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.

 

Researchers are examining the relationship between childhood obesity and future success. Sergio Arjona, Shutterstock

Childhood obesity may be quietly undermining one of the central promises of American life.

 A study by a Rutgers researcher has found that children who are obese are far less likely to climb the economic ladder as adults, raising concerns that a rising health problem also could deny many young Americans the chance to achieve the American dream.

“Childhood obesity isn’t just a health crisis,” said Yanhong Jin, a professor with the Department of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics at the Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences and a coauthor of the study. “It is an economic mobility crisis.”

The research, published in the Journal of Population Economics, examined how childhood obesity affects intergenerational mobility, which measures whether children grow up to earn more than their parents.

The study draws on data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, often called Add Health, a nationwide project that has followed thousands of Americans from adolescence into adulthood for more than two decades. The study is composed of a nationally representative sample of more than 20,000 adolescents who were in grades 7 through 12 during the 1994-1995 school year, and have been followed for six waves of data collection to date, with the  most recent wave from 2022 to 2025. The dataset includes information about participants’ health, education, income and genetic markers linked to body weight.

Professor Yanhong Jin, an agricultural and health economist, is exploring whether children today have the same opportunities their parents had at the same age.

Jin conducted the study with economists Maoyong Fan of Ball State University and Man Zhang of Renmin University in China.

Using the Add Health data allowed researchers to explore the question in a new way. The study includes genetic information that helped the team separate the effect of obesity itself from other factors such as family income or neighborhood conditions.

The results were striking. Adults who were obese as children ended up much lower on the national income ladder than those who had a normal weight as children. A child is considered obese if his or her Body Mass Index is at or above the 95th percentile for children of the same age and sex, based on standardized growth charts.

“If children are obese compared with normal weight children, assuming everything else is the same, their income ranking is about 20 percentile points lower relative to their parents,” Jin said.

The researchers then examined why that economic gap appears to emerge over time.

“The evidence points to lower educational attainment, persistent health problems and disadvantages within the labor market,” said Fan, a coauthor of the study. “These include higher reported job discrimination and adverse occupational sorting.”

For Jin, an agricultural and health economist, the topic carries personal meaning. As a first-generation immigrant from China, she said she has long been interested in the idea that each generation should have a chance to do better than the one before.

Her interest in intergenerational mobility deepened as she began thinking about the American dream and whether children today still have the same chances their parents had.

“We wanted to explore the link between childhood conditions and intergenerational mobility to see what we can do,” she said.

The researchers also found that people who were obese as children were less likely to live in neighborhoods with strong economic opportunities later in life. They were less likely to live in areas with higher average incomes and less likely to live in communities with low poverty rates.

Most previous research on economic mobility has focused on neighborhood conditions and family background. Jin said her team wanted to explore another factor that had received less attention.

Studies that focused on the long-term impacts of obesity were more likely to examine its relationship with social stigma and educational attainment.

“But few have considered its relationship to intergenerational mobility,” Jin said.

The effects weren’t the same for everyone. The study found that the economic penalty linked to childhood obesity was larger for girls than for boys. It also was stronger among children from low-income families and among those who grew up in the South and Midwest.

Jin said the findings highlight the importance of preventing obesity early in life. Many policies focus on treating obesity after it develops, but the research suggests that prevention in childhood before it develops could have long-term benefits for both health and economic opportunity.

“If you are obese in childhood, for whatever the reason, you have a penalty in your adult economic status,” Jin said.

For policymakers, the study offers a broader way to think about the issue, the researchers said. Childhood obesity has often been viewed mainly as a medical concern. The research suggests that, if left unaddressed, childhood obesity may also shape economic opportunity and social mobility for decades to come.

“Interventions that reduce childhood obesity can deliver benefits well beyond lowering medical spending,” said coauthor Zhang. “They can support higher educational attainment, improve job prospects and increase upward economic mobility for the next generation.”

This article first appeared in Rutgers Today.

 

Carl Pray, Distinguished Professor in the Department of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics, retired from Rutgers on January 1, 2026.

Effective January 1, Carl Pray, Distinguished Professor in the Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics, retired from Rutgers University, concluding a remarkable 40-year career defined by scholarship, global engagement and service for the greater good.

A member of the faculty since 1986, Pray made pathbreaking contributions to agricultural science and technology policy, with research spanning Asia, Africa and Latin America. Trained as an economic historian, he earned his doctoral degree from the University of Pennsylvania and brought a global development lens to the study of innovation in agriculture. Over four decades, he authored more than 100 articles in leading journals, including Science, Nature, American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, Economic Development and Cultural Change and Research Policy, shaping international dialogue on biotechnology, productivity and food systems transformation.

