Vegetable Genomics
|
Alternative Agriculture
|
Breeding Greenhouse Tomatoes
|
Aquaculture
|
Molecular Microbial Ecology of Thermophilic Anaerobic Digestion
|
Global Climate Change
|
Soil Remediation
|
The future of US vegetable production depends on the continued genetic improvement and development of new superior cultivars. 
Alternative agriculture products and practices such as organic farming and hydroponic systems are an important component in North American agriculture. 
Greenhouse tomato production represents 17% of the total tomato production in the US and a 30-40% increase is expected in the future. 
Aquaculture (the farming of aquatic organisms) has recently developed into the fastest growing segment of agriculture in the United States. 
Anaerobic digesters are waste treatment systems that utilize anaerobic decomposition to minimize the environmental impact of these wastes and to produce renewable bioenergy. 
Environmental resources in West Virginia are important sources of economic revenue for the state. 
Each year in West Virginia, thousands of acres of forests are disturbed through the processes of logging, development, and extractive industries such as coal and natural gas. 
"The Gus R. Douglass Land-Grant Institute, at WVSU, conducts research that is highly applicable and responsive to societal and environmental needs through its Agriculture & Environmental Research Station. A competitive portfolio of research programs, driven by national and state agendas has been established at the Institute by high caliber research faculty, scientists, and staff. Building of research capacity at the Institute has been an ongoing event since re-inception of land-grant status at the University. Overall advancement of research is greatly enhanced by the establishment of numerous collaborations with other partnering institutions of higher education, governmental agencies, private enterprises, and key stakeholders."
Dr. Ulises Toledo
Associate Dean and Director of Business and Finance,
Interim Associate Research Director
Our Strategy for Research
Our strategy for research at West Virginia State University is to aspire to be the best at what we undertake. The research endeavor supports both USDA Land-Grant and other university research priorities such as:
- Developing a USDA Center of Excellence in Biotechnology and Renewable Resources
- Interdisciplinary collaborations
- Enabling areas of research such as crop genetics and genomics
We build on our strengths when developing programs; supporting interdisciplinary and community programming; developing human capital and acquiring related supporting resources. The research program at West Virginia State University is committed to developing new knowledge; and engages in technology transfer and economic development activities that benefi t the Kanawha Valley, West Virginia, the Mid-Atlantic Region, national, and international constituents.
