{"id":74,"date":"2021-06-08T22:04:00","date_gmt":"2021-06-08T22:04:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.foodanimal.ncsu.edu\/?p=74"},"modified":"2021-11-05T16:22:44","modified_gmt":"2021-11-05T16:22:44","slug":"fai-in-action-a-unique-fellowship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/foodanimal.ncsu.edu\/news\/fai-in-action-a-unique-fellowship\/","title":{"rendered":"FAI In Action: A Unique Fellowship"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Catherine Gensler was finishing up her master\u2019s degree when the NC State Food Animal Initiative<\/a> (FAI) Fellowship opportunity was shared via IAFP<\/a>. Agritourism was the call-out word that piqued Gensler\u2019s curiosity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gensler had long held an interest in agritourism and food safety, mainly focused on where food comes from and how to safely prepare and consume that food. Intrigued by the fellowship\u2019s study of the intersection of agritourism and food safety, Gensler eagerly applied. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Tangible Product of FAI Collaboration<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The FAI fellowship is one of the first tangible outcomes of the FAI initiative. Continuing the theme of collaboration of the tri-chairs<\/a> explored previously, the fellow is co-advised by two professors, thus gaining multiple research perspectives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gensler earned the fellowship and started the program in Fall 2019; she has since completed four semesters, with two more and a dissertation to go. With a bachelor\u2019s in Food Science<\/a> and a master\u2019s in Animal Science<\/a>, Gensler was a good fit for the opportunity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The FAI Fellowship Facts <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Catherine<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The FAI Fellowship project focuses on learning how to communicate and disseminate research that supports the understanding of agriculture and existing food safety risks and then considers how to get farmers and visitors to act accordingly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the rapid growth of agritourism, risks exist with farm visitors contacting the animals. You\u2019ve probably heard of or even participated in goat yoga, recently visited a petting zoo or took the family strawberry picking. This fellowship considers how to effectively manage risk for agritourism visitors in a way that permits high-value experience and the greatest interaction with the animals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

FAI Fellowship Research\u2019s Main Objective <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBuilding a risk-assessment tool, using collected data, to identify risk and ways to mitigate risk in agritourism\u201d is the main objective of this fellowship, said Gensler. The final tool will support the operator\u2019s understanding of risk and how to manage risk, ultimately reducing the possibility of illness from animal contact. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gensler currently envisions the tool as an application, in which farmers are quizzed on their current safety tactics, how many animals they have and the type of activity visitors participate in. Using the prevalence of pathogens and visitor count, the tool would then provide prescribed precautions to reduce illness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Benefit of Co-Advisors <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Part of what makes this FAI Fellowship unique is Gensler works with co-advisors from two different colleges at NC State, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences<\/a> (CALS) and the College of Veterinary Medicine<\/a> (CVM), both involved in FAI. Dr. Megan Jacob<\/a> is an Associate Professor in Clinical Microbiology and Director of Diagnostic Laboratories in CVM, and Dr. Benjamin Chapman<\/a> is professor and food safety extension specialist in CALS. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When interviewing, Gensler was inspired by the co-advisor structure: \u201cHaving two advisors at one time could only be a benefit. With two differing opinions, you get more perspective, which could only help you.\u201d Meeting bi-weekly with both professors allows Gensler to receive constructive feedback on her research as well as guidance for additional university resources. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fellowship design has also benefited the professors. \u201cThis fellowship has provided a structure to support a more formal research collaboration between me and Dr. Chapman,\u201d said Dr. Jacob. They\u2019ve been able to put ideas into action that they\u2019ve discussed for years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It Takes Two\u2026Wait, Three<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"\/
Prestage Dept. of Poutry Science student introduces a child to a baby chicken during Farm Animal Days.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

With Dr. Chapman involved in consumer behavior and Dr. Jacob\u2019s focus in microbiology and diagnostics, the partnership works well, especially when setting up research projects. \u201cThe way they work together is seamless,\u201d said Gensler. \u201cThey have a shared vision for this agritourism project in that they want to combine an understanding of animal-level risk and human-level risk.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Chapman agrees: \u201cThe FAI Fellowship allows us to fully embrace a multidisciplinary and innovative approach to real world issues.\u201d Dr. Jacob believes the fellowship has provided Gensler a broader sense of academic life as well as a range of experiences, networks and courses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cross-Cutting Research is Cool <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gensler thinks it\u2019s \u201ca welcome challenge\u201d that she\u2019s been awarded the latitude to explore this cross-cutting research project and believes bringing more people together is the direction research needs to head.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been an amazing experience that I realize not many students get to be a part of. It gets me thinking, when I start a new project, who needs to be at the table?\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false,"raw":"\n\n\n\n\n

