The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa has received a $2 million award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to lead a multi-institutional effort to develop artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled tools that can help detect environmental threats to food production systems before they become major problems. This $4 million NSF EPSCoR Track II Focused EPSCoR Collaboration (FEC) award, co-led with the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, aims to identify and monitor potential risks to aquaculture, livestock, and agricultural systems using AI, environmental sampling, advanced genetic analysis, and high-resolution chemical analysis.
Team of experts to cross variety of fields
This collaborative project will integrate AI with environmental sampling, advanced genetic analysis, and high-resolution chemical analysis to identify and monitor potential risks in aquaculture, livestock, and agricultural systems. Led by Principal Investigator Tao Yan, director of the Water Resources Research Center (WRRC), the initiative brings together an interdisciplinary team from various UH departments and colleges. The goal is to develop early-warning technologies for microbial pathogens and chemical contaminants, thereby enhancing animal health, food safety, and economic sustainability for both Hawaiʻi and Nebraska.
Creating a proactive approach
The project aims to revolutionize food safety by shifting from reactive monitoring to a proactive approach. Researchers will develop new AI models capable of continuously analyzing complex biological and chemical data, including information from metagenomics and high-resolution mass spectrometry. These advanced technologies will be tested in real-world aquaculture and beef cattle production systems to improve food safety, protect animal health, and increase the resilience of food production systems. Additionally, the collaboration will support STEM education and workforce development, offering research opportunities to junior faculty, students, and K–12 participants, while fostering long-term partnerships in AI and biotechnology.
