ARD Research Symposium Brings Researchers Together, Inspires Collaboration

LU agriculture student Layla White practices her research poster presentation before the student judging event at the 2024 ARD Research Symposium.

Lincoln University of Missouri (LU) students and faculty will travel to New Orleans in March for the 2026 Association of 1890 Research Directors (ARD) Research Symposium.

The ARD Research Symposium — held every two years — is a forum for researchers from 1890 institutions to connect, network and showcase research breakthroughs and discoveries. The event is scheduled for March 28-31 and is sponsored by USDA-NIFA Evans-Allen funding.

Associate Director of Research Dr. Tunsisa Hurisso said the symposium is an important and valuable opportunity for researchers to come together and build partnerships.

“The way we do research right now, everybody is in a silo," Hurisso said. "They’re doing their own stuff. We don’t know what Alabama or Tuskegee or Langston are doing. So, this symposium gives the opportunity for people to collaborate for a greater impact.”

LU agriculture students (from left to right) MyRiah McCabe, Layla White and Abby Sweezer swept the Agriculture Education section of the Undergraduate Poster competition at the 2024 ARD Research Symposium.

He explained that there are often regional issues that institutions and researchers can’t tackle alone. Sharing knowledge at symposiums and similar events offers a chance to face those challenges together.

Hurisso added that the symposium also gives Lincoln a chance to display its unique research programs and resources. He pointed to the university’s aquaculture program, which possesses one of the largest aquaculture facilities in Missouri, as well as the Alan T. Busby Farm, which is one of the largest organic research farms in the Midwest.

These assets help Lincoln form partnerships with other institutions and take the lead on collaborative research projects.

At its core, Lincoln’s research is designed to serve its stakeholders — small, underserved Missouri farmers. By elevating its research through collaboration, Lincoln can more effectively serve those stakeholders, gathering the best practices and latest knowledge from across the nation and focusing those resources on solutions — helping growers make informed and forward-looking decisions to maintain productivity and profitability.

Dozens of Lincoln faculty and students attended the 2024 ARD Research Symposium, showcasing the university’s latest breakthroughs and connecting with researchers from other universities.

“To solve problems for American farmers, solutions have to be co-created in collaboration with stakeholders, tested and proven effective in a crop-by-crop and state-by-state basis,” Hurisso said.

In pursuit of this goal, Hurisso has encouraged LU faculty, students and postdocs with active research projects to attend the symposium and give poster and/or oral presentations.

Travel costs will be fully covered for those who present. Presentation topics include:

• Agricultural Systems and Technology
• Animal Health & Production and Animal Products
• Bioenergy, Natural Resources and Environment
• Family, Youth, Community and Economic Development
• Food Safety, Nutrition and Health
• Plant Health & Production and Plant Products

The deadline for early registration and abstract submission is Nov. 17, so Hurisso has asked for those interested to submit their abstracts by Oct. 20.

Click here to view the ARD Symposium Application Guidelines.

Questions or submissions can be directed to Dr. Hurisso at HurissoT@lincolnu.edu.