Bonnie Ownley, PhD
Professor & Assistant Department Head
University of Tennessee
Knoxville, Tennessee, United States
Kimberly D. Gwinn, PhD
Professor
University of Tennessee
Knoxville, Tennessee, United States
Joseph Donaldson
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
Zane Smith
University of Tennessee
Knoxville, Tennessee, United States
Aaron Onufrak
University of Tennessee
Knoxville, Tennessee, United States
Kelsey Coffman
University of Tennessee
Knoxville, Tennessee, United States
Melissa Cregger
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Oak Ridge, Tennessee, United States
Margaret Staton
University of Tennessee, Entomology and Plant Pathology Department
Knoxville, Tennessee, United States
Rebecca Trout Fryxell
University of Tennessee
Knoxville, Tennessee, United States
Scott Emrich, PhD
Associate Professor
University of Tennessee
Knoxville, Tennessee, United States
Denita Hadziabdic, PhD
Associate Professor
University of Tennessee, Entomology and Plant Pathology Department
Knoxville, Tennessee, United States
Professionals trained in bioinformatics, genetics, and genomic (BiGG) sciences are critical if grand challenges in food, agriculture and environmental sciences are to be met. To equip students with these skills, interdisciplinary collaboration and hands-on experiences are essential; however, demand for those fully trained in the BiGG sciences greatly outweighs supply, so there is a critical need for trained professionals. The Explore BiGG Data Research and Extension Experience for Undergraduates provides research, mentoring, communication, career development, and leadership development for undergraduates to broaden their understanding of BiGG sciences. Explore BiGG Data was presented as virtual (2 years) and onsite (3 years) summer programs. Both quantitative (Student Assessment of Learning Gains and 21st Century Skills surveys) and qualitative data (interviews) were collected over the 5-year period and evaluated by an independent evaluator. Graduate students and faculty served as mentors. Hands-on research experiences and mentoring from women leaders were identified as keys to successful academic and career achievements. Onsite participants reported greater satisfaction with these components than virtual participants. Both groups reported significant learning gains. Most participants in the Explore BiGG Data program attended or plan to attend graduate school; those currently employed work in related fields. Explore BiGG Data programming worked as designed, and the program’s research, mentoring, and protean career designs can serve as a model for plant pathology programs.