Meet the 2026–2027 CHFP Cohort.

Delmonica Farrior is a second-year PhD student in Agriculture and Environmental Sciences with a concentration in Food Science at North Carolina A&T State University. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Family and Consumer Sciences with a concentration in Food and Nutrition from North Carolina A&T. Her research interests include food chemistry, sensory science, and the relationship between food, culture, and health.
Her current research explores the chemical and sensory characteristics of muscadine grapes and their potential use in value-added food products. She is especially interested in how flavor compounds, cultural food preferences, and consumer perception can inform the development of nutritious and culturally relevant foods.
Delmonica’s work also examines the role of Black Southern foodways in shaping food identity, eating patterns, and community health. She hopes to connect scientific research with the cultural knowledge and lived experiences of communities whose food traditions are often overlooked in academic and commercial food systems.
Her long-term goal is to work in food research and product development, creating foods that are nutritious, accessible, and culturally meaningful. She hopes to contribute to a more inclusive food industry by helping ensure that historically underserved communities are represented in food science, innovation, and decision-making.

Andrew “Kory” Holmes will begin his third year as a doctoral student in Urban Forestry at Southern University and A&M College during the 2026–2027 academic year, where he studies environmental equity, urban heat island mitigation, and community-centered green infrastructure. He earned his master’s degree in educational leadership and has over 26 years of experience in public education, including seven years teaching agriscience and sustainable agriculture at Istrouma High School. There, he developed a hands-on program centered on hydroponics, aquaponics, sustainable farming, animal science, farm-to-table events, student-led workshops, and summer internships. Holmes is passionate about helping underserved communities improve environmental health, food access, and resilience through innovative land-based solutions.
His current research project, “Green Roots: Cooling Communities Through Edible Urban Forestry in North Baton Rouge,” explores how tree canopy loss, excessive pavement, and vacant land contribute to extreme heat in historically underserved neighborhoods. Through GIS mapping, i-Tree canopy analysis, and historical weather data, his work identifies opportunities to transform vacant and underutilized spaces into edible landscapes, community food corridors, and cooling green spaces. His research seeks to demonstrate how urban forestry can reduce temperatures while improving food security, environmental equity, and neighborhood well-being.
Holmes has been recognized as East Baton Rouge Parish Teacher of the Year. In the future, he hopes to develop scalable urban forestry and food-system models that can transform vulnerable communities across Louisiana and beyond.

Recheal Armah is a Ph.D. student in Urban Forestry, Environment, and Natural Resources with a concentration in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) at Southern University and A&M College. She earned an M.S. in Urban Forestry and Natural Resources from Southern University and a B.S. in Environmental Science from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana. Recheal is passionate about applying geospatial technologies to environmental challenges and improving community quality of life.
Her research, “Smart Greenspace Design for Tree Equity, Thermal Comfort, and Community Health in Scotlandville, Baton Rouge, Louisiana,” focuses on creating a digital model of the community to test future tree-planting scenarios and predict how changes in tree canopy may affect urban heat, thermal comfort, and community health. Through this work, she aims to identify practical strategies for healthier, more sustainable, and more resilient neighborhoods.
Recheal has served as a GIS Specialist Intern with the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, using Unmanned Aerial Systems and GIS technologies to support environmental monitoring and decision-making. She continues to volunteer with the department’s outreach team and serves as a forestry station master for the Louisiana Envirothon, mentoring students in forestry, conservation, and environmental science. She has authored and co-authored scientific publications and received recognition for her research and presentations. Recheal hopes to establish an environmental consulting firm while mentoring future environmental professionals and promoting environmental education and stewardship.

Jamica Johnson is a graduate student at Langston University pursuing dual programs in Sustainable Horticulture and Allied Plant Bioscience, alongside a Graduate Certificate in Urban Education. A retired U.S. Navy Mass Communication Specialist First Class with 22 years of service, Jamica has dedicated her post-military career to addressing food insecurity, public health disparities, and economic equity in underserved urban communities.
Her current research, “The Whole-Food Prescription: Developing a Clean-Label, Low-Sodium, Organic Plant-Based Meat Alternative for Urban Food Sovereignty,” operates under a “Food is Medicine” framework. She is formulating an organic, low-sodium, clean-label plant-based burger patty using climate-resilient ingredients such as jackfruit, specialty mushrooms, legumes, and textured vegetable protein.
After presenting preliminary prototypes at the 2026 Association of Research Directors Symposium, Jamica is focused on optimizing the formulation’s texture and flavor without synthetic binders or excess sodium. Through hyper-local market testing at community spaces such as the NEOKC Farmers Market, she is exploring whether nutritious, whole-food alternatives can be culturally resonant and economically viable while connecting regional small-scale agriculture with urban consumer health.
Jamica aims to translate her fellowship work into a blueprint for community-driven agricultural entrepreneurship. She plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Food Science and Nutrition Sciences at Langston University and use her research to address urban food deserts, empower local growers, and support a self-sufficient, food-secure future.

