By Andi Anderson
Michigan State University (MSU) AgBioResearch has selected three research projects for funding through its newly launched Growing Healthy Together Initiative, a program designed to strengthen connections between agriculture, food systems, health, and community well-being.
The initiative encourages scientists and partners from multiple disciplines to work together on solving complex challenges that affect people, agriculture, and the environment. Each selected project will receive $100,000 in funding over the next two years.
One project is being led by Wei Liao, Ph.D., of the MSU Department of Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering. The research focuses on converting hospital food waste into useful resources for urban agriculture. Working with Henry Ford Health, the project will explore how nutrient-rich byproducts from processed food waste can be safely used to support food production in urban communities while reducing environmental impacts.
A second project, led by Jenifer Fenton, Ph.D., of the MSU Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, aims to inspire future careers in food, agriculture, nutrition, and healthcare. The initiative will use the MSU Tollgate Farm and Education Center as a learning environment where K–8 students from Southwest Detroit can explore sustainable agriculture, healthy food systems, and medical career pathways. The program will connect students with agricultural experts, nutrition specialists, and healthcare professionals.
The third project is led by Chunqi Qian, Ph.D., of the MSU Department of Radiology. This research seeks to create a new use for Michigan’s surplus milk by developing natural milk-based extracts that may help address Alzheimer's disease and related dementia. The project aims to improve brain health while creating new market opportunities for dairy farmers.
Kang Xia, Ph.D., Associate Director of MSU AgBioResearch, highlighted the importance of collaboration in solving major challenges.
She said, “MSU scientists never cease to impress me with the ideas they bring to the table to find solutions to pressing needs in areas related to food, health and the environment. What these projects show is how these systems are connected, and how the problems being experienced by each of them can be addressed simultaneously through collaborative, cross-disciplinary research. This work gets at the heart of MSU’s land-grant identity and is well aligned with USDA priorities. I’m so excited to see how Michiganders will benefit from it.”
The initiative also reflects the growing partnership between Michigan State University and Henry Ford Health.
Scott Dulchavsky, M.D., Ph.D., CEO of the Henry Ford Innovation Institute and Surgeon-in-Chief at Henry Ford Health, emphasized the value of the collaboration, stating, "It's exciting to see the truly innovative collaborations taking place between MSU and Henry Ford Health through these projects. These proposals serve as just another example of the impact that's coming from Henry Ford + MSU Health Sciences, which was designed to grow the health of our state and all those living it. When world-class institutions come together like this to conduct interdisciplinary research that solves today's and tomorrow's problems, we as a state are better for it."
The Growing Healthy Together Initiative focuses on improving food access, environmental sustainability, climate resilience, agriculture, and public health. Through innovative research and collaboration, these projects aim to deliver long-term benefits for Michigan communities while supporting the future of agriculture and health sciences.
Photo Credit: michigan-state-university-msu
Categories: Michigan, Rural Lifestyle