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Agricultural Telecommunications 2002

Proposal 4.12 / 190180033

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Project Summary:

Title of Project:	Tri-State Aquaculture Outreach Using Technology
Project Director:	Gordon Mengel
Applicant Organization:	Kentucky State University

Summary:

A tri-state aquaculture outreach team (TROUT) 
will be organized to address the need of teacher 
training for the utilization of aquaculture in 
the classroom. The goal of the initiative is to 
provide a mechanism for university aquaculture 
specialists to provide the support and training 
to secondary teachers in remote locations. 
Curriculum will be developed and taught using 
distance technology to selected teachers 
incorporating aquaculture in their classrooms. 
Students will benefit from their exposure to 
aquaculture in the classroom by enhancing their 
knowledge of agriculture and the scientific 
method. This, in turn, will help students to 
identify career opportunities in the food and 
agriculture sector.

Authorized Organizational Representative:

Name:	Ken Miller
Email:	kmiller@gwmail.kysu.edu
Phone Number:	502.597.6520
FAX Number:	502.597.6995
Address:	Kentucky State University Hume Hall, Suite 102 Frankfort, KY 40601

IRS Number:	61-1099712
Congressional District Number:	6th
Period of Proposed Project Dates	2002/09/01 to 2003/08/31

Principal Investigator / Project Director #1:

Name:	Gordon Mengel
Email:	gmengel@dcr.net
Phone Number:	502- 597-8130
FAX Number:	502-597-8118
Address:	Aquaculture Research Center Kentucky State University Frankfort, KY 40601

Curriculum Vitae:

Gordon J. Mengel
 
Education:
M.Sc. 1997. Biological Sciences, State 
University of New York, Brockport, NY
Thesis: Potential and Success in Spring 1994 of 
Walleye Spawning in the Salmon River,
Tyendinaga Territory, Ontario, Canada
 
B.A. 1976. Biology. State University of New 
York, Oswego, NY.
 
New York State Provisional Teaching Certification 
for Middle and Secondary School Science.
 1977. Certified in Biology, Chemistry, Earth 
Science, and General Science.
 
Professional Experience:
 
2000-Present: State Aquaculture Educator, 
Kentucky State University. International
aquaculture development consultant (FAO and US 
Peace Corps).
 
1995-2000. Special Projects Director. 
Aquaculture Education. National Council for
 Agriculture Education, Alexandria, Virginia.
 
1992-1995. Graduate Research 
Assistant/Aquaculture Technician. Research 
Foundation. 
 State University of New York. Brockport, NY.
 
1983-1991. Project Manager/Technical Advisor, 
Government of Zaire/US Peace Corps/USAID 
Family Fish culture Project. Democratic Republic 
of Congo.
 
1979-1983. Peace Corps Volunteer/Extension 
Agent/Trainer/Technical Advisor, Government
 of Zaire/US Peace Corps/USAID Family Fish 
culture Project. US Peace Corps.
 Zaire. Democratic Republic of Congo.
 
1977-1979. High School General Science and 
Advanced Placement biology Teacher. 
Campbell County High School. Alexandria, KY.
 
Other Experience:
 
Mr. Mengel has served as Aquaculture Educator at 
both the national and state levels.
 
Mr. Mengel has over 20 years experience in 
aquaculture development, having worked and 
consulted extensively in Central Africa, Canada, 
and the U.S.
 
Mr. Mengel has over 20 years experience in 
project management, having managed over 
$3 million in grant funds from USAID and over $1 
million from USDA.

Principal Investigator / Project Director #2:

Name:	Kenneth J. Semmens
Email:	Ken.Semmens@mail.wvu.edu
Phone Number:	304 293-6131 x 4211
FAX Number:	304 293-6954
Address:	P.O. Box 6108 Morgantown, WV 26506-6108

Curriculum Vitae:

KENNETH J. SEMMENS
  
 
EDUCATION:
 
Auburn University, Ph. D. in Fisheries. 1982-
1986. 
Auburn University, M.S. in Fisheries. 1979 – 
1982. 
University of Washington, B.S. in Fisheries. 
1976- 1978.
Pennsylvania State University, Biology Major. 
1974-1976.
Warren Area High School, Graduate. Warren PA. 
1974
 
  
WORK EXPERIENCE:
 
 Extension Specialist – Aquaculture, West 
Virginia University. Morgantown, WV.
 2/99-Present.
Extension (70%) Research (30%) Principal 
Investigator of the Aquaculture Food and 
Marketing 
Development Project ($2 million project).
 
 Fish Farm Manager, Owen and Williams Fish Farm, 
Inc. Newton, Georgia . 6/95-7/98
 
Managed facility (42 ponds, 250 surface acres) 
for production of food fish and 
fingerling catfish, sunfish, bass, golden shiners,
goldfish, paddlefish, and grow-out of triploid
 grass carp. 
 
 Fish Farm Manager, Pineland Plantation, Newton, 
Georgia.2/87-6/95
Design, construct, and manage 250-acre fish farm 
complete with hatchery. Primary 
responsibility for administering annual 
operations budget of 800M. 
 
 Fish Culturist, Edgar Farmer and Sons, Inc. 
Dumas, AR. 1/84-1/86
Management of hatchery and ponds (100 ac.) to 
produce fingerling catfish,
 paddlefish, and Chinese carp. 
 
