RESEARCH CLUSTER
Agriculture and Food Technologies
Cultivating Innovation
Advancing the future of agriculture through interdisciplinary research in food systems, conservation, emerging technology, environmental health, and sustainability. The Agriculture and Food Technologies Research Cluster connects researchers across the University of Memphis to develop solutions that strengthen agricultural productivity, protect natural resources, improve food and environmental safety, and build more resilient communities and supply chains.
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Overview
Research Areas & Themes
Faculty & Researchers
Research Projects
Partnerships & Collaborations
Get Involved
Overview
The global population is projected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, increasing pressure on food production, natural resources, supply chains, and environmental systems. At the same time, agriculture is undergoing a technological transformation. Artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, advanced sensing, genomics, data analytics, and other emerging technologies are creating new opportunities to improve productivity, strengthen food systems, conserve natural resources, and build greater resilience.
The Agriculture and Food Technologies Research Cluster at the University of Memphis brings together researchers across biological sciences, chemistry, engineering, computer science, health sciences, business, law, and related disciplines to address complex challenges across agriculture, food, and conservation. Research spans fundamental science, technology development, environmental and human health, economic analysis, and policy, connecting discovery with practical applications for producers, communities, industry, and government.
A major component of this work is the Institute for Agricultural and Conservation Research and Education (ACRE). ACRE advances interdisciplinary research in conservation, biodiversity, soil and plant health, climate-resilient food systems, agricultural technology, and biomanufacturing. By connecting expertise across the University and with external partners, ACRE supports research designed to strengthen agricultural productivity, protect natural resources, and create more resilient food and environmental systems.
Research Areas & Themes
Sustainable Agriculture & Crop Resilience
Research explores crop productivity, regenerative agriculture, soil health, plant genetics, microbial interactions, drought response, specialty crops, and strategies for creating more resilient agricultural systems.
Biodiversity & Conservation
Researchers study biological diversity, forests, pollinators, ecosystem resilience, conservation planning, invasive species, and strategies for protecting natural resources while supporting agricultural productivity.
Agricultural Technology & Precision Agriculture
AI, autonomous systems, drones, remote sensing, GIS, deep learning, and predictive modeling are used to better understand agricultural environments and support more precise management of crops, soils, and natural resources.
Food Safety, Environmental Health & Water Resources
Research examines pathogens, contaminants, antibiotic resistance, microplastics, agricultural chemicals, water quality, wastewater, and other environmental factors that can affect food systems, ecosystems, and human health.
Plant, Microbial & Genomic Sciences
Researchers investigate plant genetics, crop evolution, fungal and microbial communities, plant-pathogen interactions, and genomics to improve crop performance, resilience, sustainability, and breeding strategies.
Food Systems, Supply Chains & Cybersecurity
Researchers examine how food and agricultural products move through complex supply chains, including logistics efficiency, resilience, traceability, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies such as blockchain.
Agricultural Economics, Business & Policy
Research explores economic development, agricultural markets, conservation finance, trade, regulatory frameworks, water rights, and business strategies connected to agriculture and natural resources.
Faculty & Researchers
Co-Directors
Dr. Jennifer Mandel
Director, Institute for Agricultural and Conservation Research and Education (ACRE)
Department of Biological Sciences
Mandel's research includes plant genomics, crop diversity, biodiversity, plant-microbiome interactions, specialty crops, and the development of more resilient agricultural systems.
Dr. Duane McKenna
Associate Professor
Department of Biological Sciences
McKenna contributes biological sciences expertise to the University's interdisciplinary research in agriculture, biodiversity, and conservation.
Additional Participating Researchers
Research across the cluster and ACRE also includes contributions from faculty and collaborators.| Name | Position | Department / Organization |
|---|---|---|
| Shawn Brown | Associate Professor | .Department of Biological Sciences | University of Memphis |
| Leigh Boardman | Assistant Professor | Department of Biological Sciences | University of Memphis |
| Chunrong Jia | Professor | School of Public Health | University of Memphis |
| Eddie Jacobs | Senior Researcher (CAESER) & Professor | Electrical and Computer Engineering | University of Memphis |
| Chris Ramezanpour | Associate Director | Institute for Agricultural and Conservation Research and Education (ACRE) |
| Brandt Pence | Associate Professor & Director of Research | College of Health and Human Sciences | University of Memphis |
| Esra Ozdenerol | Professor, Director of GIS Certificate program, Director of SAGE (Spatial Analysis and Geographic Education) Laboratory | Department of Earth Sciences | University of Memphis |
| Maryam Salehi | Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering | Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering | University of Memphis |
| Youngsang Kwon | Associate Professor | Department of Earth Sciences | University of Memphis |
| Sanjay Mishra | Professor | Department of Physics and Materials Science | University of Memphis |
| Debra Bartelli | Associate Research Professor | School of Public Health | University of Memphis |
| Mohammadreza Davoodi | Assistant Professor | Electrical and Computer Engineering | University of Memphis |
| Susy Jaramillo | Assistant Professor & PhD Co-Coordinator | Department of Marketing | University of Memphis |
| Wes James | Pat E. Burlison Professor & Department Chair | Department of Sociology | University of Memphis |
| Farhad Jazaei | UMRF Ventures Professor & Associate Professor | Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering | University of Memphis |
| Abu Mohammed Naser Titu | Assistant Professor | School of Public Health | University of Memphis |
| Jessica Amber Jennings | Associate Professor | Department of Biomedical Engineering | University of Memphis |
Current / Past Research Projects
Biodiversity Risk Assessments
Jennifer Mandel, Shawn Brown and Leigh Boardman
Developing biodiversity risk assessment tools that help identify and prioritize areas for conservation action. The work supports biological diversity, soil health, ecosystem resilience, and strategies for reducing environmental and supply chain risks.