Beyond his prolific research, Pray has been a global thought leader and institution builder. He served for 14 years as president of the International Consortium for Applied Bioeconomy Research (ICABR) and continues to serve on its board. Through ICABR and numerous international collaborations, he helped build research capacity, informed policy debates and empowered scholars and policymakers across the Global South to harness science and technology in the fight against poverty and food insecurity.

His influence extends well beyond publications and policy. Generations of students and colleagues describe him as a generous mentor and steady leader whose work consistently advanced both rigorous scholarship and real-world impact.

In recognition of his extraordinary career, scholars, colleagues and friends gathered at the 2025 annual meeting of the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association in Denver to establish the Dr. Carl Pray Appreciation Club. The organization will celebrate Pray’s legacy, promote continued scholarship in agricultural science and technology policy, and support the next generation of international researchers.

As one charter member reflected, “Carl has not only shaped the field, he has shaped people—his generosity, humility and quiet leadership are as impactful as his academic work.”

With his retirement, Rutgers honors a distinguished career dedicated to advancing knowledge, strengthening institutions and improving lives around the world through agricultural innovation.

 

Rutgers alumnus Brian Sheafer CC’02

When Brian Sheafer earned his bachelor’s degree in business economics from Rutgers Cook College in 2002, he set out on a path that combined analytical thinking with a strong commitment to service. That focus has shaped a career dedicated to strengthening communities through the YMCA for more than two decades.

The Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges recently announced Sheafer’s promotion to Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, effective January 1, 2027. In this role, he helps to guide operations and long-term strategy for the nonprofit, which serves families and communities across Bergen, Essex, and Sussex counties.

Sheafer joined the Metro YMCA of the Oranges in 2016 and has since played a key role in the organization’s growth and impact. He established and chaired Metro Y’s first Safety & Risk Committee. His leadership has helped embed safety as a core organizational priority, expand access to mental health services, and modernize YMCA facilities throughout the region. In addition, he launched Metro Y’s first Mental Health Department in response to growing community need for behavioral health support.

Brian Sheafer with YMCA mascot Dill P. Gherkin at the grand opening of the Sussex County YMCA Pickleball Center, marking the expansion of healthy living amenities for the community.

Under Sheafer’s guidance, the Metro YMCA of the Oranges earned Praesidium Accreditation, the gold standard in child abuse prevention and youth safety practices. Held by only a select group of organizations, the accreditation serves as a benchmark for youth-serving organizations across New Jersey.

His work has also supported more than $53 million in capital projects and helped lay the groundwork for a new, state-of-the-art West Essex YMCA, scheduled to open in late 2026.

Sheafer’s YMCA journey began just one year after graduating from Rutgers. In 2003, he started his career at the Summit Area YMCA and the YMCA of Rahway in New Jersey, building a foundation in youth development, wellness, and community programming. He went on to hold leadership roles across the YMCA network, including serving as Vice President of Youth Development at the YMCA of South Florida and Assistant Vice President at The Learning Experience World Headquarters in Boca Raton, Florida, before returning to New Jersey to join the Metro Y.

Sheafer shared about his undergraduate experience at then Cook College, now the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences.

Why Rutgers?
I had my mind set on attending Rutgers University from a very young age. I still remember being in elementary school and attending an event where the football coach spoke. I can’t point to exactly what he said, but I remember it made me feel excited, curious, and convinced that Rutgers was where I wanted to be. That early spark stayed with me, and years later, walking onto campus felt like the start of something I had been working toward for a long time.

How has your college experience shaped your career?
One of the most meaningful experiences I had was a business and marketing internship with the New Jersey Devils when they were based at the Meadowlands. That experience gave me my first real look at professionalism and accountability in action. I learned what it means to show up prepared, take ownership of your work, and understand how individual effort contributes to a much bigger mission.

Can you recall a favorite Cook memory or a particularly impactful class at Cook?

What I appreciated most about Rutgers was how hands-on the learning was. Whether I was working on the farm, in a science lab, or applying concepts in real-world settings, those experiences made learning feel real and lasting. Environmental Design Analysis, in particular, gave me a deep appreciation for the environment and sustainability. Today, I carry those lessons with me as I help design YMCA community centers and resident camps — spaces meant to serve people while respecting the world around them.