 Graduate Research Assistant, Department of 
Fisheries, Auburn University, AL 6/79-12/83
 
 Fisheries Biologist, Fisheries Res. Institute, 
Univ. of Washington, Seattle, WA.
 9/78-11/78
Sampled catch on first Korean-American joint 
venture in Alaska.
 
 Student Helper, Fisheries Res. Institute, 
University of Washington, Seattle, WA.
 12/77-8/78
Assist in baseline survey in bays of Kodiak 
Island, Alaska
 
 Fisheries Biologist, Fisheries Res. Institute, 
University of Washington, Seattle, WA.
 6/77-9/77
 Supervised sampling of catch on Japanese mother 
ship in Bering Sea. 
 
ORGANIZATIONS:
 Aquaculture Advisory Committee, Bluefield 
State College
 Advisor to MA & PA Cooperative Board of 
Directors
 Advisor to West Virginia Aquaculture 
Association. 
 Member NRAC Technical/Industry Advisory 
Council, 1/1/00 – 12/31/03
 SRAC Steering Committee on “Management of 
Phytoplankton” 1997 - 1999.
 SRAC Steering Committee on “Management 
of Aquaculture Effluents” 1997- 1999. 
 SRAC Steering Committee on Publications, 
Videos, and Computer Software 1994-1999. 
 SRAC Industry Advisory Board 1991-92, 
1995-1999.
 University of Georgia Agricultural 
Experiment Stations, Research Advisory Board 
1992-95.
 Board of Directors, Florida Aquaculture 
Processors Cooperative 1990-93.
 National Paddlefish and Sturgeon Steering 
Committee 1992.
 Aquaculture Development Commission for 
the State of Georgia 1988-96.
 Member, American Fisheries Society since 
1975.
 President, Georgia Aquaculture 
Association, 1990.
 President, American Fisheries Society, 
Auburn Student Chapter. 1979-80.
 President, Fisheries Club, University of 
Washington. 1977-1978.
 President, Penn. State Biological 
Society. PSU 1975-1976.
 
 
PUBLICATIONS:
 
Davalos, J, J. Robinson, V. Avinash, R. Viadero, 
K. Semmens, J. Plunkett 2001. Honeycomb 
Fiber Reinforced Polymer Sandwich Panels for Fish 
Culture Tanks. 
The 16th Annual Technical Conference by the 
American Society for Composites (ASC-16), 
Blacksburg, VA, September 9-12, 2001.
 
San, Nu Nu, Dan Miller, Gerard D’Souza, Dennis K. 
Smith, and Ken Semmens, 2001. 
West Virginia Trout Enterprise Budgets. Version 
2.0. West Virginia University Extension
 Service. Pub. # AQ01-1.
 
Miyazaki, T., W. A. Rogers and K. J. Semmens. 
1988. Gastro-intestinal histopathology
 of paddlefish, Polyodon spathula (Walbaum), 
infected with juvenile Hysterothylacium 
dollfusi Schmidt, Leiby, & Kritsky, 1974.
 J. Fish Diseases 11(3): 245-250.
 
Yeager, Bruce L. and Kenneth J. Semmens. 1987. 
Early Development of the Blue Sucker,
 Cycleptus elongatus. Copeia (2) 245-250.
 
Semmens, K. J. and W. L. Shelton. 1986. 
Opportunities in Paddlefish Aquaculture. 
in J. G. Dillard, L. K. Graham, and T. R. 
Russell, editors. The Paddlefish: Status, 
Management,
 and Propagation.
 North Central Division, American Fisheries 
Society, Special Publication No. 7
 
Semmens, K. J. 1985. Induced Spawning of the 
Blue Sucker. Progressive Fish Culturist,
 Vol. 47:2 (119-120). 
 
Shelton, William L., Frank H. Meriwether, Kenneth 
J. Semmens, and Wallace E. Calhoun.
 1983. Progeny Sex Ratios from Intraspecific 
Pair Spawnings of Tilapia aurea
 and T. nilotica. International Symposium on 
Tilapia in Aquaculture, Tel Aviv, Israel.

Principal Investigator / Project Director #3:

Name:	Laura G Tiu
Email:	tiu.2@osu.edu
Phone Number:	740-289-2071
FAX Number:	740-289-4591
Address:	Ohio State University South Centers at Piketon 1864 Shyville Rd. Piketon, OH 45690

Curriculum Vitae:

LAURA GOODGAME TIU
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY SOUTH CENTERS AT PIKETON
1864 SHYVILLE ROAD
PIKETON, OH 45661-9749
740-289-2071 (phone)
tiu.2@osu.edu
 
EDUCATION
2000-present Ph.D. student, Human and 
Community Resource Development, Ohio State
 University 
1988 - 1990 M.S. Wildlife Ecology, 
Mississippi State University
1982 - 1986 B.S. Biology, Silliman 
University, Dumaguete City, Philippines
 
 
 
EMPLOYMENT AND PROFESSIONAL HISTORY
9/98 – Present Research and Extension Associate, 
Ohio State University
 
