SEBS “Bring Your Child to Work Day” attendees gather in front of Martin Hall on the George H. Cook Campus. Photo: OPOC

The School of Environmental and Biological Sciences (SEBS) came alive with energy, laughter and discovery on April 23 as it hosted its annual “Bring Your Child to Work Day,” a growing tradition that continues to deepen connections across the SEBS community while sparking curiosity in the next generation.

Lia Papathomas, director of External Relations and Strategic Initiatives at SEBS/NJAES, pictured with her sons during the Bioblitz and String Safari event. Photo: OPOC

Now in its fourth year since its launch in 2023, the event welcomed 60 pre-teens and teens alongside 33 parents for a full day of immersive, hands-on learning across the vibrant George H. Cook Campus.

“Bring Your Child to Work Day” is a special opportunity to connect our SEBS community across generations. By welcoming the children of our faculty and staff onto campus, we hope to spark early interest in science, discovery and the meaningful work we do every day,” said Laura Lawson, executive dean of SEBS.

From science exploration to creative expression, every corner of the campus became a gateway to discovery.

The day unfolded as an adventure in environmental exploration, beginning with the popular Bioblitz and String Safari. Here, young participants stepped into the role of field scientists, learning firsthand how challenging—and exciting—it can be to observe and document biodiversity. With curiosity as their guide, they combed through garden spaces, identifying and classifying living organisms while gaining a deeper appreciation for the complexity of ecosystems.

Inside the NJAES Research Greenhouse, students and parents alike experienced science in action. The greenhouse tour revealed how plants are cultivated and studied in controlled environments, connecting research to everyday life—from the food on our tables to sustainable solutions for the planet.

Gary Panetta, assistant dean in the SEBS Office of Academic Programs, and his child visit the Nutritional Sciences Teaching Kitchen, which hosted the “Twist & Learn: Pretzel Nutrition Fun” event. Photo: OPOC

In celebration of National Pretzel Day, the Department of Nutritional Sciences hosted Twist & Learn: Pretzel Nutrition Fun, where learning met laughter in the kitchen. Guided by instructor Melissa Keresztes, participants explored the science of carbohydrates while shaping their own pretzels—an engaging reminder that nutrition can be both educational and delicious.

This year also marked an exciting expansion of the program with the launch of a pilot high school track, designed to engage teens aged 15 and older in deeper academic and career exploration. Through curated experiences—including a campus tour, faculty-led discussions, and an interactive communication workshop—students were introduced to the breadth of opportunities within SEBS.

The teens explored the Waksman Museum of Microbiology and engaged in wellness and mindfulness activities that offered moments of reflection amid the day’s excitement. Academic talks and lab tours provided a glimpse into cutting-edge research, helping students envision themselves as future scientists, innovators and leaders.

Teens enjoyed the Bloom & Build: Terrariums, Plants, and Plant Careers event at the Floriculture Greenhouse on the George H. Cook Campus. Photo: OPOC

Creativity and nature came together in Bloom & Build: Terrariums, Plants, and Plant Careers, where participants crafted their own living ecosystems while learning about the powerful role plants play in health, industry, and daily life. From rare botanical specimens to innovations like the pineberry and Scarlet Sunrise tomato, the session highlighted the diverse and evolving field of plant science.

The day concluded with a visit to the Rutgers Center for Ocean Observing Leadership (RU COOL), where teens explored how ocean data is collected and analyzed in real time. Surrounded by cutting-edge technology, they gained insight into how interdisciplinary research is shaping our understanding of climate, weather, and coastal systems.

More than just a day of activities, SEBS’ “Bring Your Child to Work Day” continues to grow as a meaningful tradition that celebrates family, fosters community and opens doors to possibility for youth through discovery of the school’s world-class programs.

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Students and instructors in the Spring 2026 “Food Production and Management” class pose for a group picture on Recipe Day, where the students created meals for the EFNEP website and beyond. Photo: OPOC

On March 11, the teaching kitchen of the Department of Nutritional Sciences at Rutgers University–New Brunswick was filled with the aromas of simmering soups, roasted spices and baked desserts as students put their coursework into action during Recipe Day—a hands-on capstone experience with impact far beyond the classroom.

The event featured 24 student-developed recipes spanning entrées, snacks, soups and desserts, each designed with a clear purpose: to serve low- and under-resourced communities through the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP).

Salome Papaspyrou Rao, assistant teaching professor in the Department of Nutritional Sciences, overseeing the workstations in the Teaching Kitchen during the Spring 2026 Recipe Day.