How has Rutgers shaped you as an individual and your career?
Looking back, Rutgers taught me that leadership isn’t about authority, it’s about responsibility. Balancing academics, work, and involvement forced me to develop discipline and time management, but it also taught me the importance of people. I learned that organizations succeed when people feel seen, supported, and valued. Rutgers exposed me to different perspectives and real-world challenges, and it prepared me not just for a career, but for a life centered on service, community, and impact.

For Rutgers alumni, Sheafer’s story is a reminder of how a Rutgers education can serve as a foundation for purpose-driven leadership. As he steps into his new role, he continues to exemplify the values of service, collaboration, and impact that connect Rutgers graduates to communities across New Jersey and beyond.

 

Rutgers President William F. Tate IV addresses the Middlesex County Business Summit 2025. President Tate stressed the importance of University-Business collaboration to make New Jersey a to biomedical hub.

The Middlesex Business Summit 2025 attracted hundreds of New Jersey’s visionary business leaders, entrepreneurs, advisors and government officials on October 9, 2025, at the Heldrich Hotel and Conference Center in New Brunswick. Themed “Thriving Through Change: Business, Innovation, and the Future of Work,” the business conference featured presentations on the groundbreaking efforts underway to develop products, services and jobs that support communities across the region.

The summit’s keynote address was delivered by William F. Tate, IV, President of Rutgers University, who highlighted the critical role education plays in building and maintaining strong communities — and in building and maintaining a top biomedical hub.

James Oehmke, Director of Economic Development, SEBS/NJAES; Michael Zwick, Senior Vice President for Research, Rutgers University; and Sho Islam, Director of Business Engagement, Middlesex County.

Reflecting on his early experiences as a mathematics teacher in public schools in Dallas, TX, Tate shared the concept of the “cycle of opportunity,” which describes the vital need for a positive, supportive relationship between the community and education. He then connected this concept with Rutgers’ biomedical ecosystem, explaining that the university’s job is to “benchmark the very best practices so they can be applied in an open industry,” to help make [New Jersey and the surrounding] region the top biomedical ecosystem in the country.

Firsthand insights from a distinguished lineup of presenters blazing trails in their respective fields were presented in four engaging panel discussions during the day-long conference.

James Oehmke, chair of the Rutgers Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics (DAFRE) and faculty director of the Office of Economic Development at SEBS, attended the conference. Reflecting on the key mission of advancing industry and education, Oehmke noted that “the conference brought together many of the key university, private-sector, and government players and provided both plenty of food for thought and amazing networking opportunities.”

 A DAFRE alumnus, Sho Islam directs the Office of Business Engagement for Middlesex County. He brings 20 years of experience to his role in entrepreneurship and business development, which began in 2005 at the Rutgers Food Innovation Center—a unique food business incubator and accelerator that supports established early-stage entrepreneurs and existing food companies from concept to commercialization.

L-R: Summit panelists Ariane Vasilatis, co-founder and CEO of Zena Therapeutics; John Huang, founder and CEO of TheWell Bioscience, Inc.; John McGuckin, CEO of CLIO Snacks; and Sho Islam, director of the Office of Business Engagement, Middlesex County.

Islam served as the moderator of the panel, “Entrepreneurial Success, Navigating in Today’s Environment,” which featured three presenters, including Ariane Vasilatis, co-founder & CEO of Zena Therapeutics—a Rutgers startup that strives to create narcotic medications that will minimize or even eliminate overdoses from prescription drugs.

The three panelists, all founders and CEOs drawn from the consumer goods, biosciences and therapeutics industries, shared their motivations and strategies as well as key lessons learned on their respective journeys to becoming successful entrepreneurs.

“You need to have the passion, because it gets really hairy. Budgets get tight and you must have cash on-hand. But you have to be steadfast and have the passion to keep going, because you will face naysayers and challenges. And remember: Imposter syndrome is real. You’ll question yourself and if you have the credentials… but believe in yourself,” said Vasilatis, who graduated from Rutgers in 2021.

The panelists also emphasized the importance of understanding customer needs, maintaining agility, and sharing a common vision, as well as the importance of location for their businesses. 

 

Rutgers supporter and Scarlet Knight super fan Steve Jankoski CC’77 and his dogs, Vida, left, and Oriole in the basement of his New Hampshire home.

Steve Jankoski will never forget the extremely hot 1977 commencement ceremony in New Brunswick when he and his brother, Frank, were the first in their family to receive college degrees.