Responsibilities: Provide leadership and seek 
external funding for the development of
 Aquaculture in Ohio. Seek external funding to 
conduct applied research beneficial 
to the aquaculture industry.
 Work with producer associations to assess the 
current status and needs of Ohio’s 
aquaculture industry. 
Conduct extension/demonstration research projects 
at the Piketon Research and 
Extension Centers.
 Develop and conduct entry-level and advanced 
workshops, and provide education and 
training to people 
interested in exploring aquaculture. Engage 
State Extension Agents and Vocational
 Educational Teachers to help them 
understand aquaculture, disseminate information, 
and organize educational opportunities. 
 Develop partnerships with researchers and other 
state agencies having a stake in the
 development of aquaculture in Ohio. Serve as 
State Aquaculture Coordinator. Represent 
Ohio Aquaculture at local, 
regional and international conferences.
 
10/92 – 7/98 Co-Investigator for Aquaculture, 
Kentucky State University
 
Responsibilities: Assist Principal Investigator 
in all aspects of fish and crustacean
 nutrition research. Conduct research in 
recirculating indoor aquarium systems, cages, 
and ponds. Design, build, and maintain 
recirculating systems and cages. 
Preparation of experimental diets. Procure 
research animals and stock research units. 
 Daily feeding and maintenance of research 
animals. Have worked with many different species
 including channel catfish,
 blue catfish, hybrid catfish, hybrid striped 
bass, hybrid bluegill, freshwater shrimp,
 and red claw crayfish. 
 Perform water quality analysis with HACH kits. 
Collection, tabulation, and statistical
 analysis of data. 
Preparation and publication of research results. 
Design, create, and present slide 
shows of 
research results at local, national, and 
international scientific conferences. 
 
2/91 - 10/92 Research Assistant for 
Aquaculture, Kentucky State University
8/90 - 12/90  Technical Assistant, Mississippi 
State University
9/88 - 8/90 Graduate Research Assistant, 
Mississippi State University
11/87 - 9/88 Laboratory Technician, Mote 
Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, Florida
6/87 - 11/87 Tropical Fish Breeder, J & B 
Tropicals, Lakeland, Florida
 
MEMBERSHIP IN SCIENTIFIC AND PROFESSIONAL 
ORGANIZATIONS
Ohio Aquaculture Association
World Aquaculture Society, 
U.S. Chapter World Aquaculture Society
 
 
 
 
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS (PAST FIVE YEARS) 
 
TECHNICAL JOURNALS
Wallat, G.K., Tiu, L.G., Rapp, J.D., and R.A. 
Moore. (In press) Effect of stocking density 
on growth, yield and costs of producing rainbow 
trout in cages. Journal of Applied
 Aquaculture.
Webster, C.D., Tiu, L.G. and Morgan, A.M. 2000. 
Differences in Growth in Blue Catfish
 Ictalurus furcatus and Channel Catfish I. 
Punctatus fed low-protein diets with and without
 supplemental
 methionine and/or lysine. J. World Aquacult. 
Soc. 31:195-205.
Webster, C.D., Tiu, L.G. and Morgan, A. M. 1999. 
Effect of partial and total 
replacement of fishmeal on growth and body 
composition of Sunshine Bass fed practical diets. 
 J. World Aquacult. Soc. 30(4) 443-453.
Bett, K.L., Johnsen, P.B., Webster, C.D., Tiu, 
L.G., Xiong, X.L., and Decker, E.A. 1998. 
 Sensory and chemical evaluation of sunshine bass 
(Morone chrysops X M. saxatilis) fillets during
 frozen storage. J. Appl. Aquacult. 8(1):53-67.
 
 
NON TECHNICAL
Wallat G. K., Tiu, L.G. and Rapp, D. 2001. 
Comparison of Two Spawning Methods for the
 Production of 
Feed-Trained Yellow Perch Fingerlings and First 
Year Grow-out AQ(1).
Wallat, G.K. and Tiu, L.G. 1999. Production and 
Feed Training of Yellow Perch Fingerlings.
 Centers at Piketon  Publication AQ (1).
 
SELECTED PRESENTATIONS (PAST FIVE YEARS)
Tiu, L.G. 2002. Yellow Perch Research Overview, 
World Aquaculture Society Annual Meeting,
 San Diego, CA 
Tiu, L.G. 2001. Overview of Aquaculture in 
Ohio, Soil and Water District Director’s
 Meeting, Dayton, OH.
Tiu, L.G., 2001. Options for producing Perch in 
Ohio. Ohio Fish Farming Workshop, 
Mineral City, OH
July 20-21.
Tiu, L.G., 2001. So you want to grow fish: 
Available Resources, Ohio Fish Farming 
Workshop, Mineral City, OH
 July 20-21.
Tiu, L.G. 2001. Cage culture of fish, Ohio Fish 
Farming Workshop, Mineral City, OH July 20-21.
Tiu, L.G. 2001. Introduction to Aquaculture, 
Aquaculture 105, Piketon, OH January 6.
Tiu, L.G. 2000. Introduction to Aquaculture, 
Aquaculture 104, Piketon, OH July 29.
Tiu, L.G. 2000. Introduction to Aquaculture, 
Aquaculture 103, Lima, OH January 29.
Tiu, L.G. 2000. Feeds and Feeding, Aquaculture 
103, Lima, OH January, 29.
Tiu, L.G. 1999. Aquaculture Overview, 
Aquaculture 102, Wooster, OH July 24.
Tiu, L.G. 1999. Feeds and Feeding, Aquaculture 
102, Wooster, OH July 24.
Tiu, L.G. 1999. Basic Principles of 
Aquaculture, Aquaculture 101, Piketon, OH 
January 16.
Tiu, L.G. 1999. Water Quality and Aeration, 
Aquaculture 101, Piketon, OH January 16.
Tiu, L.G. 1999. Overview of Freshwater Shrimp 
Culture. North Central RegionalAquaculture 
Centers Annual Conference, Columbia, MO Feb. 24-28
Webster, C.D., Tiu, L.G., Morgan, A., and Gannam, 
A. 1998. Effects of low-protein diets, 
with and without amino acid supplementation, on 
the growth of blue catfish 
(Ictalurus furcatus). 26th Fish Feed and 
Nutrition Workshop, Pine Bluff, AR, Sept. 13-16.
 
