CONGRESSMAN RUBÉN HINOJOSA ANNOUNCES $295,000 USDA GRANT AWARDED TO UTPA

Congressman Rubén Hinojosa (D-TX-15) announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) awarded a grant of $295,000 to the University of Texas-Pan American (UTPA) for a continuing experimental learning program for students at UTPA who will research and study food safety and security.

The scientific background and training will involve the study and research of citrus greening, a disease which affects local citrus, that scientists believe was brought to parts the Rio Grande Valley from another state.  This program will also include examining the nutritional quality of food from local farmers markets as compared to larger food suppliers.

"These types of science programs are so important because they allow our local students to study and research on a broader level that deals specifically with their surrounding communities," said U.S. Rep. Hinojosa.  "Many of the federally funded science programs are also geared towards ensuring diversity in the science career field."

Project director at UTPA'S biology department Michael Persans will oversee at least 4 students a year for this project.  The program's focus is for students who have a science background. The studies will include bio chemistry, cell biology and molecular biology.  Many of the students will pursue careers in Agricultural Sciences, and some will continue to wor