Rutgers students on stage at Planet Forward’s Storytelling Summit at George Washington University.

For eight Rutgers students, the George Washington University Planet Forward Environmental Storyfest in April was more than a conference. It was an opportunity to show how science storytelling can transform complex research into deeply human stories that connect with audiences far beyond the laboratory.

Representing the university at one of the nation’s leading gatherings for environmental communicators, the students presented Research to Reel: Science Stories in Action, a dynamic showcase of documentary filmmaking, immersive learning and collaborative science communication.

The presentation highlighted work emerging from the Immersive Learning through Science Storytelling Lab at SEBS, where students partner with scientists to document research as it unfolds in real time.

SEBS students Mikayla Pires and Tessa Sandora demonstrate their science storytelling editing process at the Planet Forward summit.

Opening the session were Ecology and Evolution major Colby Koutrakos and Marine Science major Amaya Baez, who introduced the lab’s Science-in-Action Storytelling model, an approach that is grounded in long-term trust and collaboration between storytellers and scientists.

“Our storytelling process focuses on discovery and the action of science as it’s happening,” explained Baez.

That philosophy has become central to the students’ work, allowing them to move beyond traditional science reporting and into the lived experience of research itself.

Koutrakos knows that transformation firsthand. With no prior experience in video storytelling, he immersed himself in hours of ocean exploration footage and eventually rose to become co-editor of Mysteries of 9° North, a feature-length documentary directed by Dena Seidel, who oversees the high-impact science video storytelling projects that integrate students in the creative process.

“Our scientists are real, relatable people who go through trials, difficulties and challenges, even failures in pursuit of their goal,” Koutrakos shared during the presentation.

The documentary centers on the groundbreaking deep-sea microbiology research of Rutgers scientist Costa Vetriani, professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology. During the session, students Bella Burnworth, a Biology major; Ben Lerner, a Philosophy major in the School of Arts and Sciences with a SEBS minor in Environmental Policy, Institutions and Behavior (EPIB); and master’s student Shaniya Utamidata in Ecology and Evolution joined the presentation to unveil the film’s trailer.

More than a preview of the documentary, the trailer offered personal reflections from the students themselves, revealing how the storytelling process reshaped their understanding of science, collaboration and communication. “I wasn’t just documenting the work of this research team. I was actually a part of it,” said Lerner.

For Burnworth, the experience revealed the broader educational power of storytelling-driven science communication. “This has the potential to be a wonderful learning tool for not only students, but the general population as well,” she said.

Utamidata emphasized the role storytelling can play in bridging the divide between researchers and the public. “We now have a clear understanding of how to close the gap between the scientific community and other community members,” she shared.

Frank Sesno, Planet Forward founding director, fifth from left, with eight Rutgers students and their mentors.

The students’ work demonstrated how rigorous scientific research — from deep-sea microbiology to ocean glider fleets, ecosystem change and climate-resilient food crops — can be translated into compelling narratives that engage broad audiences while maintaining scientific authenticity.

Following their stage presentation, students further demonstrated their collaborative production process, sharing how documentary storytelling becomes a vehicle for STEM learning, public engagement and experiential education.

“Watching our storytelling students share their experience, knowledge and commitment to authentic science communication on a national stage was very inspiring,” said Seidel.

Also participating in the Planet Forward experience were Environmental Policy, Institutions, and Behavior major Lauren Koo and Microbiology majors Tessa Sandora and Mikayla Pires, who contributed to the collaborative storytelling initiative.

Rutgers SEBS is a consortium school partner of Planet Forward, an initiative dedicated to empowering the next generation of environmental storytellers. This marked the fourth year Seidel and Xenia Morin, associate teaching professor in the Department of Plant Biology, accompanied Rutgers students to the Storyfest, continuing a growing tradition of engaging students in STEM learning through collaborative storytelling.

Supporting the students at the event was Rutgers graduate Sean Feuer, editor of Mysteries of 9° North, the full-length science-in-action documentary expected to be released this fall. Student participation in Planet Forward was also made possible through support from Rutgers alumni Penny and Don Pray, who also support the lab.

At Planet Forward, Rutgers students did more than present a documentary project. They demonstrated how storytelling can bring science to life — turning research into connection, discovery into understanding and students into powerful ambassadors for science communication.

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SEBS and NJAES faculty reconnect, continuing conversations from the last workshop on their common their research interests.

More than 20 faculty from SEBS and NJAES completed the inaugural “Charting Your Research Pathway” workshop series hosted by the SEBS/NJAES Office of Research this past March. Over six weeks, participants refined their Rutgers research visions, explored new funding opportunities, and received individualized guidance and support from the Office of Research.

“I’m already pursuing concrete research collaborations that grew directly from this [workshop] series,” said Erin Comollo, assistant teaching professor in the RCE Department of Family and Community Health Sciences. Comollo participated in several sessions throughout the series, including the kickoff event in January.

A central focus of the workshop was building faculty capacity to engage in Convergence Research—a problem-driven approach that brings together multiple disciplines to collaboratively address complex challenges.

Participants Elaine Griffin and Erin Comollo, mid-discussion.

