Contact: Crystal Drake, Office of Strategic Communications
Tuskegee Renaissance Era continues to expand the university’s leadership in research, education and workforce development while exploring science in rapidly evolving fields. Associate Professor of Biology Dr. Chinyere Knight has been awarded a $450,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to advance biodiversity research and provide undergraduate students with hands-on training in genomics and data analysis.
The two-year grant, funded through the NSF’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities Undergraduate Program (HBCU-UP), will support Knight’s project, “Exploring Genomics: Discovering Biodiversity, Supporting Conservation, and Training Future Scientists.”
Through the project, Knight and participating undergraduate researchers will study fungi, plants and slime molds collected from local environments and preserved in scientific collections. The research team will use DNA sequencing and computational tools to identify species, explore their evolutionary relationships and examine how they respond to environmental changes.
“This project reflects our commitment to advancing biodiversity research while providing students with hands-on genomics training that prepares them to address critical challenges in agriculture, biotechnology, conservation and environmental sustainability,” Knight said. “By expanding access to modern scientific tools and research experiences, we are preparing the next generation of scientists to make meaningful contributions across an increasingly complex scientific landscape.”
Fungi, plants and slime molds are essential to healthy ecosystems. These organisms help decompose organic material, recycle nutrients and support life in terrestrial and aquatic environments. However, many remain understudied, and some species may not yet be known to science. A greater understanding of these organisms could contribute to new developments in agriculture, environmental protection, medicine and biotechnology.
The project will also contribute to efforts to document and protect biodiversity, preserve valuable natural history collections and support the potential discovery of useful natural products.
“Dr. Knight’s NSF award will provide her with the resources to significantly advance the interdisciplinary field of mycology and its related areas through scientific research and education while also training students in this important field,” said Dr. Mohammed Qazi, associate dean for research and outreach in Tuskegee University’s College of Arts and Sciences, who has mentored Knight.
Dr. Channa S. Prakash, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, said the award also complements Tuskegee’s continued investment in expanding its genomics research capabilities.
“As we oversee the construction of a new campus facility dedicated to genomics research, this award further advances valuable opportunities for our students to participate in meaningful scientific discovery,” said Dr. Prakash.
In addition to advancing scientific knowledge, the project will give Tuskegee students experience in genomics, biodiversity conservation, laboratory research, and computational data analysis. These skills will help prepare graduates for advanced study and careers in agriculture, biotechnology, environmental science, conservation, and related fields.
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