“This is not just about creating recipes,” said Melissa Keresztes, teaching kitchen coordinator and lecturer. “It’s about developing a greater quantity and diversity of recipes using ingredients that are easy to find and that are affordable.”

Recipe Day is a signature component of the course, Food Production and Management, taught by Salome Papaspyrou Rao, assistant teaching professor in the Department of Nutritional Sciences. The course is designed to align with real-world food systems and community needs while advancing Rutgers’ commitment to experiential learning.

Students in the course develop competencies across a wide range of areas, including food procurement, production and distribution systems; kitchen design and large-scale food preparation; menu planning for diverse populations; and food service management, leadership and operations. The curriculum also emphasizes sustainability and cultural competence—key elements reflected in the recipes students create.

The initiative is further supported by Joshua Miller, chair of the Department of Nutritional Sciences, whose investment in ingredients and program resources enables students to fully engage in the teaching kitchen environment while integrating advanced tools for recipe development.

Recipe Day represents the culmination of a unique collaboration between the Department of Nutritional Sciences and EFNEP under Rutgers Cooperative Extension (RCE)—a partnership intentionally designed to align with student success goals in Rutgers’ Academic Master Plan, said Marisol Ortiz, EFNEP state coordinator/assistant director, supervisor. The collaboration began with a simple but powerful realization: students and EFNEP staff were already doing similar work—developing and testing recipes—just separately.

L-R: Salome Papaspyrou Rao, Department of Nutritional Sciences; Marisol Ortiz, EFNEP; Melissa Keresztes, Teaching Kitchen; and Stacy Onofrietti, EFNEP. Photo: OPOC

“That prompted me to reflect on the proximity and overlap between EFNEP and the Department of Nutritional Sciences,” Ortiz said. “We saw an opportunity to bring those efforts together in a way that benefits both students and the communities we serve.”

By integrating EFNEP into the classroom, students gain hands-on, service-learning experience while contributing to a growing national library of culturally relevant, nutritious and cost-effective recipes.

EFNEP representatives Ortiz and Stacy Onofrietti, EFNEP program associate and supervisor, visit the class to introduce their programming and outline opportunities for student involvement in recipe development. According to Ortiz, they also provide specific criteria for recipe creation tailored to the communities they serve, including an emphasis on cultural diversity, affordability, and the use of readily available ingredients

“For their initial assignment, students are encouraged to explore original recipes, often drawing inspiration from personal or family traditions that are meaningful to them,” Ortiz said.

Students also learn that “in addition to the recipes being incorporated into EFNEP classes and showcased on our website, one recipe is selected for inclusion in an EFNEP recipe book developed in North Carolina,” she added.

Precision Meets Creativity in the Kitchen

Students are tasked with creating recipes that meet strict EFNEP guidelines, including limits on sodium and fat, a maximum of 10 ingredients and the use of accessible, low-cost foods commonly found in grocery stores or home food pantries.

Student Jacquelin Genty cooks an entrée of unstuffed cabbage with rice. Photo: OPOC

To meet these standards, students use nutrient analysis software to generate USDA-compliant nutrition labels and refine their recipes accordingly.

For student Mia Harris, that meant reworking a sweet potato spice granola recipe—adding ingredients like honey and pecans while ensuring it still met program requirements.

The process is both technical and creative, requiring students to balance flavor, nutrition and affordability. Many students drew inspiration from their own cultural backgrounds, resulting in a menu that reflects the diversity of the communities EFNEP serves.

Jacquelin Genty, who transferred to Rutgers in 2024, is creating two items. One snack, specifically a crispy, roasted chickpea, and an entrée of unstuffed cabbage with rice.

Jennifer Reyes reimagined a Dominican-inspired plantain lasagna, adapted from pastelón, a family favorite.

Raoul Bernal, SAS’27, preparing chicken tinola, a traditional Filipino soup.

Raoul Bernal, SAS’27, prepared chicken tinola, a traditional Filipino comfort soup. For him, the recipe as well as the experience are personal. “It’s a huge comfort food my mother used to make when we were sick,” he said, describing the familiar flavors of ginger, chicken and chayote.

The Simple Plate Initiative as a National Resource

Recipes developed during the course undergo rigorous testing, including step-by-step documentation, yield calculations and sensory evaluations. Once finalized, they are reviewed by EFNEP staff and selected for use in community programming and online publication.

Over time, these student-created recipes have extended their reach well beyond New Jersey—some even appearing in EFNEP materials used in other states.

“This collaborative work beautifully illustrates how Cooperative Extension and academic instruction can work synergistically to meet community needs while enriching students’ experience,” said Brian Schilling, RCE director.