“A Rutgers SEBS and NJAES aim is to produce high quality research that is informed by and responds to community needs. It’s in our mission as a land grant and amplified through the Academic Master Plan. Convergence research is a way for us to bring together the impressive breadth of expertise across all of Rutgers and our partner networks,” said Josh Kohut, SEBS Dean of Research and NJAES Director of Research, and co-leader of the workshop series.

Through the series, attendees reported a stronger understanding of convergence research and how their work at SEBS and NJAES aligns with this approach. “I came with questions about how to develop research that honored both academic rigor and community need—but I wasn’t sure where to start,” said Comollo. “Connecting with faculty who were asking similar questions about transdisciplinary collaboration and community-engaged undergraduate education gave me both collaborators and an intellectual community.”

The workshop was intentionally designed to foster cross-departmental exchange within SEBS/NJAES, as well as connections between early-career and senior faculty. In post-workshop evaluations, participants highlighted the meaningful relationships they built with colleagues beyond their own departments.

“It was important to have junior faculty mentored by senior faculty in this series,” said Elaine Griffin, associate director of grants facilitation within the SEBS/NJAES Office of Research. Griffin was one of several experts, both within and beyond Rutgers University, who provided guidance to participants. Faculty also:

• Were briefed on the current federal funding landscape by Samantha Booth (Associate Director of Federal Relations, Office of Federal Relations), Dominique Carter (Principal, Lewis-Burke Associates), and Sarah Gianotti (Legislative Research Assistant, Lewis-Burke Associates)
• Received counsel on engaging with foundations from Gabrielle Peterson (Executive Director of Development, SEBS), Tracy Elliot (Senior Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations, Rutgers–New Brunswick), and Elaine Griffin
• Were advised on building industry partnerships by Wade Trappe (Dean of Research, School of Engineering), David Specca (Assistant Director, EcoComplex), Kit Yam (Professor, Department of Food Science), Melissa Vinch (Contract Manager, Research Contract Services), and Melissa Matsil (Executive Director, Research Contract Services)
• Were guided on writing concept papers by Oscar Schofield (Department Chair, Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences), Dipak Sarkar (Director of the Endocrine Program, Department of Animal Sciences), Anne Nielsen (Associate Extension Specialist in Entomology, Department of Entomology), and Changlu Wang (Extension Specialist in Entomology, Department of Entomology)

SEBS and NJAES faculty have constructive discussions on potential collaboration.

“Our goal was for each participant to walk away with a clear research roadmap, one that could help them connect with faculty collaborators and pursue projects addressing some of society’s grand challenges,” said Janice McDonnell, SEBS Associate Dean of Research Impact and co-leader of the workshop series.

Many faculty have already taken that message to heart, developing concept papers and proposals for submission to funding opportunities both within and beyond Rutgers. This includes an internal grant from the SEBS/NJAES Office of Research that provides seed funding for Rutgers teams seeking to further explore convergence research ideas. While applications for this cycle have closed, the Office of Research remains optimistic about the long-term impact of this work.

Faculty interested in strengthening their research impact are encouraged to contact Janice McDonnell, Associate Dean of Research Impact at SEBS, at mcdonnel@marine.rutgers.edu

Editor’s note: This article was written by Mitaali Taskar, a science communicator and research project assistant with Rutgers Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences.

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Shelin Pompey (SEBS’26) proudly displays her handiwork restoring the living wall in the Floriculture Greenhouse on the George H. Cook campus.

What began as a grey, aging installation inside the Floriculture Greenhouse on the George H. Cook campus has been transformed into a vibrant, living work of art—thanks to the vision, persistence and creativity of Rutgers graduating student Shelin Pompey.

A senior majoring in plant science with a concentration in horticulture and turf industry at the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences (SEBS), Pompey took on the ambitious task as part of her experiential learning (EL) journey. The project: redesign and restore a living wall that was originally installed nearly 20 years ago by alumni Michael Coraggio and Ryan Burrows.

Pompey began her Rutgers journey in 2020 at the School of Arts and Sciences but transferred to SEBS in 2024, initially choosing to major in food science “but ended up loving plant science and switched majors!”

For her, the EL opportunity was more than an academic assignment; it was a defining moment.

Shelin Pompey (SEBS’26) restoring the living wall as part of her SEBS experiential learning experience.

“The living wall was grey and barren for months, while behind the scenes there was tons of research and prep,” Pompey said. “We really had to trust the process—but seeing it come back to life made everything worth it.”

The project was coordinated by Nrupali Patel, undergraduate program director of Plant Science, and supervised by Rutgers Gardens Assistant Director (Greenhouses) Daniel Jacobs. It required both technical expertise and creative vision, with Pompey involved in every stage—from repairing irrigation systems to selecting plant varieties suited for a vertical aquaponic environment..

“Shelin could not have done a better job with the project,” said Jacobs. “From day one, she asked thoughtful questions, set clear goals, and was attentive to every detail. She made biology-based decisions about plant selection and demonstrated both professionalism and a strong work ethic throughout.”

Behind the scenes, Pompey tackled real-world challenges that pushed her beyond the typical classroom environment.

“My most memorable obstacle was fixing a stubborn leak in the irrigation system,” she said. “It seemed simple at first, but it took weeks of trial and error before we found the right solution. In the end, we had to replace part of the pipe entirely, but that process taught me patience and problem-solving.”

