College of Agriculture invests in students’ future with trio of renovated research labs

By Charlie Morrison

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – The Tennessee State University College of Agriculture (TSUAg) recently marked the reopening of three renovated research laboratories with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Farrell-Westbrook Agricultural Complex. TSU interim President Dwayne Tucker and Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture Charlie Hatcher joined TSUAg Dean Dr. Chandra Reddy and other dignitaries for the ceremonial ribbon-cutting.

TSU student researcher Katrina Seamen addresses the group on graduate and undergraduate students research at the College of Agriculture.

The renovation and reopening of the Legume Molecular Genetics Laboratory, the Urban Forest Ecosystems Laboratory, and the Forest Ecology Laboratory bring the College of Agriculture’s total to 37 active research labs.

“The agriculture and forestry industry is the number one industry in the state of Tennessee,” Commissioner Hatcher said during the event. “And the very future of the agriculture and forestry industry depends on facilities like this; it depends upon the lab directors and students who work in facilities like this.”

The ceremony included guided tours of the newly renovated labs led by students and faculty. Dr. Sarah Neumann, who will lead the Forest Ecology Laboratory, along with Dr. Yujuan Chen of the Urban Forest Ecosystems Lab and Dr. Sonali Roy of the Legume Molecular Genetics Lab, introduced their spaces. Undergraduate and graduate students showcased research projects, demonstrated instrumentation, and led hands-on demonstrations, with Hatcher and President Tucker joining in.

Undergraduate student Janae Terrell, left, who is a Legume Molecular Genetics Lab researcher, shows President Tucker hands on demonstration of using a pipette to move a liquid sample.

“We now have more capacity to teach,” said Dr. Roy. “The new laboratories expand our training outreach, and we can bring more students into the process of doing real-world research. But just being able to do independent research with specialized equipment is also a huge plus.”

Following the tours, attendees gathered on the front lawn of the Farrell-Westbrook building for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Dr. Reddy introduced the guest speakers and spoke about the critical role of agricultural research.

“Crops like corn are producing 10 times more yield than they did at the beginning of the 20th century, and that did not happen magically,” said Dean Reddy. “It happened because of a lot of research conducted in this country and around the world in research labs like the ones you just toured.”

Junior agricultural science majors Sidney Wyche, left, and Todd Stansberry are among the student researchers set to benefit from the reopening of the three renovated laboratory facilities.

“These new laboratories are more than just modern spaces; they are a symbol of our ambition, a testament to our resilience, and a platform for the future,” President Tucker said. “They will empower our faculty, inspire our students, and help us tackle the most urgent issues in agriculture, sustainability, and community well-being.”

For the students gaining new opportunities through these updated facilities, the moment was significant.

“It’s really helpful to have that space,” said Sydney Wyche, a junior agricultural science major working in Dr. Chen’s Urban Forest Ecosystems Lab. “And it was really cool to see everybody come out and see our new facility and how we’re utilizing that space.”

Graduate student Diksha Tamang using new equipment in one of the three renovated labs in the Farrell-Westbrook Agricultural Complex.

TSU student Todd Stansberry, a junior studying agricultural science, said he was excited about the momentous occasion and the outpouring of support.

“I’m really proud of us. To see everyone here, to celebrate, to have a big event is a big deal,” Stansberry said. “This is a step forward.”

To learn more about the College of Agriculture, visit www.tnstate.edu/agriculture.