Curricula, Research and Technology: Capacity Building for Graduate Nutrition and Dietetics in Puerto Rico
Grants.gov No.: GRANT12369101 Start Date: 08/01/2017 End Date: 07/31/2021
Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Director: Michelle Schelske Santos ; 787-764-0000 X-88581 ; michelle.schelske@upr.edu
The Curricula, Research and Technology: Capacity Building for Graduate Nutrition and Dietetics in Puerto Rico project will contribute to sustainable capacity building at UPR-RP for a new graduate program, establishing the Nutrition Intervention Laboratory for creative research, the Nutrition Technology Laboratory for instructional diversity, and using innovative, dual purpose initiatives: 1) faculty travel awards as incentives for graduate course creation, 2) humanitarian aid project and student mentoring research scholarships to foster collaboration and integration of nutritional sciences into existing Natural Sciences departments to stimulate critical thinking, and 3) community practicum experiences in service to the underserved Hispanic population.
Goals / Objectives
This project has two overarching goals, each with its supporting objectives.
Goal 1 – Enhance the quality and diversity of undergraduate and graduate Hispanic student academic preparation leading to careers as dietitians, nutrition specialists, or nutrition scientists
Objectives:
1.1. Complete the graduate program in nutrition and dietetics
1.1.1. Support the completion of 8 new graduate-level courses (at least 4 including hybrid and distance education modalities) by providing faculty travel awards as incentives for graduate course creation, serving the dual purpose of continuing education, research dissemination and collaboration
1.2. Enhance students’ creativity and participation in research projects in nutrition sciences through competitive scholarships
1.2.1. Support humanitarian aid creative project (Helping Hand) and student mentoring research scholarships (Mentor Me, Mentor Be!) to foster collaboration and integration of nutritional sciences into existing Natural Sciences departments, serving the dual purpose of helping meet students’ financial needs while stimulating societal problem-solving and personal growth
1.2.2. Enhance student development of knowledge and skills used in the understanding and application of modern laboratory techniques used in nutrition research, development, thereby strengthening areas of critical thinking and application of the scientific method
1.3. Develop a collaborative relationship with the Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture (PRDA) through the Innovation Fund for Agricultural Development (FIDA, Spanish abbreviation) and the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) for offering community based conferences or practicum experiences at a variety of PRDA Mercado and other venues for promotion of nutrition and
health among underserved Hispanics in Puerto Rico
1.3.1. Enhance student understanding and application of nutrition research reported in scientific journals, fundamental for nutrition and dietetics professionals in communicating current advances in nutrition to the Hispanic public in order to be effective in reducing the incidence of obesity and related chronic diseases among Hispanics
Goal 2 – Contribute to sustainable capacity building at UPR-RP through renovated facilities and collaborative efforts
Objectives:
2.1. Establish and equip the Nutrition Intervention Laboratory with state-of-the-art body composition and energy expenditure instrumentation
2.1.1. Foster research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students in areas of clinical nutrition related to body composition and energy expenditure, allowing students and faculty to take the research to the level of intervention and longitudinal changes over time
2.1.2. Enhance student development of knowledge and skills used in the understanding and application of modern laboratory techniques used in nutrition research, development and/or strengthening areas of critical thinking and understanding and applying the scientific method
2.2. Establish and equip the Nutrition Technology Laboratory with computers and seating for students and equip faculty computers with webcams, to increase use of technology for instructional delivery and student learning
2.2.1. Provide computerized technology, whether in the classroom, or through virtual means, that will more effectively engage students in learning and enrich their experience in the use of modern technology, thereby fostering the acquisition of desired skills for research and development in human nutrition sciences, and in preparing them to enter the labor force in areas of
nutrition and dietetics
2.3. Perpetuate collaborative and inter-disciplinary relationships with other departments of the College of Natural Sciences, the Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture (PRDA), and the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS)
2.3.1. Enrich practicum and research opportunities for Hispanic undergraduate and graduate students in preparation for job opportunities and solving societal challenges in nutrition and dietetics
2.3.2. Expose students to future job possibilities in foods, nutrition and dietetics
Methods
The campus planning (OPDF), facilities (OCIU) and safety (OPASO) offices will assist in completing the plan for minor remodeling that will be required to set up the Nutrition Intervention Laboratory (room AEFAN 201), where two major pieces of scientific instrumentation, the BodPod and Fitmate indirect calorimeter, will be installed. Then the faculty, laboratory technician and students will be trained in the use and maintenance of the equipment. The Co-PD will direct this lab and develop both an academic and research plan for widespread use of the facilities. Emphasis will be given to developing academic and research experiences which provide exposure to the newly acquired equipment, which could later be influential in a variety of job positions and career opportunities.