Now entering its third year, the program is officially named the Simple Plate Initiative and continues to expand under the leadership of EFNEP’s Onofrietti. “Students are encouraged to create unique, culturally diverse recipes using ingredients commonly found in local food pantries, helping to inclusively represent the populations we serve,” she said.

“This initiative connects academic learning with real-world impact,” Ortiz added. “Students are not just completing assignments—they are creating resources that directly benefit families across the country.”

Beyond technical skills, students leave the course with something more enduring: a sense of purpose and pride.

With their names attached to published recipes and a tangible contribution to community health, students build professional portfolios while seeing firsthand how their work can make a difference, stressed Keresztes, as she moved between stations of students gathered around the Ferrari red kitchen ranges and ovens of the Nutritional Sciences Teaching Kitchen.

And among the aromas and sounds in the bustling kitchen, it’s easy to see that Recipe Day is indeed more than a class exercise. It’s where education, culture and community come together.

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Adélie penguins in Antarctica. Photo credits Oscar Schofield

Penguins waddling across Antarctic ice might seem far removed from a classroom in New Jersey, but a new study shows that these charismatic birds can be a powerful hook for teaching young people about climate change — and inspiring them to see themselves as future scientists.

The study was led by researchers at Rutgers University, including affiliates of the Rutgers Climate and Energy Institute Janice McDonnell, Associate Dean of Research Impact at the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, and Oscar Schofield, Distinguished Professor in the Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences. In addition, the lead author, Marissa Staffen, and co-author Matthew Newman are both county agents from the Department of 4-H Youth Development at Rutgers.

Published in the Journal of Geoscience Education, the study evaluates a program called Data to the Rescue: Penguins Need Our Help! — an eight-session after-school club designed for middle schoolers in grades 5 to 8. The program invites students to join a virtual research team studying real penguin population data from Antarctica, collected by the National Science Foundation’s Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) program at Palmer Station.

Students work with actual scientific data using an online tool called CODAP to graph and analyze how Adélie, Gentoo, and Chinstrap penguin populations have changed over time — and why. The program ends with a creative “Data Jam,” where students turn their findings into poems, art, videos, or other projects to share with their communities.

The program directly connects climate change in the polar regions — where warming is happening much faster than the global average — to real consequences like sea ice loss and shrinking penguin populations. It also draws lines from those distant changes to local impacts like sea level rise and extreme weather, helping students understand that what happens in Antarctica doesn’t stay in Antarctica.

“This program shows that when you give young people real scientific data and a compelling story — in this case, penguins — they don’t just learn facts, they start to see themselves as part of the solution. Building that sense of identity and agency in students, especially for young people that don’t see themselves represented in STEM, is one of the most important things we can do for both STEM education and climate action,” said Staffen.

Students in the Data to the Rescue program explore real penguin population data collected at Palmer Station, Antarctica, connecting distant ecosystems to local climate change impacts. Photo credit Matthew Newman

Over three years and across 46 program sites in the U.S., 1,571 youth took part. The study found that after completing the program, students showed a statistically significant increase in ‘science identity’ — meaning students felt more like they belonged in science. This was especially meaningful given that the program intentionally reached out to groups underrepresented in STEM, including girls, Black and Hispanic youth, and students from low-income communities.

Students who started with little knowledge of polar science showed the biggest gains in learning. Many who began by answering “I don’t know” to questions about the Arctic and Antarctic finished the program with real, substantive answers.

Interestingly, overall fascination with science dipped slightly by the end of the program — but the authors suggest this may reflect a more realistic understanding of what science actually involves, including the hard work and challenges, rather than a loss of interest. Students with lower initial fascination actually showed gains.

The implications of this research go beyond penguins. The program offers a replicable, low-cost model for informal science education that can be run in after-school clubs, community centers, summer camps, libraries, or 4-H programs — and all materials are available for free in both English and Spanish. The authors argue that building climate literacy and data skills in young people, particularly those from underserved communities, is essential for developing an informed public and a diverse STEM workforce capable of tackling global challenges like climate change. Explore Data to the Rescue resources and read the full study here.

This article was written with assistance from Artificial Intelligence, was reviewed and edited by Oliver Stringham, and was reviewed by Marissa Staffen, Janice McDonnell, Matthew Newman, and Oscar Schofield, co-authors on the study.

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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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Participants in the 35th Annual Rutgers Turfgrass Symposium included research associate Stephanie Rossi; graduate student Mark Labarge; invited speaker Susana Milla-Lewis, professor of turfgrass breeding and genetics at North Carolina State University; and Distinguished Professor Bingru Huang, who also served as moderator of one of the sessions. Photo credit: Shaun Barry

The Rutgers Center for Turfgrass Science hosted its 35th Annual Turfgrass Symposium on March 19, bringing together faculty, staff, students, researchers and industry leaders for a day of collaboration, innovation and knowledge exchange.