Through that experience, Pompey deepened her technical knowledge while developing critical soft skills, like adaptability, resilience and collaboration.

“I learned that you could plan everything perfectly, but nature will still do its own thing,” she explained. “You have to stay adaptable and open-minded. The plants don’t follow your plan—you learn to work with them.”

The project also became a powerful example of mentorship and community within SEBS. Pompey credits Jacobs, greenhouse staff, faculty members and alumni collaborators for guiding her along the way.

“Research is important, but the most impactful lessons came from the people I connected with,” she said. “Learning to accept help and ask questions made all the difference.”

Shelin Pompey (SEBS’26) and her experiential learning project supervisor, Rutgers Gardens Assistant Director (Greenhouses) Daniel Jacobs, partway through the eco wall restoration.

With support from alumni—including EcoWalls founder Michael Coraggio, who provided plant recommendations and resources—the wall now reflects a renewed diversity of plant life and student-driven design.

Beyond technical growth, the EL experience reshaped Pompey’s outlook on her future as her SEBS tenure comes to an end in May.

“This project opened my eyes to how I can combine horticulture and art,” she said. “It showed me that creativity has a place in plant science and that I can build a career doing something that fulfills me.”

Looking ahead, Pompey hopes to continue working in green spaces—gardens, parks and conservatories—where she can merge environmental stewardship with creative expression.

“Plants teach us resilience, patience and growth,” she said. “I want to create spaces where people can connect with nature the way I have.”

Patel could not agree more and is working towards developing additional opportunities for students to connect.

“The Plant Science undergraduate program is currently developing new experiential learning projects in the floriculture greenhouse, with upcoming opportunities in hydroponics, flower bulb production and soil amendment assays—all in partnership with industry to build practical, career-ready skills,” she said.

For students considering experiential learning opportunities in any major, Pompey offers simple but powerful advice:

“Never stop learning and don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty.”

Through her work, Pompey has cultivated a lasting example of what experiential learning can achieve, fulfilling its goal to practically apply disciplinary knowledge, discover passions and build confidence to prepare students for what comes next.

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In middle of students from left to right Students with the Executive Marketing Director David Troupos, Vice President and Community Manager Melvin Rodriguez, Branch Manager Andrea Rodriguez, Vice President and Community Development Manager Seyi Ola, JP Morgan Chase & Co. team following their community resources and career session, held on March 26, 2026, at Rutgers.

In a traditional classroom, learning often ends when the lecture does. But during Spring 2026 at Rutgers University–New Brunswick, students engaging with the Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics (DAFRE) stepped into something different—an experience where coursework extended directly into conversations with industry leaders, entrepreneurs and decision-makers.

Sonal Pandey, lecturer in the Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics.

Guided by Sonal Pandey, a lecturer in DAFRE, the externship-driven course in Business Finance and Innovation and Entrepreneurship reimagined what it means to prepare students for real careers.

“This initiative grew directly from the conviction that the most transformative learning happens when students are in the room with the people who are actually doing the work,” Pandey said.

She created and designed the Spring 2026 industry engagement series around a simple but powerful idea: exposure to real professionals, who grapple with real challenges, is not an enhancement to learning, but the learning itself.

“Students in agricultural and resource economics are solving some of the most complex problems of our time, like food security, sustainability and community development,” she said. “They deserve direct access to the people doing that work professionally.”

Over the semester, students engaged directly with leaders such as Sho Islam, Director of the Office of Business Engagement for Middlesex County; Melvin Rodriguez, Vice President of Community Banking and Business Development at JPMorgan Chase & Co.; and Lukman Ramsey, Head of AI Solutions and former Google leader in public sector innovation.

Each session was intentionally structured, ranging from founder talks and mock interviews to live pitch simulations. Students were not passive listeners, but active participants navigating real-world scenarios.

Students from Innovation and Entrepreneurship class in the Environmental and Business Economics major.

And for Pandey, what set the experience apart was what happened after the sessions ended.

“When a student tells you they followed up with a JPMorgan VP, or that a guest speaker invited them to a professional conference where they made real connections for their startup—that is not a classroom outcome,” Pandey said. “That is a career outcome. This program exists to make that the norm, not the exception.”

Connecting Conversations to Career Pathways for Students

For many students, those outcomes became immediate and tangible.

Sarah B. Hogan followed up with a JPMorgan executive and secured introductions to professionals in her target field—transforming a single classroom interaction into an expanding professional network.

Don O. Lopez, a student from Pandey’s “Innovation and Entrepreneurship” class, has been invited for an interview by Seyi Ola, JPMorgan’s Vice President and Community Development Manager.

Anjo Therattil, Founder & CEO of Lock Guard, presenting to the Innovation and Entrepreneurship class on January 29, 2026.

Kush Kavadia leveraged a post-session conversation into LinkedIn connections and outreach within the energy and sustainability sector. “This course completely changed how I approach my job search,” he said, noting a shift toward relationship-building over traditional applications.

Marian J. Hollenbeck turned a conversation with Sho Islam into a real-world opportunity. “Sho told me about an event the following week that I attended,” she said. “I made several connections personally and for my hydroponic farming project that I hope will take off in the near future.”

Beyond individual success stories, the externship model reshaped how students think about careers, entrepreneurship and opportunity.