“I thought ‘Wow! I made it! I graduated from Rutgers University,’” says Jankoski, who studied agricultural economics at Cook College, while Frank studied chemical engineering and business. “It meant so much, not just to me, but to my family. The Jankoski boys both graduated from Rutgers that day and it was an immensely proud moment.”

Jankoski’s love for the university continues almost 50 years since his graduation and is expressed through his philanthropic support of Rutgers Athletics and his enthusiastic fanhood, which includes a vibrant collection of all things Rutgers.

“When I am gone, I hope the university will continue to support students with financial aid so they can succeed as we have,” says Jankoski, who retired six years ago after a career in education and in food sales. Frank owns an environmental company in New Jersey and gives to Rutgers.

“My brother and I lived the American dream,” Jankoski says. “We came from a humble background and were able to receive a college education and become successful because of scholarships and the generosity of others.”

Jankoski grew up in Linden, New Jersey, and attended Roselle Catholic High School. He says he wanted to go to college but could not afford it. When Rutgers offered him financial aid and a scholarship to study agricultural economics, he jumped at the opportunity.

Steve Jankoski’s 1977 Rutgers I.D.

“I got a free ride to Rutgers, and for that I am grateful,” he says. “After graduation, I always felt the responsibility to donate to Rutgers, and now that I have the means, I have funded an endowed scholarship and have included Rutgers in my will.”

As a student, he appreciated the diversity at Rutgers and his exposure to new things. “I went to a 100 percent male and predominantly white high school. When I went to Rutgers, I lived in a coed dorm and met people from different backgrounds. Rutgers exposed me to culture, including musical concerts and plays.”

Jankoski remembers Cook College professors as approachable and available. “The professors really cared about us, and they stressed being a good person, being a good citizen, being a good caretaker of the world . . . and it resonated with me and extended into my work in terms of being approachable, nonjudgmental, and thinking the best of people.”

Jankoski’s support for Rutgers today includes an endowed scholarship for football players. He also recently increased his commitment in his will, sharing that one day he hopes his cumulative giving to Rutgers will reach a million dollars.

“That’s been consistent, I just want to give back,” he says. “That is who I am as a person. I was fortunate to go to the university, try to make something of myself, and now I want to lead by example and give back to the university.”

Jankoski hopes this story “opens other people’s eyes who might feel the same way that I do. I support Rutgers University—that is really what I am all about.”

Jankoski supports every Rutgers team, particularly his beloved Scarlet Knights football team and the Rutgers women’s soccer team. From about 1994-2008, he was an active member of the Rutgers Touchdown Club, serving as club treasurer and secretary and has been a season ticket holder for 30 years.

His “Rutgers shrine” in his home displays a plethora of Rutgers collectibles, including a 3-foot-high Scarlet Knight and a Rutgers clock. “I took over the entire basement,” he says. 

He owns more than 50 Rutgers shirts, as well as Rutgers sweatshirts, pajamas, and flipflops and even wears his favorite Rutgers wide-brimmed hat when he goes trout fishing on the lake behind his house. His wife repurposes his old Rutgers clothing into decorative pillows. 

Jankoski repurposed his old New Jersey Rutgers license plates into a birdhouse.

His two retired Seeing Eye dogs, Vida, a golden retriever, and Oriole, a yellow labrador, sport Rutgers shirts for a big game and sleep in Rutgers dog beds. Jankoski and his wife Connie trained dogs for The Seeing Eye in Morristown for many years before moving to New Hampshire.

The birds near his home have even become Rutgers fans. Since Jankoski can no longer use his Rutgers New Jersey license plates in New Hampshire, he recycled them, building a backyard bird house.

A New Jersey native, he retired six years ago to New London, New Hampshire, where he renovated and converted his summer home into his retirement home. 

Looking back, he credits Rutgers for creating his career opportunities. He worked as a sales representative and manager for the General Foods Corporation until he was 39, when he was injured in a serious car accident and was unable to continue in sales. 

“Once again, I went back to Rutgers,” he says.

After earning his teaching certificate at Rutgers, he became a special education teacher at Bridgewater-Raritan High School, where he considered himself the top Rutgers fan. 

Not long after graduating from Rutgers, Jankoski met his wife Connie Andres, a Notre Dame graduate who worked as a chemist, on a blind date at a bowling alley. “I drove her home from the bowling alley, asked her out on a date for Saturday and the rest is history. We have been together 43 years.”