In addition, the facilities for the Nutrition Technology Laboratory (room AEFAN 204) will be refreshed and technology personnel (DTAA, CITec) called upon for computer installation and set-up. This computer laboratory will be used by the majority of the Nutrition and Dietetics faculty for inclusion of diversified instructional delivery and increased student engagement. Use of computer technology for research, data presentation and analyses will be increased for undergraduates and future graduate student including on-line experiences in Moodle as well as virtual and/or interactive course projects. The Nutrition and Dietetics Program faculty will develop the graduate courses in areas of human nutrition and metabolism, nutrition assessment, nutrition research methodologies and management of foodservice systems. Faculty travel awards will be offered as incentives for the dual purpose of course development and continuing education or research opportunities. The final graduate curriculum will be submitted for institutional and national approval and accreditation. Graduate students and Natural Sciences lab chiefs or scientists/faculty will be identified for early establishment of the Mentor Me, Mentor Be! nutrition sciences scholarship competition, and undergraduate students will be paired with graduate students to foster research and collaborative efforts with the College of Natural Sciences. Also, the humanitarian aid Helping Hand creative project Advisory Committee and scholarship competition will be established and implanted for the dual purpose of advancing creative solutions for nutritional problems related to the tough economic situation. Student research and creative projects will be
presented at professional meetings as part of the scholarship award and agreement.
The student practicum and research components in community education will be carried out at the PRDA Mercado venues and USDA FNS identified sites across the island (including major urban malls, family rural settings, WIC), and will include a variety of timely nutrition topics, which may include: promotion of local fruit and vegetal consumption; how to eat a healthful diet on a tight budget; practical steps to improving diet, nutrient intake, nutrition status and chronic conditions. Any educational materials developed will be placed on the project website for dissemination and future use, contributing to the education of the Puerto
Rican population.
Target Audience
The audiences targeted for the efforts of the grant include:
- Hispanic undergraduate and graduate students in Nutrition and Dietetics
- Hispanic undergraduate and graduate students in other Natural Sciences departments, such as Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Sciences, Interdisciplinary Natural Sciences
- Nutrition and Dietetics faculty
- Underserved Puerto Rican and Hispanic population groups
Products
Project activities to be supported include equipment purchase and installation for the Nutrition Intervention Laboratory and Nutrition Technology Laboratory; diversified instructional delivery including the hybrid modality, computerized testing, virtual educational modules, electronic discussion boards; course development and submission for approval; completion of the graduate program curricular design and submission for approval and accreditation; Scholarship Advisory Committee meetings and selection of scholarship recipients through a competitive process; collaborative and inter-disciplinary meetings with other departments of the College of Natural Sciences, the PRDA, and FNS; student research; student practicum and community nutrition education activities; faculty development at professional meetings; periodic project evaluation.
Project services to be supported include the meta-evaluator consultant.
Project products to be developed include a project web page; an established Nutrition Intervention Laboratory as an investigative basis; an established Nutrition Technology Laboratory for instructional diversity and student engagement; eight new graduate courses (at least 4 with hybrid and distance education options; eight student scholarships ($3,125. each, totaling $25,000., affecting approximately 14 students: 6 graduate/undergraduate student research pairs, and 2 individual humanitarian
aid projects); student and faculty research presentations at professional meetings; inter-disciplinary collaborations between other Natural Sciences departments and Nutrition and Dietetics; collaborative relationship with PRDA; collaborative relationship with USDA FNS.
Expected Outcomes
The Project expected outcomes include:
- Increased student academic achievement in areas of critical thinking, understanding and application of the scientific method
- Increased student understanding and application of nutrition research reported in scientific journals
- Increased student research skills and projects in areas of clinical nutrition and nutrition sciences
- Increased inter-departmental collaborative research among diverse Natural Sciences laboratories
- Increased intra-campus collaborative projects with other colleges and departments like Psychology, Business Administration, Exercise Science
- Increased extra-campus collaborative activities & research through PRDA and USDA FNS
- More highly-skilled and knowledgeable entry-level dietitians for the workforce
- Greater nutrition research to address specific health conditions of Hispanics
- Greater understanding of nutrition-related health disorders among Puerto Ricans & Hispanics
- Greater consumption of locally produced fresh fruits and veggies
- Reduction in obesity, improvement in body composition and nutrition-related health
- Reduction in health care costs and increase in quality of life