Isaac Levin, who followed up with industry professionals after class, is now being introduced to senior leaders in the sustainability field—an outcome that would be difficult to replicate through traditional coursework alone.

For Aneil L. Persaud, hearing a peer founder present a startup journey reignited his own ambitions. “The spark is back,” he said. “I’m excited for the future.”

Across the cohort, students reported a fundamental shift: entrepreneurship was no longer viewed simply as starting a company, but as identifying and solving real problems—often in collaboration with others.

Designing a Model for the Future

Pandey, an academic with more than 18 years of experience across economics, business administration and AI integration, also brings a global perspective shaped by her work at institutions such as Hannan University and Shanghai Technical University.

Her long-term vision is to formalize what Spring 2026 demonstrated: a structured externship and industry engagement program embedded within DAFRE.

“This externship initiative is my way of building that bridge,” she said. “I want to see it become a permanent part of what this department offers every student.”

Such a program would create sustained partnerships across agriculture, finance, sustainability and entrepreneurship, offering students not just exposure, but continuity through mentorship pipelines and co-curricular experiences.

What began as a course innovation has the potential to become a model for how higher education can evolve to meet the realities of today’s workforce.

And for Pandey, the goal is not simply to repeat it, but to scale it.

“This is about building something lasting,” she said. “A system where every student has the opportunity to step into the room and leave with a future already in motion.”

Pictured 4th from left is Sho Islam, Director of the Office of Business Engagement, Department of Economic Development, New Jersey, with students, following his presentation. DAFRE’s Sonal Pandey is front row, fifth from left.

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Over 1,300 students have participated in a New Jersey Youth Institute at Rutgers since its inception in 2016. Photo: OPOC

More than a decade after its founding, the New Jersey Youth Institute (NJYI) continues to grow as a leading platform for high school students to engage with global food security challenges. This March, the 10th annual NJYI welcomed 140 students from across the New York–New Jersey region to Rutgers University, where they gathered at the Busch Student Center for a day of research presentations, collaboration, and innovation.

Hosted by the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences (SEBS) in partnership with the World Food Prize Foundation, the event challenged students to explore complex issues surrounding global hunger, sustainability, and agricultural development. Since its founding in 2016, the NJYI has engaged more than 1,300 students, reflecting its steady growth and impact over the past decade.

Some of the 140 students who participated in the 2026 New Jersey Youth Institute held at Rutgers.

This year alone, the students presented research addressing food security challenges across more than 70 countries, demonstrating both the global scope of the program and the depth of student inquiry. The Institute continues to inspire future career pathways, with 82% of participants expressing interest in pursuing fields related to food security, agriculture, or sustainability.

“I have participated in the New Jersey Youth Institute for over three years,” said Tvisha Jagannathan, student at Woodbridge Academy Magnet School. “What I really liked about this experience is that it gave me an opportunity to present my research in front of judges and get advice and insights from them to improve and make an impact in the world. It also gave me opportunities to network, make new friends, meet new people and find partnerships for research and to implement my solutions and my actions.”

The day’s program highlighted both the Institute’s growth and its meaningful impact. Laura Lawson, SEBS executive dean, welcomed students to campus and emphasized the opportunities available at Rutgers to deepen academic knowledge, engage in research, and develop as future leaders. Julie Traxler, associate dean in the SEBS Office of Academic Programs, underscored the Institute’s role in shaping students’ academic and personal development.

NJYI alumna, Allison Huang, presented the keynote address at the 2026 New Jersey Youth Institute hosted by Rutgers. Photo: OPOC

Participants also heard from alumna Allison Huang, whose journey from Youth Institute participant to Global Challenge Awardee reflects the program’s long-term influence.

“The Youth Institute allowed me to engage with global issues on a higher level and understand how global and multifaceted the issue of food insecurity is,” said Huang. “Through seeing different perspectives and how interconnected we are in facing these challenges, whether that’s through issues shared across borders or combining different ideas together to tackle a new obstacle, the Youth Institutes teach that these are problems that we can address together.”

Throughout the day, students presented their Global Challenge research to more than 30 Rutgers faculty members and community partners. They also participated in interactive workshops exploring public health, food waste, and water systems, working collaboratively to identify challenges and develop actionable solutions grounded in their own communities.

As the New Jersey Youth Institute enters its second decade, it continues to empower students with the tools, knowledge, and connections needed to address one of the world’s most pressing issues: building sustainable and equitable food systems for the future.

Read more in the article, “Growing Changemakers: Youth Leading the Fight Against Hunger,” published by the World Food Prize Foundation.

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A talented group of Cook College and SEBS alumni, staff, volunteers, and students collaborated on a beautiful, award-winning display at this year’s North Jersey Orchid Society show at the Douglass Student Center. Photo by Daniel Jacobs

The North Jersey Orchid Society show returned to the Douglass Student Center on the Rutgers–New Brunswick campus this January, featuring a dynamic botanical display that showcased some of the plants growing at the Floriculture Greenhouse.

