2012 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416): Provide a faculty-mentored research experience for undergraduates on a research-intensive public university campus. Expose students to a wide variety of scientific research fields, with an emphasis on life science related research. 1b.Approach (from AD-416): Work in cooperation with the University of Missouri Office of Undergraduate Research. Allow student from Lincoln University to work full-time as a summer intern on a faculty-mentored research project for eight weeks, participate in independent research projects, as well as educational and community-building activities. 3.Progress Report: The intent of the objective is to support an undergraduate student from Lincoln University, an 1890’s university, as a summer undergraduate research intern at the University of Missouri, a neighboring land grant university. Student interviews were conducted and a student was selected and enrolled in the undergraduate research program. The research component consisted of developing a leaf consumption bioassay to quantitate the damage to cabbage plants caused by the cabbage looper and to use that bioassay to measure the effectiveness of beneficial agents to reduce plant damage. The bioassay will be used to evaluate selected strains of a predatory insect and baculoviruses which relates to the parent project objective 3 “In partnership with small and urban vegetable growers, develop novel beneficial insect and baculovirus delivery systems for application, using such strategies as chemical attractants, artificial diets, and release mechanisms.”