Program Overview

Introduction to the Nutrition BEST Program

The Nutrition Bench-to-Community Engaged Scholars in Texas (Nutrition BEST) program is a transdisciplinary, multi-institutional, and international collaboration aimed at developing the next generation of highly skilled and trained workforce in nutrition and agriculture. This program enables students to gain comprehensive and integrated skills through research, Extension, and experiential learning.

Program Overview

• The Nutrition BEST program is funded by a five-year grant from the Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates program within the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
• The program aims to recruit and train a total of 30 students in separate cohorts by 2026.
• Students are trained in basic and community nutrition, obesity research and prevention, data and literature analyses, and applications of modeling and machine-learning tools.

Program Structure

Integrated Student Experience

• The program blends research training at Texas Tech with optional summer internships with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension.
• Students are mentored by Family & Community Health Extension agents and educators.

Partnerships

• The Transformative Undergraduate Experiences Office
• The Office of Responsible Research
• The STEM Center for Outreach, Research & Education
• The University Coaching & Student Achievement Office
• An external evaluator from the University of Tennessee Extension conducts quantitative and qualitative assessments of the program.

Student Experiences

• Students coordinate their community visits through the program manager of the Obesity Research Institute (ORI).
• They work with mentors in research to gain hands-on experience in their potential career path.
• Texas Tech faculty mentors include experts from various departments such as Nutritional Sciences, Sustainable/Urban Horticulture, Food Science and Safety, and Kinesiology.

Outcomes and Benefits

• The program provides students with research experiences, responsible conduct for research (RCR) training, and presentation skills.
• Students learn team building and professional leadership skills through designed workshops.
• The program also organizes workshops on how to apply and prepare for graduate school.
• Students gain community-based career opportunities and learn from community educators.

Testimonials

• Jorja Washington, a member of the first cohort, felt more confident in her decision to become a dietitian after participating in the Nutrition BEST program.
• Gretchen Plocek, another participant, was thankful for the in-depth training she received and was able to get her research published in a peer-reviewed journal.
• Hannah Petry, a recent example of a Nutrition BEST student, successfully enrolled in graduate school afterward and considers her experiences invaluable.

Conclusion

The Nutrition BEST program offers a unique opportunity for undergraduate students to gain comprehensive skills in nutrition and agriculture through research, Extension, and experiential learning. With its integrated approach and partnerships, the program aims to develop the next generation of highly skilled and trained workforce in these fields.