Chima Okoli is a third-year Ph.D. student in Integrated Biosciences at North Carolina Central University. He holds an M.S. in Environmental, Earth, and Geospatial Sciences from the same institution. His research interests include the impact of food systems, infrastructure, and spatial inequality on community well-being and sustainable agriculture.
His current research, “Processing Deserts and the Missing Middle: Mapping Meat-Processing Infrastructure Gaps Across Wisconsin’s Pasture Landscape,” is a collaborative project with the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, The Nature Conservancy in Wisconsin, and the University of Wisconsin–Madison. The project investigates how limited meat-processing infrastructure restricts participation in diversified farming systems and affects rural food-system resilience. Through this work, Chima has developed a particular interest in how barriers to processing, preservation, and distribution affect food-system sustainability, even when land, producers, and demand are present.
Previously, Chima worked on a USDA-related project that produced the paper “Quantitatively Defining and Mapping Rural: A Case Study of North Carolina.” He also coauthored research comparing raster- and vector-based GIS methods for measuring food availability in central North Carolina. His broader experience includes work on environmental contaminants, dashboard development, AI policy and governance, and resource mapping with state, national, and nonprofit partners. He hopes to build a career using geospatial research and policy analysis to strengthen resilient and sustainable food systems.

Biswajit Kumar Biswas is a first-year doctoral student in Food and Animal Sciences at Tennessee State University. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Food Engineering and Technology from Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University in Bangladesh. His research interests include food processing, food safety, food quality, and the development of sustainable value-added products.
His current research examines innovative processing techniques and their effects on the nutritional, physical, and sensory characteristics of food products. He is particularly interested in applying food-engineering principles to reduce food loss, improve shelf life, and create nutritious products from underutilized agricultural materials.
Biswajit has experience in food-quality evaluation, laboratory analysis, product development, and scientific research. His academic work has strengthened his interest in addressing food-system challenges through practical and scalable technologies that can benefit producers, processors, and consumers.
His long-term goal is to become a food scientist and educator who contributes to sustainable food processing, food safety, and nutrition. He hopes to develop technologies that reduce waste, support value-added agriculture, and improve access to safe and nutritious foods, particularly in underserved communities.

Samuel Oluwamakinde Oshikoya is a Ph.D. student in Precision Agriculture and Environmental Systems at North Carolina A&T State University. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Agricultural and Environmental Engineering from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria. His research interests include remote sensing, hyperspectral imaging, artificial intelligence, and data-driven approaches to improving crop productivity and resilience.
His current research focuses on using hyperspectral sensing and machine-learning techniques to detect crop stress caused by drought and nutrient deficiencies. By identifying changes in plant health before visible symptoms appear, his work seeks to help farmers make faster and more precise management decisions. He is particularly interested in developing affordable and accessible technologies for small and underserved producers.
Samuel has experience in agricultural engineering, spatial analysis, environmental monitoring, programming, and data interpretation. His work connects engineering and plant science to address production challenges while reducing unnecessary water, fertilizer, and other agricultural inputs.
His long-term goal is to become a researcher and educator in precision agriculture. He hopes to develop practical digital tools that improve food production, reduce crop losses, and strengthen the resilience of farming communities facing climate and resource-related challenges.

Atta Aloka is a second-year Ph.D. student studying Agricultural and Environmental Science with a concentration in Agribusiness and Applied Economics at North Carolina A&T State University. He is a first-generation graduate student who is passionate about protecting the livelihoods of vulnerable family farmers and securing regional food systems.
His research, “Predicting Crop and Financial Risks for Small-Scale Agribusinesses: An Artificial Intelligence Approach,” focuses on predicting crop and financial risks for small and medium-sized farms using artificial intelligence economic models. Through this work, he hopes to put advanced predictive tools directly into the hands of local producers so they can anticipate climate or market threats and make smart business decisions to protect their income.
In the future, Atta hopes to work as a food-systems leader, ensuring that cutting-edge technology is affordable, practical, and truly helpful for small and medium-sized farmers across the United States. He expects to complete his Ph.D. degree in December 2028.

Ebenezer Akinola is a master’s student in Environmental Studies at Kentucky State University. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Agricultural and Environmental Engineering from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria. His academic and research interests include sustainable agriculture, soil and water conservation, environmental management, and the use of technology to address agricultural challenges.
His current research examines environmentally responsible approaches to improving agricultural productivity and resource management. He is particularly interested in the relationship between soil conditions, water availability, and farming practices and how these factors affect the sustainability and resilience of food-production systems.
Ebenezer has experience in agricultural engineering, environmental research, data collection, and field-based analysis. His work reflects a commitment to developing practical solutions that support farmers while protecting soil, water, and other natural resources.
His long-term goal is to become an environmental and agricultural researcher who helps communities adopt sustainable production practices. He hopes to contribute to policies, technologies, and educational programs that strengthen food security, improve environmental stewardship, and support underserved farmers and rural communities.