Held at Rutgers University–New Brunswick, the symposium highlighted the breadth of turfgrass research underway across the university while reinforcing Rutgers’ leadership in advancing sustainable turf systems.

Rutgers post-doc associate Juan Gonzalez, keynote speaker Eric Watkins, and Stacy Bonos, associate director of the center and a moderator of one of the sessions. Photo credit: Shaun Barry

Josh Kohut, dean and director of research at the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences and the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, welcomed attendees and underscored the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing emerging environmental and industry challenges.

The keynote address was delivered by Rutgers alumnus Eric Watkins, professor in the Department of Horticulture and Vice Provost for Distributed Learning at the University of Minnesota. His presentation, “Investigating New Strategies for Turfgrass Survival in a Changing Winter Climate,” explored how innovative tools are being used to better understand and mitigate the unpredictable effects of winter stress on turfgrass systems.

According to James Murphy, director of the Center for Turfgrass Science, the symposium also featured a distinguished group of invited speakers. Susana Milla-Lewis of North Carolina State University presented insights from 14 years of collaborative warm-season turfgrass breeding. Lisa Bern of Syngenta reflected on 25 years of innovation in plant protection, while James Brosnan of the University of Tennessee addressed evolving strategies for managing Poa annua, a persistent challenge in turfgrass systems.

The symposium also showcased research from Rutgers faculty, postdoctoral associates and graduate students. Stephanie Rossi discussed early detection of heat and drought in creeping bentgrass. Mark Labarge presented results from his research on bermudagrass and zoysiagrass fairway turf. Juan Gonzalez presented his research on high-volume turfgrass monitoring using drones. Ryan Earp described his experience at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort during the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship. Leandro Lopes da Silva discussed his research on SDHI fungicide resistance in Clarireedia jacksonii (the dollar spot pathogen). Matthew Brown presented research on the interactions among entomopathogenic nematodes, fungicides, silicon and plant hosts. Katie Diehl Tuck described the effects of plant growth regulators on goosegrass and cool season turfgrass.

Invited speaker James Brosnan, professor in the Plant Sciences Department at the University of Tennessee; Matt Brown, post-doc associate, Department of Entomology; Matt Elmore, associate extension specialist, Department of Plant Biology, who served as moderator at one of the sessions, and Katie Diehl Tuck, Department of Plant Biology. Photo credit: Shaun Barry

Graduate student excellence was a central highlight of the event. Three students were recognized for award-winning presentations at the Crop Science Society of America Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City. Ryan Earp earned first place in the Turfgrass Breeding, Genomics, Physiology and Molecular Biology poster session, while Devan Gladden received second place in Turfgrass Water Conservation, and Emmanuel Nwachukwu placed third in Golf Turf Management and Remote Sensing.

Earp was also recognized as the fourth recipient of the Sean S. Pattwell Graduate Student Internship, an experiential learning opportunity established through the generosity of Sean Pattwell in 2022. The program supports graduate training through immersive industry experiences; Earp recently completed a three-week internship at the renowned Bandon Dunes Golf Resort.

The success of the symposium was made possible through the efforts of the planning committee, chaired by Bingru Huang and including Jim Murphy, Stacy Bonos, Ning Zhang and Ming-Yi Chou. Barbara Fitzgerald and Kelly Esposito served as co-editors of the symposium proceedings. Technical support for livestreaming and event production was provided by Bernard Ward, Phil Wisneski and Brad Park.

“The center is grateful for the wonderful partnership with the turfgrass industry in New Jersey and beyond, which enables us to delve into these exciting topics in turfgrass science,” Murphy said.

As the symposium marks its 35th year, it continues to serve as a vital platform for advancing research, fostering collaboration and preparing the next generation of turfgrass scientists—further strengthening Rutgers’ impact on agriculture, environmental sustainability and the green industry.

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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, Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, and first appeared in Rutgers Today. 

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Brian Shilling, director Rutgers Cooperative Extension (RCE), addresses participants in the 2026 RCE Annual Conference. Photo: OPOC

The 2026 Rutgers Cooperative Extension (RCE) Annual Conference convened on January 15 at the Busch Student Center, bringing together faculty, staff, and stakeholders from across New Jersey. The annual gathering provided a shared space for networking, professional development, research collaboration, and the exchange of best practices in delivering research-based educational programming with service excellence.

