Spotlight on COSAM Projects for Tiger Giving Day: Davis Arboretum’s Meadow Renovation Project

“We are excited to announce plans for the Meadow Renovation and feel it will be an important educational enhancement to the existing arboretum landscape,” said Morgan Pendergrass.

Pendergrass explained that the new design will feature a deconstructed approach - allowing students and visitors an up-close view of a meadow’s components rather than just the expansive view one might observe from a large meadow. 

Spotlight on COSAM Projects for Tiger Giving Day: SCORE’s Simon-Knowles Innovative Learning Library (SKILL)

“Sometimes, schools might have robotics, yet teachers may not be familiar with how to use them, the equipment breaks, or the technology becomes out of date. Through the SKILL loaning library, we will not only provide the training to make educators feel more comfortable using the robotics technology, but we’ll also maintain the equipment and ensure the technology is current. We even offer Android or iPad devices for checkout if a device is needed to run a specific robot,” explained Jennifer Spencer.

Superfood research: Courtney Leisner receives $281,173 USDA grant to understand natural product biosynthesis in blueberries

Courtney Leisner is the recipient of a $281,173 New Investigator Seed Grant from the United States Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture to identify and characterize genes in commercial blueberry cultivars that are responsible for production of iridoid compounds, which are metabolites with known human health benefits.

“I am proud that this grant supports the land-grant mission of Auburn University,” said Courtney Leisner. “Not only are blueberries an economically important fruit crop in the southeastern United States, but blueberries are an accessible superfood available year-round to consumers.”

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COSAM Today is published by COSAM's Office of Communications and Marketing. Questions? Send an email to mcg0052@auburn.edu.