They have a daughter, Vickie, who now lives in Cleveland, Ohio, with her husband Kipp Mayne and son Corbin. As a Rutgers fan, Jankoski is outnumbered because his wife, daughter, and son-in-law all went to Notre Dame. He relished the Rutgers win over Notre Dame in basketball last November.

He looks back with happiness on Rutgers games with Vickie. “I have the fondest memories of taking my daughter to the games,” he says.

On Sept. 19, he plans to return to New Jersey to attend the Rutgers football game against Iowa and then enjoy his 70th birthday party at his favorite restaurant. The visit will give him the chance to warmheartedly recall past glories, including the football team’s 1976 undefeated season and their win against Colgate, the same year that the Rutgers basketball team made it to the NCAA Men’s Final Four. 

“I have all of these fond memories of sitting in the bleachers and supporting Rutgers as a student,” he says.

This article first appeared on the Rutgers University Foundation website.

 

Carl Pray, Distinguished Professor in the Department of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics.

At the 2025 Annual Meeting of the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association (AAEA), scholars, colleagues and friends came together to celebrate the establishment of the Dr. Carl Pray Appreciation Club in recognition of the outstanding scholarly contributions, mentorship and international leadership of Carl Pray, Distinguished Professor in the Department of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics (DAFRE) at Rutgers. His colleague, Yanhong Jin, professor in DAFRE, accepted this recognition on behalf of Pray during the annual conference held from July 27-29 in Denver, CO.

DAFRE faculty SeoWoo Lee, James Oehmke and Yanhong Jin at the AAEA Annual Meeting.

A faculty member at Rutgers since 1986, Pray has made pathbreaking contributions to the study of agricultural science and technology policy, with a global focus on Asia, Africa and Latin America. He earned his doctoral degree in Economic History from the University of Pennsylvania and has published more than 100 articles in leading journals, such as Science, Nature, American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, Economic Development and Cultural Change and Research Policy.  

Beyond his prolific research in an almost 40-year career at Rutgers, Pray has been a global thought leader and institution builder. He served as President of the International Consortium for Applied Bioeconomy Research (ICABR) for 14 years and continues to serve on its board. His collaborative work across continents has shaped agricultural innovation policy and empowered generations of researchers and policymakers in the Global South. 

The club will serve as a platform to celebrate Pray’s legacy, promote continued scholarship in agricultural science and technology policy, and encourage the next generation of international researchers.

In the words of one charter member, “Carl has not only shaped the field, he has shaped people—his generosity, humility, and quiet leadership are as impactful as his academic work.” 

Several DAFRE faculty members were actively engaged in the 2025 AAEA Annual Meeting, including James Oehmke, department chair and professor, who participated in the Chair’s section, the Africa section, and the Agribusiness section as well as several other sessions.

DAFRE faculty at the 2025 AAEA Annual Meeting.

Yanhong Jin, professor, served as a panelist in a well-attended pre-conference workshop titled, “The New Economics of Food Security and Nutrition.” In addition, six of her coauthored papers were presented at the conference. 

Seowoo Lee attended the Extension Section Meeting and connected with extension professionals across the country as she prepares for her new role as an Extension Specialist in Farm Viability.

Sanjib Bhuyan, professor of agricultural economics and marketing, attended the pre-conference AAEA Teaching Academy workshop organized by the award-winning teaching faculty. This is a one-year academy and there will be follow-up tasks for all attendees. The focus of this year’s workshop was on teaching scholarship and the target audience was early-career faculty, however, there was lessons for all.

Faculty involvement reflects the department’s ongoing commitment to cutting-edge research and active engagement in professional communities. DAFRE is proud to celebrate the achievements of its faculty, students and distinguished alumni at AAEA and beyond.

DAFRE faculty and attendees at the 2025 AAEA Annual Meeting.

 

Rutgers EcoComplex in Bordentown, NJ.

The Rutgers EcoComplex “Clean Energy Innovation Center and Business Incubator” and Nuvvon Inc. jointly announce that the start-up innovator in the development of solid-state battery materials is graduating after seven years of successful growth at the Rutgers business incubator. Located in Bordentown, NJ, the Rutgers EcoComplex provides support to clean energy and environment-related start-ups, enabling innovators to become entrepreneurs, and is proud that another successful start-up is graduating from its business incubation facilities.

“The EcoComplex is again contributing to New Jersey’s clean technology innovation achievement targets. Nuvvon Inc., formerly known as Sidhu Labs, moved into our Incubator facility seven years ago,” said Serpil Guran, director of Rutgers EcoComplex. “We supported and witnessed this young start-up initiative to reach today’s levels. We wish them greater successes in their research and development of next-generation battery material science,” added Guran.