Danielle Lohrman (SEBS’27) makes sure the display plants look their best. Photo by Daniel Jacobs

Held January 16–18, the free annual event welcomed hobbyist growers, commercial producers and plant enthusiasts to enjoy and connect over this much-loved flowering plant family. Rutgers Gardens was a 2026 co-sponsor and exhibitor. Daniel Jacobs, assistant director: greenhouses for Rutgers Gardens, coordinated the activities for students to show off their skills and creativity in this year’s exhibit.

“I was excited to have such a great crew of students—eight Rutgers Gardens student horticulturists and two Floriculture Greenhouse students—involved in the creation of our display. The students worked alongside me, greenhouse assistant Sophia Gonzales, alumni Michael Bowell and Katie Majorossy, Nicki Graf (former Floriculture Greenhouse manager), and Plant Biology staff member Gary Huntzinger to select plants, spruce them up, and design and construct a 48-square -foot display that showcased the 28 individual orchids competing for ribbons at the show.”

Aidan Icasiano (SCI’26), who helped build the display, learned in his Intro to Horticulture class that New Jersey was once a prominent figure in the orchid industry. “Seeing all these people at the NJOS show who are really passionate about orchids reminded me of that,” illustrating how student experiences at events like this can amplify classroom-based learning.

Aidan’s fellow interns at Rutgers Gardens include Solana Garcia (SEBS ’27) and David Ackerman (SEBS ’26), who is earning a bachelor of science in landscape architecture (BSLA) degree. All were new to working with orchids but enjoyed collaborating on the display design with the group. “It was eye opening,” Solana says. “I didn’t know this world of orchids existed. But it’s a whole community of wonderful people who are all so nice. It was also cool to see Rutgers alumni support the event.”

One such alum is Michael Bowell (CC’78), who spearheaded the construction of the display. He shared details of his time working alongside the students:

Rutgers Gardens student horticulturists and Floriculture Greenhouse Assistant Sophia Gonzales construct the orchid display. Photo by Daniel Jacobs

“When I started with Rutgers Alumni Growers and Exhibitors (RAGE) many years ago with my friend Nicki Graf, I had no idea where it might lead. This year, I had the best team yet at the NJOS annual show. I came in with some building blocks such as flowering orchid plants and props. I was greeted by eight very enthusiastic students who built the exhibit. It was especially interesting having Landscape Architecture students on that team. Their observations and suggestions were spot on.”

Throughout the show weekend, the students answered questions about their display and championed the Rutgers Gardens Internship Program to members of the community. Danielle Lohrman (SEBS’27) was even asked to judge orchids and displays at the show.

She shares how this invitation came about. “I helped set up the display with the group of Rutgers Alumni Growers and Exhibitors. I was able to use my perspective as a Landscape Architecture major to create a beautiful arrangement of several orchid varieties. When the display was finished, I took the opportunity to talk to people at the event and had a wonderful conversation with Carrie Buchman, past NJOS president and show chair, and an accredited American Orchid Society (AOS) judge. She gave me the opportunity to be on the judging panel for the show, and I was quickly thrown into the world of orchid culture! Before the event, I didn’t know a single thing about orchids. Now, I can ace a round of orchid trivia and have a newfound appreciation for these beautiful plants. I even bought two of them at the show! This was a rare and wonderful experience and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this community. I met so many incredible people, made many new friends, and gained extensive knowledge of this field.”

Kaitlin Gotting (SEBS’28) readies the plants in the Floriculture Greenhouse. Photo by Daniel Jacobs.

Lauren Errickson, director of Rutgers Gardens and campus stewardship, says “co-hosting the NJOS annual orchid show reinforces how Rutgers Gardens, as the university botanical garden, can facilitate key connections between our students, community and the horticulture industry, including with alumni who continue to engage with our school and help support the next generation of plant enthusiasts along the way.”

This was the first year in recent memory that Carrie Buchman wasn’t a co-chair. She took a break because she spends much of her time as an AOS judge, traveling to orchid shows all over the country and even internationally. Judges are not paid for their services. When asked why she volunteers both her time and her travel costs, Carrie responds, “You see some amazing stuff.”

She’s also thrilled that this annual show at Trayes Hall in the Douglass Student Center has continued. “There are now 11 AOS awards given out at the NJOS Annual Show, which is practically unheard of, in a good way.” That is an indicator of the growth potential this collaborative event has, with countless opportunities for student involvement and volunteering, both with future events and within the local orchid societies to continue gaining experience and education. “It’s a huge effort to put this event on. The partnership between the NJOS and Rutgers is a big win and a mutually beneficial relationship for everybody.”

At the NJOS show, Carrie is responsible for creating all plant labels and ensuring they are correct at each display, which is a very involved and detailed process. She notes, “It’s like pulling teeth,” to get all the plant registration sheets with the information to perform these duties. This year, the students managed the process for the RAGE display, and according to Carrie, “They did an amazing job. Everything was delivered on time right to my email address without any issues or need to chase down the information.”

Rutgers Gardens students celebrate their collection of ribbons for the orchid display they helped create. From left to right: Danielle Lohrman, Solana Garcia, Grace Silva, and David Ackerman. Photo by Moira Keihm

Daniel Jacobs continues, “The group was awarded 15 total ribbons, including 8 first place ribbons for different orchid categories, and the exhibit won second prize in the display category! I’m proud of how well our students did, many of whom hadn’t handled an orchid until this weekend. It brought me joy to watch our students connect with alumni and learn and laugh with them.”