Tiu, L.G. and Webster, C.D. 1998. Effects of 
protein level on growth and body composition
 of hybrid bluegill. Southern Division of the 
American Fisheries Society 1998 Midyear Meeting,
 Lexington, KY, Feb. 26 - Mar. 1.
 

Principal Investigator / Project Director #4:

Name:	Tod Porter
Email:	tporter@gwmail.kysu.edu
Phone Number:	502-597-5045
FAX Number:	502-597-8998
Address:	Kentucky State University Aquaculture Research Cen 103 Athletic Road Frankfort, KY 40601

Curriculum Vitae:

Tod Porter
 
EDUCATION: 
M.A. Film, San Francisco State University,
1970-72
B.A. Mass Media, Western Kentucky State
University, 1962-67
 
 
WORK EXPERIENCE:
7/1/01 to present: Electronic Media Coordinator,
Kentucky State University Aquaculture Research 
Center. Write, produce and direct videos; Desktop 
publishing of print materials; Design and 
maintain Web site; Assist faculty with distance 
learning courses.
 
 
8/1/96 - 6/30/01: Coordinator of 
Videoconferencing and Interactive Distance
Learning, Kentucky State University. Promote, 
manage, maintain, and schedule two 
compressed video 
 interactive classrooms; Recruit and train 
faculty in the use of two-way video equipment; 
Work with receive sites in getting their
rooms up to specifications; Taped American 
Literature series in SuperVHS and replayed on 
local cable system.
 
8/1/93 - 6/30/95 Coordinator of Satellite 
Distance Learning, Northwest State University, 
Natchitoches, Louisiana. Promote distance learning
 courses in northern and central 
Louisiana through the development of videos and 
brochures.
 Wrote, produced and directed videotapes and 
wrote and produced live videoconferences.
 
1/3/78 - Vice President for Programming and 
Network Operations, The Learning Channel. 
Oversee administrative, engineering and creative 
functions for the 24-hour national cable network.
 
7/1/72 - 3/31/77: Cinematographer (also wrote, 
directed and edited), Assistant to Executive 
Director,
 and director of statewide KET film festival.
 
VIDEOS, VIDEOCONFERENCES, and PUBLICATIONS: 
(Last 10 years)
 
Freshwater Shrimp: A New Crop for Kentucky (V)
 
Growout of Freshwater Prawns in Kentucky Ponds (P)
 
Interactive Distance Learning at KSU (V)
 
Five animated (with music) PowerPoint
presentations featuring Kentucky and national 
authors (V)
 
Two PSAs featuring Chef Justin Wilson for
Northwestern's Hospitality major (V)
 
Terrific Teaching with Technology (V)
 
TECHNOLOGY: Making It Work In Your School 
(Videoconference)
 
Smart Discipline: Pt.I What Works, What Doesn't
Smart Discipline: Pt.II Turning Around the
Difficult Student (Producer of two 
Professional Development workshops airing on PBS.)
 

Principal Investigator / Project Director #5:

Name:	Alan Escovitz
Email:	escovitz.1@osu.edu
Phone Number:	614-292-9148
FAX Number:	614-292-7081
Address:	The Ohio State Universitry Office of the CIO 1971 Neil Avenue Columbus, Oh 43210

Curriculum Vitae:

Alan Escovitz, Ph.D.
 
ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSILITY
Director for External Affairs
The Ohio State University
Office of the CIO
 
EDUCATION
1978 The Ohio State University; 
Columbus, Ohio
 Ph.D., Adult Education
1973 The Ohio State University; 
Columbus, Ohio
 M.S., Educational Administration
1969 Ohio University; Athens, Ohio
 B.S. Ed., Social Studies 
(Comprehensive)
 
AWARDS
2002 Recipient of a finalist Telly Award 
(Medical Category) for the 2001 cable television 
series,
 "Recent Advances in Drug Therapy" (Treatment of 
Cutanious T-Cell Lymphoma
 
2002 Recipient of The Communicator Award of 
Distinction (Medical/External Category) for the 
2001 cable television series, "Recent Advances in 
Drug Therapy"
 
