Advances in sustainable agriculture are critical to ensure future food security in the face of a changing climate and environment. Manipulating crop microbiomes is an area of active research with great promise for regenerative agriculture.
RIO Moonshot Seed Grants
The CALS Research and Innovation Office (RIO) and the Cornell Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) are pleased to fund the CALS Moonshot Seed Grant Program. Recipients of the seed grants are advancing the frontiers of science, technology and community wellbeing, and leverage innovative theories and cutting-edge technologies to tackle critical challenges and create transformative impacts in three strategic areas:
- AI in Agriculture, Food Security, Sustainability, Health, and Life Sciences
- Food is Medicine
- Regenerative Agriculture and Science
A probiotic that degrades imidazole propionate, a proinflammatory histidine metabolite common to numerous chronic diseases
Imidazole propionate (ImP), a gut microbiota-derived metabolite of histidine, has emerged as a key player in multiple chronic diseases including type 2 diabetes (T2D) obesity and hypertension, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, chronic kidney disease and neurodegenerative diseases such as...
Establishing a Transient Expression System for Key Bioactive Compounds in N. benthamiana Through Virus Vectors
The aim of this project is to provide proof of concept for production of crocin metabolites in our transient expression system using N. benthamiana plants.
AI-assisted quantifications of carbon sequestration in soil and forest biomass of the continental US
To quantify soil organic carbon (SOC) storage and forest biomass across the continental US, we have developed BINN (Biogeochemistry-Informed Neural Network), which seamlessly integrates models and big data through neural network.
Bid Behavior and Policy Design in Public Fresh Produce Procurement: Evidence from Lettuce
Public food procurement contracts are commonly awarded through competitive sealed-bid procedures in which vendors strategically determine bid prices while competing for institutional food supply contracts.
Developing the green algae Penium margaritaceum for new engineered living materials
We are studying the potential of a Zygnematophyte species, Penium margaritaceum, as new engineered living materials (ELMs) for more sustainable products.
Brewing biodiversity: AI-powered acoustic monitoring of birds in coffee landscapes
Using AI-powered research, we aim to uncover novel insights into how regenerative agricultural practices affect bird communities.
Rethinking Whole-Produce Processing: Advanced Nano-Milling for Nutrient-Dense Smoothies
Traditional produce processing treats structural plant components—skins, seeds, and fibrous cores—as low-value waste, stripping essential dietary fibers and polyphenols from final food products.
Advancing Dairy- and Egg-Based Protein from Competition Prototypes to Scale-Up through Cornell EntrA
Consumers increasingly seek convenient, high-protein foods, yet many protein products remain concentrated in shakes, bars, and other functional formats.
Deploying Artificial Intelligence to Develop Precision Soil Health Assessments for Perennial Fruit Crops
Healthy vineyard and orchard soils are needed to sustain the $7.2 billion apple and grape industries in NYS.