Gbemisola Ayanniyi is a master’s student in Biotechnology at Alcorn State University. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria. Her research interests include food biotechnology, food safety, nanotechnology, and the development of sustainable materials for food packaging and quality monitoring.
Her current research focuses on developing a smart food-packaging film capable of detecting changes in food freshness. The project uses nanocomposite materials and responsive indicators to help identify spoilage and improve consumer awareness of food quality.
Through this work, Gbemisola hopes to contribute to safer food systems by reducing food waste, improving shelf-life monitoring, and supporting better decisions by consumers and food businesses.
Her long-term goal is to become a biotechnology researcher focused on food safety and sustainable packaging. She hopes to develop affordable technologies that can be used across food-processing and distribution systems, particularly in communities where access to advanced food-quality monitoring tools may be limited.

Dorcas Kayode is a first-year master’s student studying Environmental Sciences at Tennessee State University. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Crop Protection and Environmental Biology from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, where she developed expertise in soil science. She also participated in an Erasmus exchange program at Vytautas Magnus University in Lithuania, broadening her international research perspective. Dorcas is passionate about developing sustainable soil and water management solutions that strengthen resilient agricultural and forest ecosystems while protecting natural resources for future generations.
Her research focuses on decoupling matrix repellency from macropore flow in forest soils with long-term litter accumulation. This project will provide insights into soil hydrological processes in forest ecosystems and improve understanding of how water moves through soils under varying litter conditions. Exploring the influence of soil organic matter on these processes may improve predictions of water availability, nutrient transport, and ecosystem responses to environmental change.
Previously, Dorcas worked with the National Root Crop Research Institute in Umudike, Nigeria, where she contributed to the propagation of healthy, disease-free planting materials in the biotechnology unit. She is a member of the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America and a recipient of the 2026 Grant A. Harris Fellowship. She hopes to serve as a consultant in soil and environmental systems, contributing to evidence-based policies and management strategies that strengthen agricultural and natural ecosystems.

Seyi David Adebayo is a first-year PhD student in Agricultural and Environmental Sciences with a concentration in Food Science at North Carolina A&T State University. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Food Science and Technology from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria. His research interests include food chemistry, functional foods, nanotechnology, and the development of innovative food-delivery systems.
His current research focuses on developing nanoemulsion-based delivery systems for bioactive compounds. These systems may improve the stability, solubility, absorption, and effectiveness of beneficial food components while supporting the development of functional foods and nutraceutical products.
Seyi has experience in food-product development, laboratory analysis, food processing, and scientific research. He is especially interested in translating technical food-science research into practical products that can support health and nutrition.
His long-term goal is to become a food scientist and researcher who develops sustainable, nutritious, and accessible food products. He hopes to contribute to food innovation, public health, and value-added agriculture while mentoring future scientists and supporting communities through research and education.

Lydia Ebbuah is a Ph.D. candidate in Agricultural & Environmental Science Engineering at Tuskegee University. Her research interests include climate-smart agriculture, crop modeling, geographic information systems, remote sensing, and the use of data to support agricultural decision-making.
Her current research uses GIS, climate data, and the Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer crop-modeling platform to examine peanut production in Alabama. Her work seeks to understand how changing weather and climate conditions affect crop growth, yield, and management decisions.
Through this research, Lydia hopes to provide farmers and agricultural professionals with practical information that can support climate adaptation, improve productivity, and reduce production risks.
Her long-term goal is to work in agricultural research, education, and Extension. She hopes to help farmers, especially small and underserved producers, use accessible technologies and evidence-based strategies to make informed decisions and build more resilient farming systems.

Maxwell Muriuki Mkunga is a Ph.D. student in Integrative Biosciences at Tuskegee University, where he serves as a Graduate Research Assistant in the College of Agriculture, Environment and Nutrition Sciences. He earned his M.S. in Animal Science from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and his B.S. in Dairy Science from Egerton University in Kenya. Maxwell is passionate about sustainable livestock production, meat science, food systems, and improving opportunities for underserved livestock producers through research, education, and community outreach.
His research, “Characterizing the Myology of Meat Goat Carcasses to Improve Value-Added Processing and Retail Consumption in Farm-to-Fork Marketing Systems,” examines how goat muscles vary in quality, tenderness, and consumer value. His work aims to help producers and processors improve processing, pricing, marketing, and consumer acceptance of goat meat products. It also explores how sustainable goat production can support local food systems and reduce U.S. dependence on imported goat meat.
Maxwell previously researched medicinal mushroom supplementation in goats and has experience in meat-quality analysis, livestock production systems, molecular laboratory techniques, and producer outreach. He has presented at conferences hosted by the American Society of Animal Science, Professional Agricultural Workers Conference, and Association of 1890 Research Directors. He is also a member of the American Meat Science Association and MANRRS.
Maxwell hopes to lead sustainable livestock production and value-added meat processing by connecting research and producer education. His long-term goal is to establish a livestock and meat-processing enterprise that supports farmer training, food systems, and underserved producers.