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title: | SDState Research Report
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A monthly newsletter highlighting South Dakota State University's research, scholarship and creative activity

| View in browser WATCH: Byproducts to bioplastics  For the past few years, South Dakota State University associate professor Srinivas Janaswamy has demonstrated how agriculture byproducts, like avocado peels, switchgrass, spent coffee grounds and banana peels, can be turned into biodegradable films — plastic-like material that decomposes in the environment and may one day replace petroleum-based plastic as the dominant packaging material.   Watch how Janaswamy demonstrates how cellulose — material extracted from the byproducts — can be transformed into these plastic-like films. SDSU tapped to lead NSF-backed, $7 million project to pioneer a new nitrogen bioeconomy era in South Dakota In this statewide, National Science Foundation-backed project, researchers from South Dakota State University, Oglala Lakota College, South Dakota Mines and the University of South Dakota — along with industry partners at Brookings-based Houdek — will study biological nitrogen fixation and its applications in sustainable agriculture and industry. The end goal for the researchers is to genetically engineer nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria as a step toward developing nitrogen-fixing crops, eventually reducing the need for chemical fertilizers in cereal crops. Two SDSU faculty members receive prestigious NSF grants Rachel Short and Gazala Ameen, two assistant professors in South Dakota State University's College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences, have each received one of the National Science Foundation's most prestigious grants for early career faculty to pursue biology research projects. Short's project will focus on identifying and studying fossils from Wind Cave National Park to understand how animals have responded and will continue to respond to human presence and environmental change. Ameen's project will identify the plant defense response indicators to destructive fungal pathogens that pose a serious risk to global food security. Soil, salt and ceramics  Adam Devlin, a recent master’s graduate in the South Dakota State University Department of Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Science, worked on a collaborative project with faculty in the School of Design to bring awareness to the hardships of South Dakota farmers and the effects of soil composition in various subjects. SDSU researchers to improve heat tolerance in wheat crops  A team of South Dakota State University researchers — led by professor Wanlong Li — have received a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture to modify the genetic code of wheat plants to make them more tolerant to heat stress.  SDSU researcher examines food insecurity  Around 10% of the United States population experiences some level of food insecurity each year. Geb Bastian, an assistant professor in South Dakota State University's School of Health and Human Sciences, examined the details of food insecurity in the U.S. in a recent study. Research in the News   South Dakota Public Broadcasting — "Inflation fallacy contributes to consumer discontent"   South Dakota Public Broadcasting — "SDSU researcher named one of top 25 inspiring women in plant biology"   American Ag Network — "SDSU tapped to lead NSF-backed, $7 million project to pioneer a new nitrogen bioeconomy era in South Dakota"   Yankton Press & Dakotan — "The price is wrong: SDSU researchers explore farmers' interest in carbon markets"   South Dakota Public Broadcasting — "SDSU researcher named one of top 25 inspiring women in plant biology"   Ars — "The Yellowstone supervolcano destroyed an ecosystem but saved it for us"   Ag Week — "$7 million project at South Dakota State University will expand fertilizer alternatives"   American Ag Network — "SDSU researchers to improve heat tolerance in wheat crops"   Feedlot Magazine — "Heifer development with precision supplementation"     Seed Today — "South Dakota State University researchers to improve heat tolerance in wheat crops"   World Grain — "Wheat heat tolerance study receives USDA funding"   Keloland — "Training to help counselors understand farmers lives"   Agriculture of America (podcast) — "AOA Friday 7-19-24"   Tri-State Neighbor — "Two SDSU faculty members receive prestigious National Science Foundation grants"   American Ag Network — "SDSU researcher examines food insecurity"   The Brookings Register — "SDSU project opens more STEM research pathways for Native American students"   The Brookings Register — "South Dakota State researchers assessing water values in new survey"   South Dakota Public Broadcasting — "SDSU researchers ask East River residents about water resource values"   Ag Update — "SDSU researchers work to improve heat tolerance in wheat crops"   Filtration & Separation — "July 2024"   South Dakota Public Broadcasting — "South Dakota economists speak on how inflation impacts state"   Keloland — "SDSU professor takes close look at food insecurity"  University Marketing and Communications, Communications Center Box 2230, 1007 Campanile Ave, Brookings, SD 57007, 605-688-6161 Unsubscribe Manage preferences |
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