New facility in Parsippany, NJ. Courtesy of Nuvvon Inc.

Since 2018, Nuvvon Inc. has grown from a two-person research start-up to a size for scaled-up research and development and needed to relocate to a larger 6,000 sf. facility in Parsippany, NJ.

“Nuvvon would like to thank Rutgers for their abiding support and excellent facilities at the EcoComplex,” said Jonathan Lex, Chief Operating Officer of Nuvvon Inc. “Nuvvon is growing, and we need to employ more talent and require more equipment. We need a bigger space for us to grow further and that is why we are graduating and relocating from the EcoComplex,” added Lex.

Manveer Sidhu, President and Head of Innovation at Nuvvon Inc. also commended the Rutgers EcoComplex team with respect to their willingness to host greentech-based businesses. 

“Many Incubator facilities across New Jersey refused us occupancy because we were not a biotech or pharmaceutical-based enterprise. The Rutgers EcoComplex, as a “Clean Energy Innovation Center,” accepted Nuvvon, and we are extremely grateful to Director Serpil Guran and her staff for making this possible. Without the Rutgers EcoComplex, Nuvvon would not be in the position it is today,” said Sidhu.

Nuvvon Inc. pioneers next generation battery material science. More information can be found on its website. The Rutgers EcoComplex “Clean Energy Innovation Center & Business” Incubator is located in Bordentown, NJ, and is one of Rutgers University School of Environmental and Biological Science’s outlying research and outreach centers. Learn more about the EcoComplex on its website.

 

Ramu Govindasamy in 2017 inspecting production trial plots during a marketing training session for smallholder farmers in Zambia. Courtesy of Ramu Govindasamy.

By Ramu Govindasamy, professor and extension specialist in the Department of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics

Prof. Ramu Govindasamy.

The recent announcement of sweeping new tariffs by the United States government has sent ripples through the global trade landscape. With a 10 percent general tariff imposed on most imports and a targeted 20 percent tariff on products from the European Union, the food and beverage sector is poised to experience significant disruptions. Of particular concern are the potential impacts on the produce and wine industries, which rely heavily on international trade for both supply and demand. These impacts would be particularly pronounced in New Jersey, a state known for its vibrant food distribution hubs, diverse culinary markets, and extensive food and beverage manufacturing sector.

Produce
Higher Costs and Tighter Supply Chains in the Garden State:
New Jersey plays a central role in the U.S. produce supply chain, thanks to its large ports, warehouse networks, and transportation infrastructure. A significant portion of imported produce entering through the Port of Newark and surrounding logistics centers is distributed to retailers across the Northeast. In 2023, New Jersey imported approximately $13 billion worth of food and beverage products, ranking second among U.S. states in this category. The sector employs over 280,000 individuals, highlighting its importance as a major employment source within the state. The 10 percent tariff on imported goods, while not yet specifically targeting fresh produce, threatens to increase operational costs for New Jersey-based importers, wholesalers, and grocers. Additionally, many New Jersey grocers source off-season produce from Central and South America and are heavily reliant on timely imports to meet year-round demand. Any disruption caused by trade tensions or increased tariffs on agricultural equipment and inputs can result in price hikes of 15 percent or more for items such as lettuce, tomatoes, and avocados. These increases will be most visible in urban areas with large populations that rely on affordable fresh produce, such as Newark, Paterson, and Jersey City.

Wine
Economic Strain on Importers and Retailers Across New Jersey:
New Jersey has a robust wine market, bolstered by both a growing local wine industry and a high demand for imported European wines. The 20 percent tariff on EU wines and spirits will likely have a noticeable effect across the state. Retailers and distributors in communities such as Hoboken, Montclair, and Princeton, which cater to consumers with an appetite for imported wines, are already forecasting decreased variety and increased prices. New Jersey importers and restaurant owners may be forced to scale back their European wine offerings due to higher wholesale costs. A bottle of imported wine that once sold for 20 dollars may now retail for 24 to 26 dollars, a change that could reduce consumer demand and squeeze restaurant profit margins. At the same time, New Jersey wineries may see a modest boost in local sales, but they too are facing rising input costs, supply chain bottlenecks, and shifting consumer trends toward low-alcohol and sustainable alternatives.

