NSF Grant Provides STEM Opportunities through CEIF

“Christian Anguiano, a sophomore enrolled in Texas A&M University’s Aggie ACHIEVE — Academic Courses in Higher Inclusive Education and Vocational Experiences — program, never thought bugs were especially interesting.

But after a semester as an intern with Jeffery Tomberlin, Ph.D., professor, Texas A&M AgriLife Research Fellow, Presidential Impact Fellow and director of the Center for Environmental Sustainability through Insect Farming, CEIF, in the Department of Entomology, Anguiano has discovered how important insects like crickets, black soldier flies and mealworms could be to the future of livestock and human food systems.

Increased inclusive excellence within STEM

The CEIF was established by a grant from the National Science Foundation to explore insect farming for food and feed in response to climate change and shrinking food supplies. As the lead site for the center, the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences collaborates with Mississippi State University and Indiana University-Purdue University, as well as 34 U.S. and global industry partners.

Recently, the National Science Foundation’s Research Experience and Mentoring Program funded another grant designed to increase the number of intern positions within the CEIF for Aggie ACHIEVE students interested in science like Anguiano.  

As a relatively new program for Texas A&M, Aggie ACHIEVE is a comprehensive transition program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, IDD, to enroll in college courses and prepare for employment. Students can be enrolled in Aggie ACHIEVE for up to four years.

Students who complete all four years will receive a Certificate of Interdisciplinary Studies from Texas A&M University. The program’s goal is to direct students toward interests and provide education that will translate into employment and improve their quality of life.”

Excerpt from article by Adam Russell for AgriLife Today