nitrilase function in the regulation of auxin - dependent wound responses in rice PSLA
Micallef Shirley An apple a day: investigating associations between apple management practices, fruit quality and phytochemical profiles, and foodborne pathogen interactions PSLA

 

FY 2020-2021

 2020-2021 MAES COMPETITIVE GRANTS
Last Name

First

Name

Project Titles Dept.
Jin Younggeon Role of ClC-2 in intestinal ischemic injury and repair ANSC
Sunny Nishanth Regulation of Mitochondrial Metabolism and Lipogenesis in Embryonic to Post-hatch Chicken ANSC
Belov Georgiy The development of high efficiency vectored vaccines against highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses VTMD
Lee Seong-Ho Anti-obese activity of novel high phenolic sorghum brans NFSC
Pradhan Abani Application of Machine Learning and Big Data Analytics for Food Safety Risk Assessment NFSC
Yarwood Stephanie Uncovering the mechanisms of N2O production in cereal cropping systems ENST
Lamp William Identification of host plant use by the invasive spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) using next-gen DNA sequencing technology ENTM
Hamby Kelly Interactions between spotted-wing drosophila and fruit rot fungi in fall red raspberries ENTM
Fiorellino Nicole Developing fertility recommendations and assessing nutrient remediation ability of industrial hemp PSLA
Neel Maile Can acclimation confer resilience in the Chesapeake Bay foundation species Vallisneria americana? PSLA

FY 2019-2020

2019-2020 MAES COMPETITIVE GRANTS

Last Name

First Name

Project Titles

Dept.

Zhang Yanjin Identification of the genetic source of interferon induction by a novel strain of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus VTMD
        Zhu Xiaoping Mucosal delivery of universal influenza vaccine antigens VTMD
      Nelson Daniel Engineering Endolysins to Target Gram-negative Pathogens for Food Safety Disinfectant Use VTMD
      Keefer Carol Proliferation and differentiation of spermatogonial stem cells carrying fluorescent reporter genes ANSC
     Ma Li Big-data Genomic Investigation to Improve Cattle Health ANSC
    Newburn David Evaluating the Effectiveness of Subsidies for Agricultural Conservation Practices and Water Quality in the Chesapeake Bay AREC
   Coleman Gary Advancing sustainable agriculture through improvements of Nitrogen Use Efficiency in cereal crops PSLA
    Tikekar Rohan Photocatalytic antimicrobial coatings for reducing safety risks and extending shelf life of fresh strawberries NFSC
    Wang Qin Development of an effective and low toxic silver-based antimicrobial materials NFSC
   Burghardt Karin Role of natural enemies in decreasing insect damage in diverse vs. monoculture managed forest stands ENTM

 

FY 2018-2019

2018-2019 MAES COMPETITIVE GRANTS

Last Name

First Name

Project Titles

Dept.

Fritz

Megan

Identification of the genetic factors contributing to Cry toxin resistance and cross-resistance in Helicoverpa zea

ENTM

Kim

Shin-Hee

A Novel Avian Influenza Vaccination Strategy

VTMD

Peer

Wendy

Auxin homeostasis and jasmonic acid crosstalk during flower development

ENST

Pradhan

Abani

Evaluating Food Safety Risk of Toxoplasma gondii in Naturally-Infected Meat Animals

NFSC 

Rabenhorst

Martin

Evaluating Subaqueous Soil-Landscape Models (SSLM) for Soil Mapping and Interpretations in Chesapeake Bay

ENST

Rawat

Nidhi

Deciphering the mechanism of a broad-spectrum resistance gene against Fusarium Head Blight in wheat

PSLA

Samal

Siba A novel vaccination strategy to control avian infectious bronchitis and Newcastle disease VTMD

Shi

 Meiqing Role of IL-27 signaling in cryptococcal infection VTMD

Song

 Jiuzhou Long intergenic non-coding RNAs (lincRNAs) and enhancer elements in regulation of chicken stem cells ANSC

Toor

Gurpaal

Cycling of Dissolved Organic Nitrogen in Agricultural Production Systems

ENST

FY 2017-2018

2017-2018 MAES COMPETITIVE GRANTS

Last Name

First Name

Project Titles

Dept.