“I am so proud of them,” states Michael Bowell. “Dan is doing a great job there at the Floriculture Greenhouse. I am committed to serving as a volunteer with Rutgers students as long as they’ll have me. It’s my way of celebrating my success in horticulture and giving back to RU. I spend some of my best years as a Rutgers student, building the Hortus Society and helping organize the flower show in Blake Hall in 1978, as well as being a member of the RU Marching Band!”

North Jersey Orchid Society volunteers come to the Rutgers Floriculture Greenhouse four to six times per year to pot up and care for orchid plants, and to share their knowledge with students. At the annual show, Rutgers Gardens staff were also given a special behind-the-scenes tour by Joseph Rohal, co-chair of the NJOS Annual Show. Says Jacobs, “The team learned about the American Orchid Society and its judging criteria, the role local chapters like NJOS play in building community and spreading knowledge, and a little bit about this very diverse plant family. Despite the cold and snow, I would call the show a success!”

A version of this article originally appeared in the January 2026 Friends of Rutgers Gardens newsletter. Subscribe to receive monthly updates from Rutgers Gardens here.

One of the gorgeous orchid displays at the NJOS annual show. Photo by Bayard Saraduke

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Apprentices explore the oyster nursery at the Aquaculture Innovation Center (AIC). Photo: Jenny Shinn

Ryan Myers became interested in New Jersey’s oyster farming industry two years ago when a Rutgers aquaculture expert spoke at his high school. 

Myers, now 18, heard about Apprenticeship in Shellfish Aquaculture Program  (ASAP), a workforce development program offered through Rutgers and its partners connecting students with businesses to learn about New Jersey’s oyster farming and receive on-the-job training.

The program starts with a one-week boot camp of intensified training followed by eight weeks of apprenticeship at a business. Students learn about shellfish hatchery operations in parallel with small business skills such as marketing, balancing finances and aquaculture regulations.

“The boot camp is the heart of the program,” said Michael Acquafredda, assistant extension specialist in aquaculture at Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, who spoke at Myers’ school. “It ensures that each apprentice receives basic training and can operate safely on a farm. But the apprentices really develop their skills during their farm-based work placements, and they learn those skills directly from our partner farmers.”

Matt Williams (left) and Ryan Myers (right) pose by the Cape Shore Laboratory, where ASAP’s bootcamp is hosted. Photo: Mitaali Taskar

The program appealed to Myers. 

That summer he began working under the guidance of Matt Williams, who owns South Bay Shellfish Company, a wholesale oyster farming and shucking company in Cape May. The operation is fairly local – most, but not all, of his oysters are sold in Cape May County. It’s also a small operating team, consisting only of him, his wife, his brother and now Myers.

The timing of Myers’ arrival was right. The business was being housed in a new building with new machinery and Williams said he “wanted another set of hands to see the optimal rate of hands needed to work this machinery.”

By learning to cultivate oysters and other shellfish, Myers and students like him walk a path deeply rooted in New Jersey history. Rutgers has been involved in shellfishery research since the late 1800s and the Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory is now situated in Port Norris, N.J., which is a historic oyster village with a rich history of harvesting and shucking.

Oyster production in New Jersey reached its heyday in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, but, after years of overharvesting and two devastating diseases (MSX in the 1950s and Dermo around the 1980s and 1990s), the oyster populations dwindled. In response, Rutgers committed to breeding disease-resistant oyster lines. Today, the seeds from those lines are can be licensed by local farmers.

New Jersey oysters have been making a comeback since the 2010s – and the Rutgers Coastal Campus has spent the past 100-plus years supporting this resurgence.

ASAP was designed by the Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory (part of the Rutgers Coastal Campus), the New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium, and local industry partners.

“Oyster farming is a restorative practice,” Acquafredda said. “ASAP supports our greater mission at the Haskin lab to make our science usable and used.”

As of 2023, the New Jersey shellfish industry accounted for about 90% of New Jersey’s total aquaculture sales. Direct sales of mollusks, namely oysters and clams, had an estimated value of $11.78 million, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service. With ASAP, students have the opportunity to engage in this blue economy.

Since its inception in 2022 to now, ASAP has worked within the Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, Monmouth, Ocean and Salem counties to promote aquaculture literacy. Through in-classroom lessons, the ASAP team has engaged more than 1,500 high school students in an effort to educate and recruit. Of those that apply, less than 15 students are selected for the program each year.

An apprentice (left) works with Lisa Calvo (right) during the summer program.
Photo: Jenny Shinn

ASAP was envisioned to hook young people into an industry they might not have even heard of and fill a need for seasonal and full-time workers. The program has trained 33 students, with 64% of the latest cohort continuing to work with their partner farmers in some capacity in the summer after the program ended.

“I don’t think there is a program like this elsewhere in the state,” said Jenny Shinn, a Rutgers field researcher who works with Acquafredda. She specializes in oyster restoration and community education.

The program was designed from the start to include members of the local industry as much as possible. One of the original collaborators is Lisa Calvo, a former Rutgers marine scientist and celebrated oyster farmer whose restaurant, Sweet Amalia Market & Kitchen, was named in the New York Times’ 2024 Restaurant List. 

