Last semester in HDFS 225: Close Relationships, we were assigned to create a soundtrack that reflects changes in relationships across our lifespan, known as “The Music of Our Lives” project. The requirements included a minimum of ten tracks in chronological order (reflecting a developmental course beginning in early life and ending in later life), an explanation of the lyrics’ meaning, a personal reflection, and relation to course material. Our professor, Dr.
This semester I had the opportunity to take ACE 291, Agricultural Leadership and Policy, with Jon Scholl as the instructor. I was excited to begin the course as I have had many friends and peers highly recommend taking it. The central component of the class was a trip to Washington, D.C., and after taking this trip, I am confident that the course has been one of the most valuable and impactful classes I have taken throughout my education.
“If you could sequence any genome, what would it be?” This was the question posed to ACES 399 students last Wednesday at our weekly seminar. Dr. Tony Studer, assistant professor in the Department of Crop Sciences, was giving a talk on the defining challenges facing the department.
Dr. Studer emphasized several major issues facing agriculture, such as adjusting key crops to climate changes, increasing the efficiency of photosynthesis, and how to properly analyze deluges of data. The latter was of especial interest to Dr. Studer, as his background is in genetics.
While I was a student with the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences (NRES), I ambitiously pursued summer internships to gain a breadth of unique experiences and to better understand where I would best fit in the environmental sciences field, specifically within wildlife sciences. I attended the ACES Career Fair during my freshman year, which led to my first internship with the Student Conservation Association (SCA) in coordination with the U.S. Forest Service. That summer, I served as a Bear Management Intern at Inyo National Forest in California.
This past week’s ACES 399 seminar presentation by Dr. Matthew Wheeler, professor in the Department of Animal Sciences, delved into the world of transgenic animals. While it sounds revolutionary, this science has actually existed for years. There are many practical applications of this type of technology that could solve different current issues.
Jonathan Poole, undergrad, Food Science and Human Nutrition
Home FFA Chapter: Chicago Ag Sciences
SAE’s: Food Science & Technology - Conducting various research projects related to food science; Borlaug-Ruan International Internship at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, Mexico
Leadership Roles: Chapter Treasurer; Served on the Section 8 team for 2 years
JC Campbell, junior, Technical Systems Management
Home FFA Chapter: United FFA Chapter in Monmouth, IL
SAE’s: Forage Production (State Winner in 2016); Beef Production; Small Grains Production; Sheep Production; Swine Production; Diversified Crop Production; Diversified Livestock Production; Diversified Agriculture Production
Leadership Roles: Chapter Vice President and President; Section Vice President and President; State President
Sophia Hortin, freshman, Agricultural Leadership, Education & Communications
Home FFA Chapter: Fischer FFA Chapter in Fischer, IL
SAE's: Swine Production; Diversified Crop Production
Leadership Roles: State President
Jonathan Poole, undergrad, Food Science and Human Nutrition
Home FFA Chapter: Chicago Ag Sciences
SAE’s: Food Science & Technology - Conducting various research projects related to food science; Borlaug-Ruan International Internship at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, Mexico
Leadership Roles: Chapter Treasurer; Served on the Section 8 team for 2 years
This past week in ACES 399, Dr. Prasanta Kalita, professor in the Department of Agricultural & Biological Engineering, spoke to our class about societal challenges. Dr. Kalita’s presentation began with a short discussion of the four most significant challenges society faces, as stated by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Those challenges include food and water security; saving lives at birth; all children reading; and making all voices count.