{"id":208992,"date":"2024-01-30T07:35:19","date_gmt":"2024-01-30T12:35:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/?p=208992"},"modified":"2024-01-29T15:08:34","modified_gmt":"2024-01-29T20:08:34","slug":"at-uconn-cahnr-were-more-than-ag","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/2024\/01\/at-uconn-cahnr-were-more-than-ag\/","title":{"rendered":"At UConn CAHNR, We\u2019re More Than Ag"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

In 2014, something monumental happened at the University of Connecticut\u2019s College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources<\/a> (CAHNR). The College changed its name. Again.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

To commemorate the 10th<\/sup> anniversary of \u201cHealth\u201d being added to its name, CAHNR is kicking off a year-long celebration of health-related research, education, and extension outreach taking place across the College.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"CAHNR<\/p>\r\n

\u201cSince we are the foundation of the original Storrs Agricultural College established in 1881, it makes sense that we would have been called many things over the years,\u201d says Indrajeet Chaubey, the 13th<\/sup> Dean of the College. \u201cOur current name reflects the breadth and diversity of research, academic offerings, and extension engagement taking place in CAHNR. Health is a huge part of that work, and I\u2019m excited to showcase our faculty, students, staff, and alumni successes throughout the year.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

History of Health<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

While \u201cHealth\u201d may have only been added to the College\u2019s name a decade ago, it has been a part of its mission and offerings for much longer.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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Department Head Emeritus Larry Silbart works in a lab in the Department of Allied Health Sciences.<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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Richard Clark, professor emeritus of nutritional sciences, in the lab with graduate students.<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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Cristina Col\u00f3n-Semenza works with a physical therapy patient in the early 2000s.<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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Researchers from the Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science look at early DNA images.<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Going way, way back, the College has long focused on the connection between animal diseases and humans. The Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science<\/a>, previously called the Department of Animal Diseases, first originated in 1923 as a small group of pathologists, veterinarians, and microbiologists. While the department\u2019s original mission was to preserve livestock, ensuring public health has become a greater focus. The home of the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (CVMDL)<\/a>, the department works with state and federal agencies, local vets, and the public to help monitor the spread of disease between humans and animals. Faculty have received almost $19 million in research funding over the last five years to support this work. From identifying invasive tick species<\/a> to shedding light on walking pneumonia for vaccine development<\/a>, the department\u2019s unique expertise at the intersection of human and animal health has long strengthened CAHNR\u2019s ability to improve quality of life for residents of the state.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The Department of Nutritional Sciences<\/a> has a distinguished record of teaching, research, and community engagement as well. Established in 1970 as one of CAHNR\u2019s first departments entirely dedicated to human health, Nutritional Sciences marked its 50th<\/sup> anniversary with virtual celebrations in the fall of 2020. Ranked the 9th<\/sup> best program in the country for undergraduate studies in nutritional sciences, the department has won an impressive $8 million in research funding over the last five years. Notable work includes comprehensive studies on the health benefits of eggs<\/a>, the use of nanotechnology for a healthier, shelf-stable saturated fat alternative<\/a>, and recommendations for weight loss interventions to address obesity disparities in Black communities<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

In 2006, the Department of Allied Health Sciences<\/a> was formed and joined CAHNR. Previously the School of Allied Health, the department has experienced significant growth in all areas of UConn\u2019s tripartite mission over the last 17 years. Serving only around 130 undergraduate and graduate students in the early 2000s, the allied health sciences program is now home to approximately 800 Huskies. Focusing primarily on professional training, the Department of Allied Health Sciences expanded their offerings to include a full four-year degree option at UConn Waterbury in the fall of 2020. The department is full of heavy-hitters in the field of research as well, having won over $28 million in funding in the last five years. Notable work includes improving intervention outcomes<\/a> for people who use drugs and are at high risk for HIV infection, studies on the impact of environment on cardiometabolic diseases<\/a>, and a review of abortion disinformation on social media<\/a> after the overturning of Roe v. Wade.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The most recent department to be added, the Department of Kinesiology<\/a> joined CAHNR in 2014 to more closely align its research, teaching, and community engagement mission with its administrative home. Since the move, the department has continued to thrive, with almost $17 million in research funding in the last five years. Kinesiology faculty study a wide variety of health-related topics \u2013 from shedding light on runner\u2019s knee<\/a> to studying Parkinson\u2019s disease in Hispanic communities<\/a>. Home to the 2nd<\/sup> ranked doctoral program in the country, the department continues to have an impact for students and patients around the world.<\/p>\r\n\r\n