The conference opened with welcoming remarks from Rhonda Breen-Simone, RCE Department Administrator, and Kathleen Howell, Associate Director of Administration. Their greetings set the tone for a day focused on impact, innovation and collaboration across the Extension community.

Addressing conference attendees, RCE Director Brian Schilling reflected on a year defined not by obstacles, but by progress.

2026 RCE Annual Conference attendees. Photo: OPOC

Despite the challenges of 2025, Schilling emphasized that Rutgers Cooperative Extension has much to be proud of. He pointed to growing partnerships, increased visibility across the university, and expanding recognition of RCE’s essential role in research translation and community engagement. He highlighted exciting new technologies and discoveries emerging from Rutgers’ agricultural programs—from drone initiatives developed in partnership with community colleges to artificial intelligence collaborations with Rowan University and Rutgers’ School of Engineering. Advances in breeding programs and production techniques, he noted, are strengthening both innovation and farm viability across the state.

Schilling underscored the importance of demonstrating measurable impact, describing new investments in measuring impact and strategic engagement with university leadership. He also stressed that strengthening internal partnerships and increasing student engagement remain central priorities. Above all, he reaffirmed RCE’s mission of expanding its expertise, resources and presence in communities across New Jersey, ensuring that Rutgers research continues to make a visible and meaningful difference statewide.

Hanh La, Senior Program Administrator, and Janice McDonnell, SEBS/NJAES Associate Dean of Research Impact, delivered a featured presentation on Impact, highlighting measurable outcomes across RCE programming and underscoring the importance of data-driven storytelling in demonstrating Extension’s value to communities statewide.

The morning breakout sessions offered attendees a range of practical and forward-looking topics while midday programming featured a dynamic Customer Service overview presented by John Eric Jacobsen, coach and president of Jacobsen Business Seminars, Inc., who emphasized communication, professionalism and relationship-building as cornerstones of Extension’s public-facing mission.

2026 RCE Annual Conference attendees participate in the poster sessions. Photo: OPOC

Following lunch, Laura Lawson, Executive Director of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station and Executive Dean of the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, delivered the Executive Leadership Address. She reflected on the strategic priorities of RCE, reaffirming its leadership in advancing science-based solutions, strengthening partnerships, and expanding statewide impact. She emphasized that RCE remains central to the land-grant mission of Rutgers University, serving as a critical connector that brings research and educational expertise into communities across New Jersey.

The afternoon workshops continued the day’s focus on applied learning and collaboration followed by the annual RCE Awards Ceremony, which recognized excellence across faculty, staff, volunteers and collaborative teams. The awardees are:

• Wilbur V. Runk Graduate Student Excellence Award – Jin-Jia Yu, a Ph.D. candidate in Entomology
• Excellence Award – Administrative/Support Staff – Cynthia Triolo, Office Administrator for Morris County
• Excellence Award – Paraprofessional – Kristine Rappaport, Somerset County 4-H Program Coordinator
• Excellence Award – Programmatic Staff – Sabrina Subhit, Senior Program Coordinator, Family and Community Health Sciences 
• Excellence Award in Volunteerism – Eileen McEnroe, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Essex County
• Faculty of the Year Award – Marissa Staffen, 4-H Agent and County Extension Department Head in Essex County,
• Mary Jane Willis Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award – Food is Medicine for South Asians (FIMSA) Team led by Nurgül Fitzgerald (PI), Associate Professor of Nutritional Sciences & Extension Specialist, and Soko Setoguchi (co-PI), Director, Rutgers Health-RWJBarnabas Health Center for Climate, Health, and Healthcare
• Merle V. Adams Award – James Shope, Assistant Extension Specialist in Climate Service
• Best of the Best Award – Rutgers Nursery and Green Industry Working Group: Agricultural Agents Timothy Waller (Cumberland); William Errickson (Monmouth); Jean Epiphan (Morris); Hemant Gohil (Gloucester); Salvatore Mangiafico (Salem); Steve Rettke (Monmouth); Extension Specialist Raul Cabrera, RAREC; Richard Buckley and Sabrina Tirpak of the Plant Diagnostic Lab; Stephanie Murphy of the Soil Testing Lab; and Erin Quinn, Intern and Ph.D. candidate in Plant Biology and Human Health

The closing sessions highlighted innovative, community-centered programming and brought the day’s focus on collaboration and impact full circle. From welcome remarks to final presentations, the 2026 RCE Annual Conference reflected a unified commitment to research-based education, inclusive engagement and measurable impact across New Jersey communities.

View a photo gallery of the 2026 RCE Annual Conference.

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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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