2001 Recipient of two Communicator Awards of 
Distinction (Medical/External Category) for the
 2000 cable television series, "Recent Advances 
in Drug Therapy"
2000 Recipient of The Communicator Award of 
Distinction and a Honorable Mention
 (Medical/External Category) for the 1999 cable 
television series,
 "Recent Advances in Drug Therapy"
1999 Recipient of The Communicator Award of 
Distinction and a Honorable Mention
 (Medical/External Category) for the 1998 cable 
television series,
 "Recent Advances in Drug Therapy"
1998 Recipient of The Communicator Award of 
Distinction (Medical/External Category) for the
 1997 cable television series, "Recent Advances 
in Drug Therapy"
1990 National University Continuing Education 
Association (N.U.C.E.A.) Individual Service Award
 for the Professions
 
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Alliance for Continuing Medical Education
American Association for Adult and Continuing 
Education
American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy 
Section of Teachers of Continuing Education 
Ohio Association of Adult Educators
Phi Delta Kappa
Rho Chi Society
 
SELECTED PRESENTATIONS
Escovitz, A.: "Migrating a Course to an Online 
Environment", American Association of Colleges
 of Pharmacy 101st Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, 
July 9, 2000.
Escovitz, A, Kier, K. Mauro, L., Green, 
C.: "Using Distance Education to Deliver a
 Drug Certificate Program: Administrative Issues, 
Teaching Experiences and Student Orientation",
 American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy 
100th Annual Meeting, Boston, MA, July 7, 1999.
Escovitz, A. and Green, C.: "Issues for 
Delivering a Web-based Curriculum", American 
Association 
of Colleges of Pharmacy 99th Annual Meeting, 
Snowmass Village, Colorado,
 July 18-22, 1998.
Escovitz, A.: "Consortia for the Development and 
Delivery of Pharmaceutical Education:
 The Council of Ohio Colleges of Pharmacy 
Initiative" American Association Colleges of 
Pharmacy 
Interim Meeting, Washington, DC, March 4, 1997.
 
POSTER SESSIONS
Escovitz, A. and Green, C.: "Student Orientation 
for Web-based Instruction" Poster presented at
 Educause 1999, Long Beach, CA, October 28, 1999.
Escovitz, A. and Green, G.: "Student Orientation 
for the Virtual University", Poster
 presented at Syllabus99 conference, Santa Clara, 
CA, July 27, 1999.
Mauro, L, Kier, K. Escovitz, A. and Green, 
G.: "Cooperative Faculty Development of a Web 
Based Drug
 Information Certificate Program for 
Pharmacists", Poster presented at the
 American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy 
100th Annual Meeting, Boston, MA, July 6, 1999.
Escovitz, A and Green, C.: "Using Distance 
Education to Deliver Nontraditional Pharm.D.
 Courseware: A Pilot Study", Poster presented at 
the Poster presented at the 
American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy
 99th Annual Meeting, Snowmass Village, Colorado, 
July 18-22, 1998.

Principal Investigator / Project Director #6:

Name:	Siddhartha Dasgupta
Email:	sdasgupta@dcr.net
Phone Number:	(502)597-5036
FAX Number:	(502)597-8118
Address:	Aquaculture Research Center, Kentucky State Univer Frankfort, KY, 40601,

Curriculum Vitae:

Education
Ph. D. Texas A&M Univ., Field areas: 
agricultural economics, mathematics 3.7/4.0
 Jan ‘94 to Dec ‘97
M. S.  Univ. of Texas, San Antonio; statistics
 4.0/4.0 Aug ‘93 to Dec ’93
M. S. Texas A&M Univ., mathematics 3.2/4.0
 Aug’90 to May ‘93
B. S.  Angelo State Univ., mathematics & 
computer science 3.8/4.0 Aug ‘88 to Aug ‘90
 
Courses Taught
Year Institution Course
‘01-present Kentucky St Univ
 Aquaculture Research Techniques 
(Biostatistics)
’88-‘00  Univ of AR, Pine Bluff Statistics in 
Research
’94-‘96 Texas A&M Univ Production Economics and 
Mathematical Economics labs
‘93 Univ of TX, San Antonio Mathematical 
Statistics
’90-‘92 Texas A&M Univ Engineering Calculus labs
 
 
Experience
Year Institution Employment
‘01 - Present Kentucky State University: 
Aquaculture Research Center Assistant 
Professor
‘98 – ‘00 Univ. of Arkansas at Pine Bluff: 
Aquaculture/Fisheries Center of Excellence
 Research Associate in aquaculture 
economics and marketing
‘97 Univ. of Idaho: Agricultural Economics
 Post Doctoral Research Associate
 
Refereed Publications
Schardein, M. J., S. Dasgupta and S. Mims. 
(2002) Growth, average weight, and survival
 of paddlefish, Polyodon spathula, stocked at two 
densities in channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus,
 ponds: 
a preliminary field study. Transactions of the 
Kentucky Academy Science, in press.
 
Dasgupta, S. and J. H. Tidwell. (2002) A 
breakeven price analysis of four hypothetical
 freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, 
farms using data from Kentucky.
 Journal of Applied Aquaculture, in press.
 