Belov

George

Vectored Vaccine Against Food and Mouth Disease

VTMD

Lansing

Stephanie

Use of Nanoparticles to Enhance Performance and Viability of Anaerobic Digesters

ENST

Ma

Li

Genetic Analyses of Recombination and PRDM9 Alleles and Their Implications in Cattle Breeding

ANSC

Pick 

Leslie 

RNAi for Insect Pest Control: An Assesment of Mechanisms in Diverse Insect Taxa

ENTM 

 Tikekar

 Rohan

Sanitizers for Egg and Poultry Industry Developed Using a Rational Combination of Approved Food Ingredients

NFSC 

Wang

Qin

Investigation and Validation of Chlorine-Based Fresh Produce Washing Procedures Using Novel Experimental Platforms

NFSC

Xiao

 Shunyuan Towards Understanding and Developing Powdery Mildew Resistance in Strawberry  PSLA

Yarwood

 Stephanie Visualization of Soil Microbial Community Spatial Structure: Advancing Soil Printing Technology ENST 

 Zhang

 Yanjin Vaccine Development Against Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus  VTMD 

Zhu

Xiaoping

CD23 Targeted Mucosal Vaccination Against Influenza Infection

VTMD

FY 2015-2016

2015-2016 MAES COMPETITIVE GRANTS

Last Name

First Name

Project Titles

Dept.

Biswas

Debabrata

Alternative intervention strategy for common bacterial pathogens in poultry gut with bioactive extracts of berry pomaces

ANSC/

CFS3

Keefer

Carol

Investigating the roles of SNAIL transcription factors during bovine trophectoderm linage segregation

ANSC

Kim

Byung-Eun

The role of CTr1 Copper Transporter in Cardiovascular Function in Mammals

ANSC

Woods

Curry

Functional genomics for spermatozoa of striped bass:  implications for male fish fertility

ANSC

Kangas

Patrick

Cultivation of Macroalgae in the Chesapeake Bay for Environmental and Economic Benefits

ENST

Needelman

Brian

Increasing the Socio-Ecological Resilience of the Deal Island Peninsula to Climate Change Impacts

ENST

Hawthorne

David

Development of a novel molecular biomarker suite in the freshwater amphipod Hyalella azteca for ecological risk assessment

ENTM

Lamp

William

Modeling Adult Distribution of Nuisance Black Flies (Diptera  Simulidae) and Determination of Larval Habitat

ENTM

St. Leger

Raymond J.

Can creating novel combinations of Trichoderma and Metarhizium genes produce a more consistent biocontrol strain?

ENTM

Pradhan

Abani

Assessment of Toxoplasma Risk in Chicken from Amish Market

NFSC

Rahaman

Shaik O.

Role of TRPV4 calcium channel in macrophage foam cell formation in diet-induced atherosclerosis

NFSC

Liu

Zhongchi

Investigating  the function of a novel strawberry miRNA-PhasiRNA network using CRISPR

CBMG

Tully

Katherine

Mapping nitrogen storage and release from cover crops for variable rate fertilization in corn using multispectral imagery

PSLA

Xiao

Shunyuan

Toward elucidation of host-adaptation mechanisms of polyphagous powdery mildew fungi

PSLA/

IBBR

Belov

George

Role of Phosphatidylcholine Synthesis Pathway in Picornavirus Replication

VTMD

Samal

Siba K.

Engineering a novel vaccine that can protect both infectious bronchitis and Newcastle disease

VTMD

Zhu

Xiaoping

Immune Evation of the Neonatal Fe Receptor for IgG

VTMD

Liu

Chengchu

Development of Integrated Control Strategies for Vibrio Parahaemolyticus in Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea Virginica) for Raw Consumption

UME

FY 2013-2014

2013-2014 MAES COMPETITIVE GRANTS

Last Name

First Name

Project Titles

Dept.

Angel

Rosalina

Increasing the ability of broilers to survive and grow under high environmental temperatures using thermal conditioning during embryonic development

ANSC

Balci

Yilmaz

Reducing the impact of phytophthora to nurseries and the environement in Maryland.  Establishing management practices using noval tools in population biology.

