果冻传媒麻豆社

Nilsa A. Bosque-P茅rez

Department of Plant, Soil and Entomological Sciences

Presented with support of the Provost鈥檚 Office and University Honors Program

Abstract

Interdisciplinary efforts are critical to address the complex problems our society faces. This talk will highlight a model for educating doctoral students for careers involving interdisciplinary, team-based research created as part of two National Science Foundation Integrative Graduate Research and Education Traineeship (NSF-IGERT) projects. The educational model was developed by faculty at the 果冻传媒麻豆社 and the Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center (CATIE) in Costa Rica. The model involves:

• Identification of integrated research questions combining team members鈥� disciplines;
• Coursework to review theoretical underpinnings of interdisciplinarity and develop integrated research proposals to address research questions;
• Meetings and workshops to enhance team cohesiveness;
• Engagement with stakeholders;
• Interdisciplinary team research that yields joint dissertation chapters and publications. 

The model achieved a level of integration unique among graduate education programs. More than 40 doctoral students have participated over the past 15 years. Using examples from IGERT projects, the talk will emphasize the importance of interdisciplinary team research and training for graduate students.

Biography

Nilsa Bosque-P茅rez obtained her B.Sc. in agronomy and soil science from the University of Puerto Rico, Mayag眉ez, and her M.S. and Ph.D. in entomology at the University of California, Davis. A UI faculty member since 1997, she serves as project director and student mentor in the UI-CATIE NSF-IGERT project 鈥淓valuating resilience of ecological and social systems in changing landscapes.鈥� She previously served as Director of the IGERT project 鈥淓cosystem management in tropical and temperate regions: integrating education in sustainable production and biodiversity conservation鈥� (2001-2008). Her many awards include the UI鈥檚 Award for Excellence in Interdisciplinary or Collaborative Efforts.