Coyle, S., S. Dasgupta, J. H. Tidwell, A. 
VanArnum and L. A. Bright. (2002) The effect of
 stocking density on nursery production and 
economics in juvenile freshwater prawn,
 Macrobrachium rosenbergii. Journal of Applied 
Aquaculture, in press.
 
Dasgupta, S., D. Monestime and C. R. Engle. 
(2002) Can Commercial Catfish Producers Always
 Feed Efficiently? Aquaculture Economics and 
Management, (6):55-64.
 
Webster, C. D., K. R. Thompson, A. M. Morgan, E. 
J. Grisby and S. Dasgupta. (2001) Feeding
 frequency Affects Growth, Not Fillet 
Composition, of Juvenile Sunshine Bass Morone 
chrysops
 × M. saxatilis 
Grown in Cages, Journal of the World Aquaculture 
Society, (32):79-88. 
 
Lochmann, R., H. Phillips, S. Dasgupta, D. 
Gatlin, and S. Rawles. (2001) Stable Carbon
 Isotope Ratios and Standard Production Data as 
Indices of Golden Shiner Performance in 
Pond Feeding Trials, Journal of Applied 
Aquaculture, (11):21-34.
 
Dasgupta, S., J. Foltz, and B. Jacobsen.  (2000) 
Trout Steaks: Consumer Perceptions of 
a New Food Item, Journal of Food Distribution 
Research, (November): 37-47.
 
Dasgupta, S. and C. R. Engle. (2000) 
Nonparametric Estimation of Returns to 
Investments 
in Honduras Shrimp Research, Aquaculture 
Economics and Management, (4):141-155.
 
Losinger, W., S. Dasgupta, C. R. Engle, and B. 
Wagner. (2000) Economic Interactions Between
 Feeding Rates and Stocking Densities in 
Intensive Catfish Production, 
Journal of the World Aquaculture Society, (31): 
491-502.
 
Dasgupta, S. (1999) Integration of Arkansas 
Broiler Markets with Other Regional
 U.S. Broiler Markets, Arkansas Agriculture and 
Rural Development, (1): 2-4.
 
Foltz, J., S. Dasgupta and S. Devadoss (1999) 
Consumer Perceptions of Trout as a Food Item,
 International Food and Agribusiness Management 
Review, (2): 83-101.
 
Dasgupta, S., T. O. Knight, and H. A. Love (1999) 
Evolution of Agricultural Land Leasing 
Models: A Survey of the Literature, Review of 
Agricultural Economics, (21): 148-176.
 
Other Publications
 
Tidwell J. H., S. D. Coyle, R. M. Durborow, S. 
Dasgupta, W. A. Wurts, F. Wynne,
 L. A. Bright and A. VanArnum. (2002) Growout of 
Freshwater Prawn in Kentucky Ponds.
 Prawn production manual.
  Kentucky State University Aquaculture Program, 
Frankfort, Kentucky.
 
Losinger, W., S. Dasgupta, C. R. Engle, B. Wagner 
and R. Sampath. (1999) Development
 of a Production Function to Investigate the 
Stochastic Nature of Catfish Production,
 p. 168-172, 1999 Proceedings of the American 
Statistical Association, Alexandria, Virginia.
 
Working Papers
 
Dasgupta, S. A Mathematical Model of a Small 
Scale Rabbit Farm.
 
Dasgupta, S. and C.R. Engle. A Mathematical 
Programming Analysis of Catfish Production:
 1-year versus a 2-year Model.
 
Dasgupta, S. and C. R. Engle. Impact of Low 
Catfish Prices on Economically Efficient
 Feeding and Optimal Stocking Densities Channel 
Catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, in the Multi-batch 
Production Systems of the U. S. South
 
Research Presentations in Professional Meetings
 
“Freshwater Prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii 
Culture at Kentucky State University: 
An Economic Analysis.” Presented at the 2002 
Aquaculture America Meeting,
 San Diego, CA, January, 2002.
 
“Growth, Average Weight and Survival rate of 
Paddlefish, Polyodon spathula, Stocked at
 Two Densities in Channel Catfish, Ictalurus 
punctatus, Ponds.” Presented at the
 2002 Aquaculture America Meeting, San Diego, CA, 
January, 2002.
 
“Modeling Continuous Multi-batch Production of 
Channel Catfish: A 1-year versus a
 2-year Model.” Presented at the North American 
Fisheries Economics Forum,
 New Orleans, LA, April, 2001.
 
“Can Commercial Catfish Producers Always Operate 
Efficiently?” Presented at the 2001 
World Aquaculture Society Meeting, Orlando, FL, 
January, 2001.
 
“Non-parametric Returns to Investment in Shrimp 
Farming in Honduras.” Presented at the 
ARD Biennial Research Symposium, Washington, 
D.C., 2000.
 
“Technological Interactions in Stocking and 
Feeding Intensities in Intensive Catfish
 Production Operations.” Presented at the 2000 
U.S. Chapter of the 
World Aquaculture Society Meetings, 
New Orleans, LA, February, 2000.
 
“Non-Parametric Estimation of Returns to 
Investment in Honduras Shrimp Research.”
 Presented at the 5th Central American Symposium 
on Aquaculture, San Pedro Sula,
 Honduras, August, 1999.
 