The Broader Food and Beverage Industry in New Jersey
New Jersey is home to more than 1,000 food and beverage manufacturing establishments, making it one of the most vital contributors to the state’s economy. These include processors of baked goods, beverages, dairy products, sauces, and ethnic foods that rely on imported ingredients and packaging materials. Tariffs on European and other foreign imports will likely raise the cost of specialty ingredients such as olive oil, cheese, spices, and preserved goods that are critical to many of these operations.

Increased production costs could lead to slimmer profit margins for food manufacturers, particularly small and mid-sized businesses that cannot absorb the price shocks. Some manufacturers may need to reformulate products, find alternative suppliers, or cut back on product lines. This could also affect employment in the sector, which supports tens of thousands of jobs in cities like Camden, Elizabeth, and Secaucus.

Restaurants and foodservice operators, a major part of the state’s hospitality industry, are also vulnerable. Many rely on imported foods and beverages to support internationally themed menus and unique culinary offerings. Higher costs and reduced availability of key ingredients may force changes in menu offerings, pricing, and overall business strategy.

Ramu Govindasamy, professor and extension specialist in the Department of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics, in the field. Courtesy of Ramu Govindasamy.

Broader Implications for New Jersey’s Food Economy
The state’s dense network of restaurants, farmers markets, and ethnic grocery stores will feel the ripple effects of these tariffs. Menu prices may rise, specialty products may become harder to source, and smaller businesses with less pricing flexibility could struggle to absorb the cost increases. Low-income communities in New Jersey, which are already grappling with affordability and food access, will be disproportionately affected by rising food prices.

According to a 2025 analysis by the Yale Budget Lab, the cumulative impact of all enacted tariffs could result in an average household cost increase of 3,800 dollars annually, a burden that will hit working families in New Jersey’s urban and suburban areas especially hard. Inflationary pressures are likely to persist in the short to medium term, particularly if retaliatory tariffs or further trade conflicts emerge.

In response, New Jersey businesses are exploring domestic sourcing options, greenhouse production, and local partnerships to insulate themselves from global market fluctuations. Trade groups representing food retailers, importers, and manufacturers have begun lobbying state and federal officials to seek targeted relief for affected sectors.

Key Products Likely to Experience Notable Effects

Imported Produce (Fruits and Vegetables): New Jersey imports a substantial portion of its fruits and vegetables, especially during off-season periods. Tariffs on imports from countries like Mexico and Canada are expected to raise the costs of these essential items. For instance, products such as tomatoes, avocados, and berries, which are commonly imported, may see price increases. This escalation in costs could lead to higher retail prices, affecting both consumers and businesses that depend on these imports.

Wine and Spirits: Approximately 13.5% of New Jersey’s food and beverage imports come from Italy, and 6.2% from France, indicating a significant portion of wine and spirits imports. The imposition of a 20% tariff on European wines and spirits directly affects New Jersey’s robust market for these products. Retailers and distributors may face increased costs, leading to higher prices for consumers and a potential reduction in variety. This scenario could diminish sales and impact businesses specializing in these imports.

Seafood: A significant portion of seafood consumed in New Jersey is imported, with estimates indicating that 70–85% of seafood in the U.S. comes from international sources. Tariffs on these imports could lead to increased prices for products like salmon and shellfish, impacting both retailers and restaurants that offer seafood dishes. Consumers may face higher prices or reduced availability of certain seafood items.

Specialty Ingredients (e.g., Olive Oil, Cheese, Spices): New Jersey’s food manufacturers and restaurants often rely on imported specialty ingredients to create diverse culinary offerings. Tariffs on products from the European Union and other regions may increase the costs of items such as olive oil, cheeses, and various spices. This could lead to higher operational costs for businesses and potentially higher prices for consumers.

Packaged Foods (e.g., Pasta, Cookies, Crackers): Imported packaged foods from Canada and Mexico, including pasta, cookies, and crackers, are subject to tariffs that may increase their prices. This affects retailers who stock these items and consumers who purchase them, potentially leading to shifts in purchasing habits or seeking alternative products. The new tariffs represent a critical juncture for New Jersey’s food industry. While intended to bolster domestic production, they risk destabilizing the intricate trade networks that keep food shelves stocked, prices manageable, and consumer choices diverse. As one of the key logistical and cultural centers of the East Coast food economy, New Jersey will need to adapt quickly to these changes, balancing resilience with innovation in the face of ongoing global trade tensions.

 

Rutgers scientists Dena Seidel (third from left), Ramu Govindasamy (second from right) and James Simon (at right) are pictured with Governor Stevenson Joseph (center) and Pohnpei officials for the release of the Pohnpei State Food Security Policy in February 2025.