“ASAP was her brainchild,” Acquafredda said. “Because of her uniquely keen insight into the skills the oyster industry needs “[Lisa] keeps us real and realistic.”

Acquafredda also collaborates with Diana Burich, the New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium’s director of education, to design this out-of-school educational experience. Together, they run a part of the program out of the Cape Shore Laboratory and the New Jersey Aquaculture Innovation Center, both part of the Rutgers Coastal Campus.

ASAP has been renewed until 2027 by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Sea Grant Program and organizers of the program hope to eventually turn ASAP into a sustainable long-term partnership with its industry partners.

During the apprenticeship, Myers and Williams were working full-time, often spending around half the day in the water and half the day sorting the catch. Along the way, Williams found himself teaching Myers other crucial skills that popped up when running an oyster farm, such as welding.

Myers chose to stay with the company after the program. These days he is simultaneously working with Williams and earning a data science degree online. Myers said he plans to continue working on the farm after he graduates and starts looking for a job in his field of study.

“If AI takes tech away from me, at least oyster farming works out,” he said jokingly.

Williams said Myers “came with a good work ethic. And if you learn how to work hard as a teenager, it sets you up for life.” 

Williams credits ASAP for selecting hard-working candidates who are keen to listen, learn and work. He added students “don’t have to want to work here their whole life, but it does teach them hard work and responsibility.”

Editor’s note: This article was written by Mitaali Taskar, a science communicator and research project assistant with Rutgers Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences, and first appeared in Rutgers Today. 

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Attendees in the SEBS Office of Research’s inaugural “Charting a Research Pathway” event, get to know each other, discussing their field, research and impact work.

Faculty from SEBS and NJAES gathered on Rutgers’ Cook Campus in January to kick off a dialogue that the SEBS Office of Research hopes will lead to an increase in the high-quality, cross-disciplinary research at Rutgers that often significantly impacts the state and our society, at large.

The in-person event was the kickoff of the office’s inaugural “Charting a Research Pathway” series. Over the next few months, more than 35 faculty members will delve into their own research vision, understand where their own career hopes and goals intersect, and collaborate across disciplines to develop transdisciplinary research efforts that address various impact areas.

Attendees get to know each other, discussing their field, research, and impact work.

By design, this workshop series will position SEBS/NJAES research and extension faculty to find maximum synergy. Together, they will leverage each other’s expertise and networks to develop research plans that have both a high standard of quality research and societal impact. 

“Research and Extension are not two separate activities,” said Josh Kohut, dean of research at SEBS and director of research at NJAES. “We are meant to do this work together.” 

In undertaking this work, faculty attendees hope to position themselves strategically in the currently shifting research landscape. This landscape was elucidated by the workshop’s various speakers, including Brian Schilling, director, Rutgers Cooperative Extension; Dominique Carter, Ph.D. of Lewis-Burke Associates; George LeBlanc, vice president for government and fiscal affairs in the Department of Government Relations at Rutgers; and Kay Bidle, professor, Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences.

At this kickoff, attendees received advice on how to be more proactive in their research pursuits. In frank and informative talks, both Carter and LeBlanc discussed how the national and state research priorities are shifting focus toward use-inspired research, as well as how SEBS and NJAES faculty can respond.

Both speakers emphasized a focus on societal impact in conjunction with their research. They also noted how the funding calls from some government agencies increasingly look for cross-disciplinary teams to undertake large, highly impactful research. 

“Finding research funding can be challenging, but those challenges often spark the clarity needed to refine a powerful research vision. Through this workshop series, we’re helping faculty turn the funding landscape into an opportunity.  We want SEBS faculty to have an opportunity to articulate their goals, strengthen their ideas, and position their work for the greatest impact “said Janice McDonnell, SEBS Associate Dean of Research Impact.

Kay Bidle, professor, Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences, described his team’s research approach to “Convergence Research.”

McDonnell notes “identifying the right funding can be a challenge, but it’s also a meaningful step toward building a research vision that aligns with our land grant mission. Through this workshop series, we’re helping faculty transform the search for resources for long-term transdisciplinary impact.”

This was further stressed by Bidle. At Rutgers, he has pursued an area of research prioritized by NSF called Convergence Research—an idea that became of interest to several attendees.

“In convergence research, cross-discipline co-creation is absolutely essential,” Bidle said, as he explained the cross-field interconnected nature of his research group. He attributed closely integrated, cross-field collaboration and incubation as essential to the new discoveries found within the project. “That’s the type of thing NSF is looking for in funded projects tackling grand challenge questions.”

“I really want to make this happen in my world,” said Elizabeth Snyder, associate professor, Department of Animal Sciences, who attended the workshop. Snyder is looking forward to convening a team within her department and beyond to develop a convergence research approach.

As the workshop series progresses, attendees will have the opportunity to explore research questions that will require collaboration between fields from the start. They will also gain more insight into federal, foundation, and industry funding opportunities. In the end, they will work in cross-disciplinary teams to develop their own transdisciplinary concept paper ready for funding calls.

For faculty interested in developing their research impact potential, please contact Janice McDonnell, Associate Dean of Research Impact at SEBS, at mcdonnel@marine.rutgers.edu.

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NJAES Executive Director Laura Lawson addresses delegates at the 2026 Northeast Agricultural Expo in Atlantic City.

Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES) played a leading role in shaping the 2026 Northeast Agricultural Expo (formerly the New Jersey Agricultural Convention and Trade Show), held January 21–23 at Harrah’s Resort and Waterfront Conference Center in Atlantic City.

In remarks to the delegates, NJAES Executive Director Laura Lawson expressed appreciation to Secretary of Agriculture Ed Wengryn, Assemblywoman Andrea Katz, State Board of Agriculture President Bob Blew, Farm Bureau President Alan Carter, and the representatives of New Jersey’s agricultural community for the opportunity to once again address the convention. She conveyed greetings on behalf of Rutgers University President William F. Tate IV, Chancellor Francine Conway and Provost Jason Geary, noting Rutgers’ deep commitment to its land-grant mission and to serving the state’s agricultural community at the highest levels of university leadership.

Director of Rutgers Cooperative extension Brian Shilling listens attentively during the 2026 Northeast Agricultural Expo.

Lawson also highlighted the release of the 2025 NJAES Annual Report and reaffirmed the experiment station’s focus on four critical issue areas that build sustainable and resilient communities across New Jersey: advancing viable agriculture and aquaculture; ensuring healthy outcomes in food, nutrition, and health; promoting positive youth development; and protecting and sustaining natural resources. Together, she noted, these priorities demonstrate NJAES’s continued dedication to innovation, partnership and practical solutions that strengthen New Jersey agriculture and the communities it supports.

In partnership with the Vegetable Growers Association of New Jersey, NJAES’ Rutgers Cooperative Extension (RCE) helped deliver one of the region’s most comprehensive agricultural education programs—reinforcing the university’s impact on farm viability and the state’s agricultural economy.

RCE agricultural agents Michelle Infante-Casella (Gloucester County) and William Bamka (Burlington County) co-chaired the wide-ranging Rutgers educational program, coordinating 82 presenters across three days of workshops and concurrent sessions. The event drew a sold-out trade show floor and strong statewide participation from farmers, agricultural professionals, 4-H and FFA students, and industry partners.

Pre-convention workshops set the tone with hands-on, practical learning experiences. Sessions focused on On-Farm Food Safety, Pesticide Safety, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Pest Diagnostics, and Farm Labor and Regulations—core areas where Rutgers research directly supports farm productivity, regulatory compliance, and environmental stewardship.

New for 2026, the IPM Workshop provided interactive training with microscopes, pheromone traps, and pest specimens, translating Rutgers research into real-world applications growers can implement immediately.

RCE hosted five concurrent morning sessions and five afternoon sessions on day one that covered a wide range of commodities and production systems. Topics included Technology for Field Crop Production, Vegetable Production, Tree Fruit and Small Fruit, Nursery Crops, Blueberries and Greenhouse Production. These sessions highlighted science-based practices that increase crop yields, improve quality, reduce input costs, and promote sustainable land management—key drivers of New Jersey’s multibillion-dollar agricultural sector.

Timothy Waller, RCE agricultural agent and department head (Cumberland County) who works with nursery crops, conducts one of the multiple Rutgers educational programs delivered in partnership with the Vegetable Growers Association of New Jersey.

Day two highlighted by a keynote address from Temple Grandin, world-renowned animal scientist and professor at the University of Colorado. Her presentation drew farmers, educators, 4-H members and FFA students from across the region. Rutgers strategically aligned its Equine and Livestock sessions with Grandin’s appearance, further strengthening engagement with the animal agriculture community. Additional educational sessions led by Rutgers faculty and agents addressed Environmental Issues in Agriculture, Soil Health and Cover Cropping, Cut Flower Production, Agricultural Technology, Agricultural Marketing and Specialty Crops.

Beyond knowledge transfer, the expo delivered direct professional value. The RCE program provided NJDEP Pesticide Applicator Recertification Credits—offering more credits than in 2025—and reinforced critical safety and pest management practices. RCE personnel remain central to pesticide education and the state’s licensing process, helping ensure that New Jersey agriculture operates safely, sustainably, and in compliance with state regulations.

By translating university research into actionable guidance, Rutgers continues to strengthen key pillars of New Jersey’s agricultural economy, including farm profitability, environmental resilience, and workforce development.

With momentum growing and planning already underway for the 2027 Expo, Rutgers Cooperative Extension remains at the forefront of advancing innovation, collaboration, and economic vitality across the Garden State’s agricultural community.

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Patrick McMullen

Please join me in welcoming Patrick McMullen as our newest tenure-track faculty member. Patrick joins us from Cornell University, where he recently completed his PhD focused on soilborne pathogen management and healthy crop establishment. He earned a

bachelor’s degree in biology from Lebanon Valley College in Pennsylvania. He joins our faculty and staff at the Atlantic County office of Rutgers Cooperative Extension in Mays Landing, where his outreach and Extension practice will focus on sustainable commercial vegetable production.

I wish to thank the search committee, chaired by Gary Pavlis, for their diligence in recruiting, reviewing, and interviewing candidates.

A big “Thank You” goes out to local growers John Vanni and Jennifer LaMonaca, members of the search committee, and all the members of the Atlantic County Board of Agriculture for their commitment to filling this position and providing farm visits for all of our candidates.

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