Sherman Lewis School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences
Research Programs
Langston University Research, Cooperative Extension and Outreach Programs are dedicated to serving all citizens of Oklahoma. Programs and delivery methods are designed to address the needs of underserved and underrepresented diverse populations in the state, especially small farmers, and limited-resource consumers. Langston University Cooperative Extension and Outreach efforts are designed to serve as vehicles to take scholarly, peer-reviewed, and stakeholder-driven research findings, demonstrations, and education activities to the citizens of Oklahoma, many of whom are traditionally underserved. Projected outcomes and impacts include deliverables that enhance the economic status, health, and quality of life of Oklahoma’s citizens and make them more competitive as viable producers and consumers in niche markets and the broader global marketplace.
The SL/SAAS research program aims to create significant short-term impact on people and communities by strengthening and expanding research in food, agriculture, and consumer issues. Specifically: to identify, seek solutions and create results on current and emerging agricultural and related problems at the local, state, national and international levels, including the improvement of agricultural methods and products as well as the improvement of people’s lives and communities. Underserved and underrepresented populations and those with limited resources in rural and urban areas are our target stakeholders.
The primary initiatives are to:
- Enhance research activities by establishing new facilities and improving existing facilities.
- Build on the excellent research output of small ruminant and large, crops, climate smart agriculture, resource sustainability, biotechnology, agribusiness and other related areas.
- Encourage interdisciplinary research among faculty and staff within LU/SAAS from other Langston University Departments (e.g. biology, chemistry, education, sociology, etc.), and other institutions.
- Promote faculty/staff professional development and networking opportunities to increase grants development, funding opportunity, international collaboration, and student/staff recruitment.
- Effectively monitor, evaluate, and encourage the dissemination of research findings for efficient resource utilization to improve people’s quality of life and to promote economic development.
We have made great strides in expanding our research programming and currently have 16 individual Evans Allen projects in Animal Science (Small Ruminant), Animal Products, Plant Science/Horticulture/Biotechnology, Aquaculture, and Agribusiness. SL/SAAS scientists have also been successful in competing for external grants to complement Evans-Allen projects. Note: Evans Allen is our main source of research funds.
CONTACTS
Director and Research Leader, American Institute for Goat Research
The mission of the E (Kika) de la Garza American Institute for Goat Research is to develop and transfer enhanced goat production system technologies, which impacts local, state, regional, national and international levels. The Institute strives to fulfill this mission through excellence in a results-driven, highly productive research program; an effective, client-oriented extension approach; and dynamic international activities that stress development and human capacity building. Our cutting-edge research focuses on providing new, relevant and usable information to producers and researchers alike.
For more information or registration refer to: http://goats.langston.edu
CONTACTS
The Center for Horticulture and Agronomy at the Sherman Lewis School for Agriculture and Applied Sciences is the newest research facility, and it provides a central place for studies related to production, biological, economic and social challenges related to food and agriculture.
CONTACT
The Aquatic Resources Center at Langston University is a multidisciplinary research, extension and education facility. The research conducted in aquaculture, aquaponics, and water quality crosses traditional boundaries of natural resources, environment, production agriculture and human dimensions. The extension program strives to broaden the findings and resources of the center for the public good. The education program ensures students at Langston University acquire innovative tools to compete in the modern world of agriculture, natural resources and environmental sciences.
CONTACTS
This program is integral to plant research and education activities in the Sherman Lewis School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences. It is designed to conduct innovative plant biotechnology and plant research, work with students and perform outreach activities. Program activities are carried out in laboratories, greenhouses and in experimental fields. Plant biotechnology research ranges from gene isolation, sequencing and sequence analysis to gene expression in vitro and in vivo, and tissue and organ culture. It has recently established the largest daylily genetic stock (250 varieties) in the Midwest, with the goal of developing a universal protocol for in vitro cell manipulations and plant regeneration. The complementary molecular activities will foster efforts to answer fundamental biological questions on molecular mechanisms that control the daylily’s famous “one day flowering period,” or its rich array of flower colors, among other aspects of this unique plant.
The Center for Biotech Research and Education encompasses research, production and outreach activities all to develop more efficient methods for crop production, farmers and student technology transfer, and more sustainable supplies of a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables to the local markets. General activities are planned year-round.
CONTACT
Agribusiness and economic development research focuses on the allocation and use of scarce resources. Research is designed to improve the capacity of people, businesses and communities to develop and manage resources efficiently, fairly and sustainably. Research also emphasizes and seeks to understand rural/urban labor markets, the dynamics of food insecurity, and income inequality and poverty. The aim is to always find ways to improve people’s quality of life and promote economic growth. Interdisciplinary research is conducted with various partners in The Sherman Lewis School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences.
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Faculty in Family and Consumer Sciences seek to better understand and promote the positive development of children and adolescents from diverse backgrounds with a focus on building resilience. Emphasis is placed on researching childcare settings, parent involvement and parenting, childhood obesity prevention, emotional regulation, school performance and youth programs.