PSLA

Erdman

Richard

Use of the milk fat globule cytoplasmic crest to study changes in lipogenic gene expression in response to nutrition regiments that up-regulate and down-regulate milk fat secretion in the lactating dairy cow.

ANSC

Hooks

Cerruti

Designing a more sustanable weed and insect pest management system for begetable producers.

ENTO

Kohn

Richard

Using principles o thermodynaics and kinetics to identify creitical control points for decreasing methane emissions from ruminants.

ANSC

Lansing

Stephanie

Understanding H2S production in anaerobic digesters and its efect on solid oxide fuel cells.

ENST

Moyes

Kasey

The effect of nutrient supply and stage of lacatation on metabolic and inflammatory responses of liver from dairy cows after endotoxin challenge in vitro.

ANSC

Peer

Wendy

The evolution of herbicide resistance in Amaranthus.

ENST

Ristvey

Andrew

Characterizing the effects of cultural management on phytochemical concentrations in the fruit of the alternative crop Aronia.

WREC

Shi

Meiqing

Mechanisms of brain invasion by Crytococcus Neoformans in living hosts.

VTMD

Song

Hee-Jung

How to address paradox of rural food desserts?  Formative research for a store-based nutrition intervention in low-income, rural communities.

 NFSC

Sullivan

Joseph

Does the addition of supplemental phenlalanine increase UV-B and stress tolerance in soybean seedlings?

PSLA

Xiao

Zhengguo

Novel vaccine to induce protective memory CTLs against PRRSV in pigs.

ANSC

 

FY 2012-2013

2012-2013 MAES COMPETITIVE GRANTS

Last Name

First Name

Project Titles

Dept.

Bequette

Brian

Developing a New Paradigm of Gamete and Embryo Nutrition.

ANSC

Biswas

Debabrata

Enhancement of Chicken Immunity against Colonization of Salmonella Typhimurium by Stimulation of the Lysogenic Cycle of Non-Pathogenic Salmonella strain in Chicken Cells.

ANSC

Culver

James

Engineering Plant Based Viruses for Bio-Nano Energy Applications.

PSLA

Lamp

William

Interaction of Increasing Atomospheric C02 and Sap-Feeding Insect Injury on the Physiological Response of a Legume.

ENTO

Lo

Martin

Novel Hydrogel Complex to Improve Frozen Food Safety by Eliminating Moisture Loss due to Temperature Fluctuation.

NFSC

Micallef

Shirley

Microbiological Assessment of Organic Produce per-and-post Harvest and Development of a Curstomized Food Safety Outreach Program for Organic Growers.

PSLA

 Nelson

Daniel

Evaluation of Streptococcus suis cell wall hydrolases for therapeutic use in Swine

VTMD

Orlando

Edward

Toward a Greater Understanding of the Neuroendocrine Regulation of Fish Reproduction.

ANSC

Pradhan

Abani

Quantitative Risk Assessment for Listeria monocytogenes in Cantaloupes.

NFSC

Sahyoun

Nadine

Dietary and Serum Folate and the Association with Mortality from Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke.

NFSC

Samal

Siba

A Novel Vector Vaccine for Infectious Bronchitis.

VTMD

Telugu

Bhanu

Generation of "DNA" footprint-free" bovine induced pluripotent.

ANSC

Wang

Qin

Development of Antimicrobial Nanoparticles for Construction of Novel Coatings to Enhance Food Safety for Ready-to-Eat Meat Product and Fresh Produce.

NFSC

Yarwood

Stephanie

Restoring wetland function:  Plant-Microbe Interactions in Restored Wetlands and their Susceptibility to Sea-level Rise.

ENST

Zhang

Yanjin

An Interferon-Inducible Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus Isolate.

VTMD

FY 2011-2012

2011-2012 MAES COMPETITIVE GRANTS

Last Name

First Name

Project Titles

Dept.