“Consumer Perceptions of Trout as a Food Item.” 
Presented at the 1999 U.S. Chapter of the
 World Aquaculture Society Meetings, Tampa, FL, 
February, 1998.
 
“Testing for Cooperative Behavior: An Empirical 
Study of Land Tenure Contracts in Texas.” 
 Presented at the 1998 American Agricultural 
Economics Association Meetings, 
Salt Lake City, UT, August, 1998.
 
“Efficient Land Tenure Contract Under Asymmetric 
Information.” Presented at the 1997 
Western Agricultural Economics Association 
meetings, Reno, NV, July, 1997.
 
“Spatial Price Linkages in U. S. Regional Broiler 
Markets.” Presented at the 1997 
Western Agricultural Economics Association 
meetings, Reno, NV, July, 1997.
 
“ Efficient Land Tenure Contract Under Asymmetric 
Information and Effects of Two Sources 
of Uncertainty.” Presented at the thirty-first 
Pacific Northwest Regional Economic Conference.
 Spokane, Washington, April, 1997.

Principal Investigator / Project Director #7:

Name:	James J Connors
Email:	connors.49@osu.edu
Phone Number:	614.292-3386
FAX Number:	614.292.7007
Address:	216 Agricultural Administration Building 2120 Fyffe Road Columbus, OH 43210-1067

Curriculum Vitae:

EDUCATION:
 
PhD - Agricultural and Extension Education,
 Michigan State University, 1992
M.S. - Agricultural and Extension Education,
 Michigan State University, 1990
B.S. - Agribusiness and Natural Resources Ed,
 Michigan State University, 1984
 
WORK EXPERIENCE:
 
Assistant Professor, 2000-present, Department of 
Human and Community Resource Development,
 The Ohio State University. Teaching (75%), 
Research (25%)
 
Assistant Professor, 1996-2000, Department of 
Agricultural and Extension Education,
 University of Idaho. Teaching (75%), Research 
(25%)
 
Assistant Professor, 1992-1995, Department of 
Agricultural Education,
 University of Arizona.
 
Graduate Research Assistant, 1989-1992, 
Department of Agricultural and Extension 
Education,
 Michigan State University.
 
Vocational Agriculture Teacher, 1984-1989, Brown 
City Community Schools, Brown City, MI.
 
PUBLICATIONS:
 
Cano, J., Connors, J., Knobloch, N., & 
Whittington, S. (2002). Retooling preservice
 agricultural education. Poster presented at the 
2002 AAAE Central Region Agricultural Education
 Conference, St. Louis, MO.
 
Connors, J., Cano, J., Knobloch, N., & 
Whittington, S. (2002). Praxis assessments
 for beginning agricultural educators. Poster 
presented at the 2002 
AAAE Central Region Agricultural Education 
Conference, St. Louis, MO.
 
Radhakrishna, R., Connors, J., Elliot, J., & 
Verma, S. (2001). Journal of International
 Agricultural and Extension Education: From early 
beginnings to sound sustained future. 
 Journal of International Agricultural and 
Extension Education, 8(3), 31-39.
 
Knobloch, N.A., Cano, J., Connors, J. & 
Whittington, S. (2001). Framing a new model
 for preparing teachers of agriculture: A case 
study of teacher education reform.
 Proceedings of the Central States Agricultural 
Education Research Conference. 
 
Connors, J. & Mundt, J. (2001). Characteristics 
of Preservice Teacher Education Programs
 in Agricultural Education in the United States. 
Proceedings of the 2001 National Agricultural 
Education Research Meeting, XXVIII.
 
Connors, J. & Mundt, J. (2001). Characteristics 
of Preservice Teacher Education Programs
 in Agricultural Education in the United States. 
Proceedings of the Western Region Agricultural
 Education Research Meeting. 
 
Schultz, E. & Connors, J. (2000). Factors 
Influencing Curriculum Selection by Secondary
 Agricultural Science and Technology 
Instructors. Proceedings of the Western Region 
Agricultural
 Education Research Meeting, 19, 195-207.
 
Mundt, J. & Connors, J. (1999). Problems and 
Challenges Associated with the First Years
 of Teaching Agriculture: A Framework for 
Preservice and Inservice Education.
 Journal of Agricultural Education, 40(1), 38-48.
 
ORGANIZATIONS:
 
Alpha Tau Alpha, Phi Chapter, Univ of Arizona
American Association for Agricultural Education
Association for Career and Technical Education 
Assoc for International Ag and Extension Education
Gamma Sigma Delta, Ohio State University
National Association of Agricultural Educators 
National FFA Alumni Association, Life Member
National Association of Parliamentarians
National Assoc of College Teachers of Agriculture
Ohio Association of Parliamentarians
Ohio Extension Professionals Association (OEPA)
Ohio FFA Alumni Association
Wirenius Unit - Ohio Assoc of Parliamentarians - 
 Secretary (2002-2004)

Description of the Agricultural Communication Network Project:

1. Project Objectives:

o Make optimal use of available resources for agricultural extension, resident education, and research by sharing resources between participating institutions.

o Train learners for careers in agriculture, natural resource management, environmental science, human sciences and the food industries.

Explain how the Project relates to the Program Objective(s) and how the Projgect will contribute to achieving these over-all Program Objective(s).

