| Affiliations: | |
| Project Leader: | Sarah Brinkley scbrinkley@tamu.edu Horticultural Sciences |
| Faculty Mentor: | Botezatu, Andreea, Ph.D. |
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Meeting Times:
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TBD; we will work with all team members’ schedules to find the best time to meet |
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Team Size:
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3 |
| Open Spots: | 0 |
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Special Opportunities:
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Individuals who make substantial contributions will be considered for co-authorships and/or to present research at the university level
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Team Needs:
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-Required: Working knowledge of RStudio and statistical packages (for example, GGPubR) -Preferred: Version control and data management skills. Comfortable with: Microsoft Teams, RStudio version control through Github, literature searching in Google Scholar -Throughout the semester, the team will have the opportunity to be exposed to and develop an understanding of analytical chemistry, food science (including coffee roasting), plant nutrition, and soil science. -There will also be opportunities to develop data analysis, scientific writing, and presentation skills. -All majors are encouraged to apply. Specific skills needed: good communication between individual teammates, self-motivation to follow through, willingness to work in a 100% virtual environment |
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Description:
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-Coffee Quality from Seep to Cup: Statistical Analysis of Soil Health Promoting Practices for Improved Coffee Beverage Quality -Background: Despite increasing worldwide consumption of coffee, smallholder farmers still struggle to earn a living. In low-input systems, where resources are limited, sustainable ag practices can aid in nutrient cycling improving soil and plant health. -Research Question: Does improved soil and plant health translate to improved beverage quality? -Data gathered: Data from multiple disciplines ranging from soil science and plant nutrition to phytochemistry/ metabolimics andsensory science. A detailed survey was conducted in Honduras on established, commercial coffee farms to assess soil and plant health. Coffee quality has been measured. -What’s needed: Uni- and multivariate statistical analysis, literature searching, and academic/ scientific writing |