Belov

Georgiy

Cellular Factors as targets to Control Porcine Respiratory and Reproductive Syndrome Virus (PRRSV)

VTMD

Bossis

Ioannis

Regulation of the Cellular Catabolic Process of Autophagy by Vitamin A

VTMD

Cantonguay

Thomas

Sugars and their Effects on Appetite Regulation

NFSC

Chanse

Victoria

Transdisciplinary Civic engage-ment around visualizing climate change in Dorchester County, MD:  A Pilot Project

PSLA

Cheng

Wen-Hsing

Methyl-Selenium compounds target senescence in precancerous colon

NFSC

Leisnham

Paul

Using Community Ecology to Understand the invasion of the disease-victor mosquito Aedes japonicus

ENST

Needelman

Brian

Ecological and Social Responses to Gridditched Coastal Marsh Restoration

ENST

Neel

Maile

Effects on habitat loss and fragmentation on potential for persistence and resilience of the submersed aquatic plant species Vallisneria Americana in the Chesapeake Bay

PSLA

Porter

Thomas

Functional Role of Candidate Genes in Anterior Pituitary Development in the Chicken Embryo

ANSC

Shrewsbury

Paula

Elucidating the biology, host plant use, and movement of the invasive brown marmorated stink bug on ornamental trees and shrubs for better pest management

ENTM

Tablante

Nathaniel

Epidemiological Analysis of Biosecurity Practices and Associated Seroprevalence of Diseases in Non-Commercial Poultry Flocks

VTMD

Terlizzi

Nathaniel

Enhanced economic and environmental sustainability of oyster aquaculture in the Chesapeake Bay through seaweed aquaculture

Sea

Grant

Walsh

Christopher

Evaluation of raspberry (rubus sp.) cultivars for postharvest quality and resistance to Botrytis Cinerea

PSLA

Woods

Curry

Improvement of Hypothermic Storage of Striped Bass Spermatozoa via Intracellular Transduction of the Impermeant Trehalose

Crane

Facility

Xiao

Shunyuan

A novel strategy to enhance drought tolerance in plants.

IBBR

FY 2010-2011

2010-2011 MAES COMPETITIVE GRANTS

Last Name

First Name

Project Titles

Dept.

Coleman

Gary

Identification of microRNAs associated with dormancy responses in Poplar

PSLA

Gruner

Daniel

Persistence and viability of insect pathogenic nematodes for conservation biological control in the Chesapeake watershed

ENTM

Harrell

Reginald

Examining Genetic Potential for Nutrient Mitigation by Aquatic Plants: Expanding opportunities for Maryland’s Aquatic Nursery Industry

ENST

Lansing

Stephanie

Creating Renewable Energy through Sustainable Nutrient Management Practices – Co-digestion of dairy manure and radish cover crops

ENST

Lo

 

Novel Biosensor for Real-time Detection of Acrylamide

NFSC

Mather

Ian

Molecular and Cellular Dynamics of Milk Secretion

ANSC

Nelson

Daniel

Thermodynamic Engineering of a Hydrolase for Environmental Decontamination of Streptococcus Equip

VTMD

Rabenhorst

Martin

Recognition of Sandy Hydric Soils in Vulnerable Barrier Island Wetlands

ENST

Samal

Siba K.

Engineering a Novel Vaccine that can protect both Infectious laryngotracheitis and Newcastle Disease

VTMD

Song

Jiuzhou

Pilot Study: Effects of Forage and Grain on Epigenetic Mediated Control of Beef Quality and Fatty Acid Profiles

ANSC

Timmons

Jennifer

Pilot Study of Airflow in Broiler Houses for Salmonella Risk Reduction

LESREC

Wang

Jian

Molecular Characterization of Plant-Insect Interactions among Potato Leafhopper, its Salivary Symbionts, and Alfalfa

PSLA

Wang

Qin

Enhancing the value-added utilization of Maryland grown blue crab and corn: development of micro-capsules from chitosan and corn zein for improved antioxidant property and storage stability of two synergistic antioxidant compounds

NFSC

Xiao

Zhengguo

Vaccine Approach Using mTOR Inhibitor Rapamycin and Inflammatory Cytokines

ANSC

Zhu

Xiaoping

Mucosal Delivery of Influenza Subunit Vaccine

VTMD