Specialty Crops: Biological Research & Economic Outlooks
Chris Ramezanpour, Jennifer Mandel, Shawn Brown, Wes James and the Center for Community Research and Evaluation
Exploring opportunities for the Mid-South Mississippi Delta to expand agricultural diversity, productivity, and economic opportunity through specialty crop production and related biological and economic research.
Regenerative Agriculture & Predictive Modeling
Eddie Jacobs, Mohammadreza Davoodi, Shawn Brown and Jennifer Mandel
Investigating variations in soil moisture, mineral content, plant productivity, and microbial activity while developing predictive approaches that can support more effective and sustainable agricultural management.
Microbiome & Water Stress in Sunflowers
Jennifer Mandel and Shawn Brown
Examining how drought conditions and plant genetics affect below-ground fungal microbiomes. The research provides insight into plant-microbe interactions that may contribute to crop resilience under changing environmental conditions.
Comparative Genomics of Flower Development in the Sunflower Family
Jennifer Mandel, in collaboration with Clemson University and the University of Georgia
This National Science Foundation-supported project expands genomic resources for the sunflower family and explores new approaches to gene editing that could improve crop yield and agricultural sustainability.
Monitoring Honey Bee Pests & Pathogens Using Environmental DNA
Leigh Boardman
Developing approaches to monitor emerging honey bee pests and diseases using environmental DNA. Healthy pollinator populations are essential to agricultural productivity, biodiversity, and ecosystem health.
Monitoring Pathogen Buildup in White Oak Restoration Sites
Shawn Brown, in collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service
Investigating biological and climate-related factors affecting white oak growth, regional tree suitability, and interactions between white oak and pathogens to inform restoration and breeding strategies for greater resilience.
Profiles of Chemical Contaminants & Antibiotic Resistance in Urban Garden Soil
Chunrong Jia
Analyzing urban garden soils for heavy metals and antibiotic resistance to better understand potential health risks and support safer urban agriculture.
Clothing Fibers & Air-Related Exposure to Microplastics
Chunrong Jia, Farhad Jazaei, Abu Mohammed Naser Titu and Jennifer Mandel
Supported by the National Cotton Foundation, this research examines airborne microplastic exposure associated with natural and synthetic clothing fibers and evaluates potential respiratory implications.
Heavy Metal Uptake by Agricultural Microplastics
Maryam Salehi Esfandarani
Investigating how degraded microplastics in agricultural soils absorb and release heavy metals, providing insight into potential impacts on soil quality, crop health, and agricultural safety.
Fungal Endophytes for Bioherbicidal Kudzu Control
Shawn Brown
Exploring fungal endophytes as a biological strategy for controlling invasive kudzu while reducing pathogen spillover and dependence on conventional chemical treatments.
Financing Nature
Susy Jaramillo and Chris Ramezanpour
Developing innovative approaches to financing biodiversity and conservation initiatives, connecting environmental priorities with economic and business models.
Agri-STEM Curriculum
Shawn Brown, Jennifer Mandel and Deb Leslie
Designing and promoting Agri-STEM programming that introduces rural and urban students to agriculture, science, technology, engineering, and related career pathways.
Autonomous UAV Detection of Crop Weeds
Eddie Jacobs
Combining autonomous drones and deep learning to identify and locate weed infestations, supporting precision spraying strategies that could reduce herbicide use and improve agricultural efficiency.
Explore More Research
Research across the cluster extends into urban soil health using GIS and drones, crop production in rural Haiti, African oilseed crop genetics, tree biodiversity modeling, wastewater treatment, and the connections between plant-based compounds and human health.
Discover additional agriculture and conservation research happening across the University through the ACRE project portfolio.
Partnerships & Collaborations
The Agriculture and Food Technologies Research Cluster brings together expertise across the University of Memphis while creating opportunities for collaboration with external organizations working across agriculture, conservation, technology, food systems, and environmental sustainability.
These partnerships help connect fundamental research with real-world challenges and create pathways for field research, technology development, workforce education, commercialization, and regional economic development.
Our Partners
Current and recent collaborations include partnerships with:
Get Involved
Opportunities to engage include:
- Research Collaboration – Connect with University researchers working across agriculture, food systems, conservation, environmental health, and emerging technology.
- Industry & Government Partnerships – Collaborate on applied research, technology development, testing, data analysis, and real-world agricultural challenges.
- Student Research & Internships – Create opportunities for students to gain experience through interdisciplinary research and industry engagement.
- Educational Programming – Participate in Agri-STEM, workshops, research programming, and other educational initiatives.
- Sponsored Research – Partner with researchers to pursue external funding and develop projects addressing shared priorities.
For research and collaboration opportunities, contact ACRE@memphis.edu or fedex@memphis.edu.