Catherine Gensler was finishing up her master\u2019s degree when the NC State Food Animal Initiative<\/a> (FAI) Fellowship opportunity was shared via IAFP<\/a>. Agritourism was the call-out word that piqued Gensler\u2019s curiosity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gensler had long held an interest in agritourism and food safety, mainly focused on where food comes from and how to safely prepare and consume that food. Intrigued by the fellowship\u2019s study of the intersection of agritourism and food safety, Gensler eagerly applied. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Tangible Product of FAI Collaboration<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The FAI fellowship is one of the first tangible outcomes of the FAI initiative. Continuing the theme of collaboration of the tri-chairs<\/a> explored previously, the fellow is co-advised by two professors, thus gaining multiple research perspectives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gensler earned the fellowship and started the program in Fall 2019; she has since completed four semesters, with two more and a dissertation to go. With a bachelor\u2019s in Food Science<\/a> and a master\u2019s in Animal Science<\/a>, Gensler was a good fit for the opportunity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The FAI Fellowship Facts <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Catherine<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The FAI Fellowship project focuses on learning how to communicate and disseminate research that supports the understanding of agriculture and existing food safety risks and then considers how to get farmers and visitors to act accordingly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the rapid growth of agritourism, risks exist with farm visitors contacting the animals. You\u2019ve probably heard of or even participated in goat yoga, recently visited a petting zoo or took the family strawberry picking. This fellowship considers how to effectively manage risk for agritourism visitors in a way that permits high-value experience and the greatest interaction with the animals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

FAI Fellowship Research\u2019s Main Objective <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBuilding a risk-assessment tool, using collected data, to identify risk and ways to mitigate risk in agritourism\u201d is the main objective of this fellowship, said Gensler. The final tool will support the operator\u2019s understanding of risk and how to manage risk, ultimately reducing the possibility of illness from animal contact. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gensler currently envisions the tool as an application, in which farmers are quizzed on their current safety tactics, how many animals they have and the type of activity visitors participate in. Using the prevalence of pathogens and visitor count, the tool would then provide prescribed precautions to reduce illness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Benefit of Co-Advisors <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Part of what makes this FAI Fellowship unique is Gensler works with co-advisors from two different colleges at NC State, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences<\/a> (CALS) and the College of Veterinary Medicine<\/a> (CVM), both involved in FAI. Dr. Megan Jacob<\/a> is an Associate Professor in Clinical Microbiology and Director of Diagnostic Laboratories in CVM, and Dr. Benjamin Chapman<\/a> is professor and food safety extension specialist in CALS. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When interviewing, Gensler was inspired by the co-advisor structure: \u201cHaving two advisors at one time could only be a benefit. With two differing opinions, you get more perspective, which could only help you.\u201d Meeting bi-weekly with both professors allows Gensler to receive constructive feedback on her research as well as guidance for additional university resources. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fellowship design has also benefited the professors. \u201cThis fellowship has provided a structure to support a more formal research collaboration between me and Dr. Chapman,\u201d said Dr. Jacob. They\u2019ve been able to put ideas into action that they\u2019ve discussed for years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It Takes Two\u2026Wait, Three<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"\/
Prestage Dept. of Poutry Science student introduces a child to a baby chicken during Farm Animal Days.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

With Dr. Chapman involved in consumer behavior and Dr. Jacob\u2019s focus in microbiology and diagnostics, the partnership works well, especially when setting up research projects. \u201cThe way they work together is seamless,\u201d said Gensler. \u201cThey have a shared vision for this agritourism project in that they want to combine an understanding of animal-level risk and human-level risk.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Chapman agrees: \u201cThe FAI Fellowship allows us to fully embrace a multidisciplinary and innovative approach to real world issues.\u201d Dr. Jacob believes the fellowship has provided Gensler a broader sense of academic life as well as a range of experiences, networks and courses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cross-Cutting Research is Cool <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gensler thinks it\u2019s \u201ca welcome challenge\u201d that she\u2019s been awarded the latitude to explore this cross-cutting research project and believes bringing more people together is the direction research needs to head.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been an amazing experience that I realize not many students get to be a part of. It gets me thinking, when I start a new project, who needs to be at the table?\u201d<\/p>\n"},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A tangible outcome of NC State’s Food Animal Initiative, the FAI Fellowship is co-advised by two professors. FAI Fellow Catherine Gensler is focusing on effectively manage risk for agritourism visitors to permit high-value experience and the greatest interaction with the animals.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":75,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"source":"","ncst_custom_author":"","ncst_show_custom_author":false,"ncst_dynamicHeaderBlockName":"ncst\/default-post-header","ncst_dynamicHeaderData":"{\"showAuthor\":true,\"showDate\":true,\"showFeaturedVideo\":false,\"displayCategoryID\":7,\"caption\":\"\"}","ncst_content_audit_freq":"","ncst_content_audit_date":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[10,11,16,22],"class_list":["post-74","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-people","tag-agritourism","tag-animal-agriculture","tag-collaboration","tag-food-safety"],"displayCategory":{"term_id":7,"name":"People","slug":"people","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":7,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":3,"filter":"raw"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/foodanimal.ncsu.edu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/foodanimal.ncsu.edu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/foodanimal.ncsu.edu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foodanimal.ncsu.edu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/18"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foodanimal.ncsu.edu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=74"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/foodanimal.ncsu.edu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":107,"href":"https:\/\/foodanimal.ncsu.edu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74\/revisions\/107"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foodanimal.ncsu.edu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/75"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/foodanimal.ncsu.edu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=74"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foodanimal.ncsu.edu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=74"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foodanimal.ncsu.edu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=74"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}