We provide training on the circular economy and digitalization methods to undergraduate students in the US who are interested in food systems and are studying any discipline. A 10-week curriculum on circular economy and Industry 4.0 tools are covered in the weekly training sessions. We organize three field trips to circular businesses on food processing, dairy systems, and waste management facilities.

To facilitate convergent collaborations, we pair each student with a research mentor faculty member from a range of food systems domains. During the course of the summer, students spend over 30 hours conducting research with their mentors. The 2024 term will have 10 mentors who are all from different food systems disciplines to provide research guidance and distinct projects in food systems. Research results are presented in a final meeting.

As part of the University of Florida’s flagship “Summer Undergraduate Research at Florida (SURF)” program, students also participate in professional development and cultural exchange activities. Participants in the program attend weekly professional development luncheons, weekend trips, and excursions in Florida as part of the program. A visit to the NASA Kennedy Space Center, historic Saint Augustine and its beaches, Florida springs, and so on are some examples.