Delaware State University has received a $591,628 grant from the National Science Foundation for hemp research. The endowment will allow undergraduates to participate in the university’s College of Agriculture, Science and Technology hemp research program.
The project, called the “Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs) Hemp Initiative Project,” will be interdisciplinary, involving university science disciplines.
According to the university, chemistry students participating in the program will investigate extraction techniques for the desired end-use of hemp products and biofuel feedstock. Biological sciences students will be engaged in cancer research, investigating the conditions under which CBD induces cell death versus when cells are protected against cell-damaging stressors.
Food science students will research different methods of extraction of food protein from hemp seed protein powder and hemp seed oil and test the methods’ effectiveness. Animal science students will look at the effects of hemp extract on parasitic larvae in light of the increased drug resistance of parasites.
Dr. Kimberly Milligan, visiting assistant professor of chemistry and principal investigator of the grant, said that students “have a greater connection to their discoveries and learning when they can visualize the link between what they are learning in lab and real-world applications.”
“Research has shown that students who engage in research benefit from a wide range of outcomes, including more confidence in their abilities to do science, a greater connection with the scientific community, and increased persistence in science.” – Milligan, in a statement
DSU was tabbed by the state to be the lead research entity in its Hemp Research Pilot Project, which was included in the state’s hemp legalization bill. DSU has partnered with Kentucky State University on the project.
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