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ÍƼöÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ our College

A founding college of the University, we have a long tradition of excellence in teaching, research and engagement programs that benefit the health and economic vitality of Nevada. We offer programs in:

• agriculture, horticulture, rangeland & veterinary sciences
• biochemistry & molecular biology
• children, youth & families
• community & economic development
• health & nutrition
• natural resources & environmental science

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Will work for gluten-free beer

Researchers’ attention turns to sorghum for brewing

Emma Schmitz, Edible Reno-Tahoe

A bouquet of some of the specialty grain sorghum varieties being developed in Yerka’s breeding program. Photo by Melinda Yerka.

Bread, cereal, spaghetti, snack bars. What do these food items have in common? Grain, which typically constitutes a nightmare for gluten-sensitive eaters. Thankfully, modern food scientists have discovered many gluten-free substitutes that commonly have a base of sorghum, a naturally gluten-free variety of grain from the grass family. And while parts of the world such as Asia have a long history of using sorghum for spirits, American brewers are just getting started with this consumer-friendly base for making 100% gluten-free beer.

The absence of gluten in sorghum is one of many reasons to use it instead of barley. Growers can produce more of the grassy grain per acre compared to barley fields while using less water than corn, and beef cattle can feed on the leftover stalks after harvest during the winter. The health and sustainability benefits of sorghum are why University researchers Melinda Yerka, an assistant professor, and John Baggett, a soon-to-graduate biochemistry Ph.D. candidate and research assistant, started the College's sorghum-breeding program.

The researchers have identified a specific hybrid that tastes better than other varieties — a very important aspect of beer-making. Research in the next year or two will hopefully reveal why that is. Consumers should be able to taste test the University-grown sorghum at The Depot Craft Brewery and Distillery in Reno within the next few years.

Improving health by studying gut bacteria

Assistant Professor Steven Frese is conducting research on gut microbiomes

Hannah Alfaro

Steven Frese is researching bacteria in human guts to inform healthier diets. Photo by Robert Moore.

Steven Frese, a new assistant professor for the University is researching how the relationship between humans and the microbes in their gut can give insight into digestion, health, infections and nutrition.

Frese is studying how diet affects the interactions between humans and bacteria, specifically in the gut microbiome, which is the bacteria, viruses, protozoa and fungi, as well as their collective genetic material, present in the gastrointestinal tract. As part of the College's Department of Nutrition, Frese’s goal is to develop technology and therapies that can improve health and nutrition, and bring these discoveries and innovations to practice in the health care and food industry.

Frese's recent findings include that:

• In the United States, Bifidobacterium bacteria was less abundant in infants than expected.
• Breastfeeding promotes the abundance of Bifidobacterium in the infant gut microbiome.
• Infants with higher levels of Bifidobacterium had lower levels of antibiotic resistance genes in their microbiome.
• Bifidobacterium shapes the development of the immune system and reduces inflammation during an important developmental window.
• Preterm infants who received the probiotic B. infantis EVC001:
  • Had reduced risk for disease and reduced inflammation in the gut.
  • Developed gut microbiomes similar to those found in healthy full-term babies.
  • Were substantially better off.

4-H helps schools teach STEAM, civic engagement, and health and nutrition

Tiffany Kozsan

4-H youth at the Women and Children’s Center of the Sierra practice listening as they do a directed draw of a reindeer. Photo by Pam Russell, Women's Center of the Sierra.

In recent years, Title I schools in Nevada have made a special effort to enhance student achievements in reading and math. As a result, not as much emphasis is placed on STEAM, (science, technology, engineering, art and math), civic engagement, and health and nutrition. To help support the schools and bridge the gap in education, Extension’s 4-H Youth Development Program has partnered with several school districts to bring additional educational opportunities to students through the 4-H AfterSchool Program.

New doctoral program launches in natural resources & environmental science

University responds to growing need for more advanced science and skills to manage natural resources and environmental challenges

Claudene Wharton

The new Doctoral Program in Natural Resources & Environmental Science will prepare graduates to help inform management of valuable natural resources, such as this Sierra Nevada meadow. Photo by C.C. Reed.

Jonathan Greenberg.

Natural resource management and environmental science are fundamental to the production of food, fuel and fiber, as well as guaranteeing water and air quality, and for the sustainability of ecosystems. Yet, in Nevada, there has been no doctoral degree program to provide the state with the type of advanced knowledge, research and skills needed to help address the complex challenges the state faces in balancing uses of and managing important resources such as water, forests, wildlife and other Great Basin ecosystems. Until now.

This fall, our College will launch the University's new Doctoral Program in Natural Resources & Environmental Science. The program is designed to train experts in "translational science," which moves beyond interdisciplinary, cross-cutting research to include stakeholders and land managers throughout the entire research process – from project initiation, through publication of the research, and into the communication of findings to the nonacademic community to have immediate and lasting impact in the real world.

"We developed the Ph.D. program with the goal of preparing students to address critical regional and global needs in applied natural resource ecology and management, as well as more broadly in the field of environmental science," said Jonathan Greenberg, associate professor in the department, and the program’s director. "We also wanted to develop a program that represents the full diversity and cross-cutting nature of the research being performed by faculty within the department."

Extension volunteers are an integral part of the team

Volunteer Development Coordinator Cheryl Coleman brings her expertise to Extension

Hannah Alfaro

Cheryl Coleman.

Extension recently welcomed Cheryl Coleman to the Clark County - Las Vegas office as the volunteer development coordinator.

Coleman is working to innovate Extension’s volunteer management system, including policies, best practices and procedures, that will be consistent across programs and include a focus on diversity management and developing and engaging volunteers in rural areas. The system will help Extension programs, including and , with volunteer management practices while also giving volunteers the opportunity to pursue their own interests in a healthy and fun environment.

Coleman is writing a standard operating procedures manual for faculty and staff who work with volunteers. The manual will identify where volunteer management could be strengthened, inform faculty and staff on volunteer management-related issues, and ensure that all volunteer-related programs are adhering to University and national guidelines.