Overview and organization

In the Agricultural Research Service, intramural research programs are referred to as CRIS projects (Cooperative Research Information Service).  These so-called CRIS projects can be viewed as the basic building blocks for the Agency.  These projects are initiated by National Program Staff to ensure compatability with congressional mandates and national needs.  They are peer reviewed approximately every five years through the Office of Scientific Quality Review (OSQR).  Management oversight is provided at the location level by the Leon Kochian (Research Leader) and within the North Atlantic Area by Wilda Martinez (Area Director). 

Each CRIS project has a lead scientist who has the primary responsibility for the research program and overall project management, and typically number of other permanent scientists, temporary scientists, visitors, postdoctoral fellows, students and technicians.  The links below will direct you to web pages providing detailed information on each CRIS project including research goals and personnel.

CRIS Projects in the Plant, Soil, and Nutrition Research Unit

• Alternative Mechanisms for Improving Ruminal Fermentation
• Assessing Genetically Modified Food Crops Altered for Improved Nutritional Quality
• Bioanalytical Methods and Tools for Small Grains Breeding
• Comparative Plant Genomics
• Dissecting Complex Traits in Maize by Applying Genomics, Bioinformatics, and Genetic Resources
• Genomic Approaches to Improving Transport and Detoxification of Selected Mineral Elements in Crop Plants
• Genomics Approaches for Improving Nutritional Quality of Food Crop Species
• Understanding Soil-Plant-Human/animal Food Systems and Nutrient Bioavailability to Improve Human Health