K-12 Aquaculture Education and Extension issues 
are very similar for many states in the 
Appalachian region of the country. Many teachers 
who wish to utilize aquaculture in the 
classroom find it difficult to get the training 
they need to optimize the activity. Many schools 
are in remote locations, far from the 
universities that coordinate aquaculture research 
and extension activities in their respective 
states. In addition, aquaculture research and 
extension specialists in the state are limited in 
number and often have very little time to spend 
on K-12 activities. This combination of remote 
locations and limited staff available for 
training creates an opportunity in which distance 
education technology could be utilized to 
dissolve these barriers.
 
Aquaculture is the fastest growing segment of 
agriculture in the United States. The need for 
an educated and trained workforce is imperative 
to the continued growth of this industry. Many 
secondary schools use aquaculture in the 
classroom to begin preparing students for 
agriculture careers. Students exposed to 
aquaculture in secondary schools are prepared to 
further explore the career at a 2-year technical 
college or a 4-year college or University. Two 
years of high school level aquaculture gives 
students some knowledge and skills necessary to 
make informed decisions about careers in 
agriculture.
 
A tri-state network of aquaculture educators, the 
Tri-state Aquaculture Outreach Using 
Technology (TROUT) team, has been organized to 
address the challenge of enhancing 
delivery of aquaculture training to K-12 
educators using technology. Aquaculture 
specialists in three states, Kentucky, West 
Virginia and Ohio have been collaborating to 
develop a communications network to utilize the 
existing university quaculture programs, to 
strengthen aquaculture teacher training in the 
region. The teachers will then be able to 
develop classroom aquaculture programs designed 
to train students for careers in agriculture, 
science and the food industries. 
 
The TROUT team will use videoconferencing 
technology and Web site development to develop 
and implement a pilot project. The team would 
select two sites/teachers in each state to 
participate in the pilot. Participating teachers 
must have access to appropriate technology and 
have a recirculating aquaculture system in their 
classroom. Several teachers in each state, with 
the stated resources, have expressed interest in 
participating in the pilot. Additional teachers 
would be encouraged to attend the two-way video 
training sessions, but data collection would be 
limited to the study participants. 
 
The TROUT team will develop a semester-long 
aquaculture program using existing curriculum 
developed by the National Council on Agriculture 
Education. A coordinating Web site would be 
developed where teachers could download necessary 
curriculum, resources, have threaded discussions 
with other teachers, post questions to 
aquaculture professionals and display results. 
Students would also have access to the site where 
they could interact with other students at 
schools in other states and have email access to 
the university specialists. Each month, a 
different module would be taught to the teachers 
in an evening session via video technology. 
Training responsibilities would rotate between 
the lead institutions so that teachers benefit 
from a wide variety of experiences. 
Teachers will then take that information and 
teach it during the rest of the month. This 
constant virtual contact with aquaculture 
specialists through monthly videoconferencing and 
Web site access, should give teachers the support 
they need to utilize the curriculum. A sample 
training program follows. 
 
Month: November 2002
Session Title: Overview of Recirculating Tank 
Production. 
Trainer: Gordon Mengel, Kentucky State University
Activity: Teachers then spend the month of 
November teaching these concepts to their 
students, assembling their production tank and 
accessing the Web site for additional support 
or to post questions. 
 
Month: December 2002
Session Title: Species selection. 
Trainer: Laura Tiu, Ohio State University 
Activity: Teachers then spend the month of 
December teaching these concepts and breaking 
in their systems to receive fish after the 
holiday break.
 
Month: January 2003
Session Title: Water quality, feeds and feeding, 
best management practices 
Trainer: Dr. Ken Semmens, West Virginia University
Activity: Fish are stocked into the systems. 
 
Month: February 2003
Session Title: Economics and Business Planning
Trainer: Dr. Sid Dasgupta, Kentucky State 
University 
Activity: Completion of business plans
 
Month: March 2003
Session: Biotechnology in Aquaculture.
Trainer: Geoff Wallat, Ohio State University
Activity: Biotechnology experiment using in-class 
system
 
Month: April 2003
Session: Harvesting and Marketing
Trainer: Dr. Ken Semmens, West Virginia University
Activity: Develop a marketing plan, harvest system
 
By enhancing the training of teachers in the use 
of aquaculture as a tool in the classroom, there 
will be a parallel multiplying effect for the 
student population involved. In this pilot, the 
training is limited to six teachers, however, 
each teacher, in turn, will impact at least 30 
students. A minimum of 180 youth, typically 
isolated from university contact, will benefit 
from the technology, training and contact with 
University professionals. Using technology helps 
close the gap by providing students with valuable 
resources formerly accessed only in University 
curriculums. The linkages formed with other 
students and schools further enhance the 
training. 
 
Aquaculture curriculum is useful in teaching a 
myriad of skills that prepare learners for 
careers. Students can learn not only biology and 
agriculture form the in-class experience, but the 
hands-on nature of the activities develop skills 
in math, chemistry, environmental science, 
biotechnology, and industrial arts like plumbing 
and carpentry. In addition, students gain a 
better understanding of the research process.

2. Description of Agricultural Communication Network to be Developed or Utilized.

Many secondary schools now have access to 
distance technology and Internet access. Daily 
intera