The expansive Pacific Island nation of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) is taking bold steps to develop sustainable local food production with support from an interdisciplinary food system science team from the Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences.

Pohnpei State is home to FSM’s most biodiverse ecosystems that includes many endemic species and unique terrestrial, coastal and ocean environments. With fertile land and abundant fresh water, Pohnpei state is considered well suited for the sustainable development of local agriculture and aquaculture to enhance food security, economic growth, and reduced dependence on imported foods. Pohnpei’s Governor Stevenson A. Joseph recently announced the official endorsement and release of the Pohnpei State Food Security Policy, a groundbreaking initiative that will guide the state toward a more resilient and self-sustaining food system. This policy, developed in collaboration with Rutgers scientists and researchers over the last five years, is the first of its kind in the Federated States of Micronesia.

In 2023, Rutgers graduate student Lara Brindisi (center) is pictured in Pohnpei with Emihner Johnson (left) of the Island Food Community and a colleague.

Rutgers scientists began working with Pohnpei State on this food security policy back in 2020. Dena Seidel, an honorary Ambassador-at-Large for Pohnpei State, had been tasked by then Governor Reed Oliver to assist with the development of a food security policy as central to the state’s effort to tackle food insecurity. A SEBS visiting scholar at the time, Seidel reached out to Jim Simon, Distinguished Professor of Plant Biology, to discuss this opportunity. Simon, who has spent decades supporting sustainable development projects in Africa and Central America with Ramu Govindasamy, professor in the Department of Agricultural and Food Resource Economics, was excited at the chance to apply agriculture science toward food security policy. Soon a Rutgers food system science team was formed that also included Oscar Schofield, professor and chair of the Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences, and Mike Balick, ethnobotanist from the New York Botanical Gardens, among others.

For the past five years, the Rutgers science team has been working in close partnership with Pohnpei State’s Directors of Resources and Development, Hubert Yamada and Mark Kostka and their teams. Building upon prior surveys and previous reports, the Pohnpei State Food Security policy evolved into incorporating new data from the Rutgers’ led Green Climate Fund Baseline Assessment of Climate Change Impact on FSM Farming Families. Using a participatory approach and a community-based food system development framework, the Pohnpei State Food Security Policy is now recognized as representing the voices of the Pohnpei people and their food system development goals and aspirations.

In February 2025, Governor Joseph reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to implementing the Food Production Master Plan 2025 and achieving the ambitious goal of increasing local food production by 50 percent within the next five years.

Oscar Schofield (at right) is pictured in 2022 viewing an aquaculture pilot project in Pohnpei, Micronesia.

“Pohnpei State has enormous potential to strengthen our economy, improve our overall health and nutrition, and build upon our culture through the production of local food. This Food Security Policy serves as a living document to guide us as we take urgent, targeted steps to strengthen our local food system. There is much we can do together to incentivize and stimulate local food production for the benefit of our people,” said Governor Joseph.

“It’s very meaningful to be part of a science team invited to co-create food security policy in the Federated State of Micronesia. Food system development is inherently interdisciplinary, and I am grateful that at Rutgers we have such a wide variety of scientists who are interested and passionate about applying their skills toward the greater good,” said Simon.

Additional scientists, researchers and graduate students that contributed to this policy include Lara Brindisi and Erik Gomes (Plant Biology), Daniel Hoffman, (Nutritional Sciences), Ethan Schoolman (Sociology) Mark Robson, Distinguished Professor of Public Health, and Michael De Luca (Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve) as well as Rutgers students Micah Seidel, Nisha Khanna, Tori Rosen and Erin Quinn. Micronesian food system development partners that contributed to the policy include Engly Ioanis and Manoj Nair (Ph.D) from the College of Micronesia Land-Grant, and Saimon Mix and Emihner Johnson of the Island Food Community.

Pohnpei State Director of R&D Mark Kostka is pictured in 2022 sharing about an aquaculture pilot project with the Rutgers team.

The official endorsement of the Pohnpei State’s Food Security Policy was recently announced on the Governor’s website to support the state’s goals for local food system development with emphasis on strengthening local food production to provide economic opportunities and increased health and well-being for all Pohnpeians.

The Rutgers food system science team working in support of the FSM continues to grow and is now working on their 5th project in support of the nation’s food security goals with collaborative support from Rutgers scientists AJ Both and James Shope (Environmental Sciences), Dave Bushek and Roland Hagan (Marine and Coastal Sciences) and Yariv Ben Naim (Plant Biology).