Lundgren among 8 students who earned Water for Food research grants

Photo Credit: Mariah Lundgren
Thu, 03/19/2015 - 11:59

Undergraduate Mariah Lundgren, who is an Environmental Studies major, is working with Michael Farrell, assistant professor of practice in Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication on a project called "Platte Basin Time Lapse Project."

She is among eight students working on research designed to contribute to a more secure world with water and food. The projects are funded through grants from the University of Nebraska's Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Institute and range from developing drought-tolerant wheat to deploying unmanned aerial vehicles for water sampling.

Learn more about Mariah's work with the Platte Basin Time Lapse Project here.

The projects are part of a first year program that pairs Water for Food faculty fellows from across the University of Nebraska system with student researchers. The $310,000 grants program supports the interdisciplinary research of the faculty fellows while providing hands-on research experience to the students. The funding covers two postdoctoral fellows and nine graduate and undergraduate student research assistantships from July 1, 2014, until June 30, 2015.

“Education is an essential part of the institute’s mission,” director of research Christopher Neale said. “We are excited to roll out our student support program and help faculty and their students pursue projects that will advance the University of Nebraska’s efforts to provide solutions for global water and food security.”

The Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Institute at the University of Nebraska was founded in 2010 to address the global challenge of achieving food security with less stress on water resources through improved water management in agricultural and food systems. The institute ensures a secure world regarding water and food while maintaining the use of water for other human and environmental needs.

For more information, go to http://waterforfood.nebraska.edu/.