Connecting Entomological Skills with Professional Skills
We will introduce Veterinary Entomology Scholars (VESs) to team science and collaborative science while training them in veterinary entomology and providing them networking opportunities with stakeholder leadership. The program will provide an 8-week summer residential REEU to selected VESs and the scholars will gain additional professional skills.
Team Science
Working collaboratively to bring together diverse expertise is an essential component of addressing complex challenges through modern scientific research. In this undergraduate experiential learning opportunity focused on tick surveillance in cattle production systems, VESs will work alongside researchers, Extension specialists, and producers to collect and analyze data, contributing to both an overarching research goal and Extension mission. The primary project objective is to conduct tick surveillance and educate stakeholders about tick prevention and tick-borne diseases affecting cattle.
Each university team (University of Tennessee, University of Georgia, Kansas State University, Texas A&M) will work with VESs to accomplish location-specific goals that align with the broader team objective. Students will also engage in team/collaborative science training, including experiential learning through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Collaboration Team Science Field Guide and applying these principles during stakeholder conversations. This opportunity fosters collaboration, innovative thinking, and hands-on experience in tackling real-world issues in agriculture and veterinary health.
Compliance Training
Each VES will receive appropriate compliance training to participate in the project. This includes responsible conduct of research, ethics, biosafety, chemical safety, and animal safety (Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee – IACUC). Compliance training will be specific to each institution.
Develop Networking Skills and Present at a Professional Conference
Scholars will attend the Livestock Insect Workers Conference to present their project as a “3-minute thesis” proposal, and network with attendees to learn about the different careers and agencies (academia, government, industry, and non-profit).
Develop Communication Skills
Throughout the program, Scholars will communicate with one another and team members across different states. Communication will include verbal (e.g., online Zoom meetings and phone calls) and nonverbal (e.g., GroupMe, email, Microsoft TEAMS, and SLACK) to ensure project success. Additionally, Scholars will deliver project updates with stakeholders throughout the program in written format (e.g., Tennessee Cattle Business Magazine), web-based written format (e.g., infographic or factsheet), in-person presentation at the Livestock Insect Workers Conference, and over a webinar. The final webinar will be at the conclusion of the program and allow Scholars to present their work to interested stakeholders at the REEU REEVES Expo. This two-hour program will allow Scholars to see and hear the value of their work, while simultaneously educating key stakeholders about veterinary entomology. If timing allows, VESs will present their work at university specific undergraduate summer research programs.
Improve Leadership Skills and Approaches
Leadership skills will begin with Clifton StrengthsFinder to identify individual dominant strengths and progress to conversations with stakeholders and leaders in the agriculture industry. Scholars will participate in the Leadership Executive Seminar Series modeled after Dr. DeLong’s James L. Herbert Executive Seminar Series at UTK. The Leadership Executive Seminar Series will be taught by Dr. DeLong, is one hour a week and involves learning leadership fundamentals and philosophies from agricultural industry leaders. Scholars will also spend time reflecting on the leadership fundamentals they have learned throughout the program.