PIE FELLOWS
Student fellowship opportunity with the UF/IFAS Center for Public Issues Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources (PIE Center). Applications for the 2025-2026 cohort are currently closed.
About PIE Fellows
The UF/IFAS Center for Public Issues Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources (PIE Center) encourages you to apply to become a PIE Fellow!
In the PIE Fellows program, you will participate in asynchronous professional development modules related to social science research and outreach. PIE Fellows will have the opportunity to develop research and outreach products based on a public perception survey conducted by the PIE Center.
The 2025-2026 program will be offered asynchronously with live and hybrid professional development opportunities.
Students enrolled in a distance program or EEP are welcome to apply and can be accommodated.
PIE Fellows will gain skills and experience in the following:
- Identify issues in your field through the lens of social science.
- Collect and analyze quantitative data, specifically public opinion survey research.
- Collect and analyze qualitative data, specifically focus groups and interviews.
- Develop an effective intervention for issues identified in your field.
- Develop effective messages for community-level outreach campaigns.
- Gain an understanding of the Cooperative Extension mission and how to effectively engage in the mission.
- Evaluate your work to demonstrate impact.
The PIE Center wants to support your success as a student, and we know what it takes to succeed!
By participating in the PIE Fellowship Program,
you will receive:
Access to a dataset from PIE Center Research
Access to PIE Fellows online learning components
Research & outreach staff support
One-on-one mentorship related to social science research and outreach
Financial support when presenting or publishing PIE Center-related projects
*All expenses, including membership fees, publishing fees, and conference travel must receive prior approval by PIE Center Director.
PROGRAM MODULES
Problem Identification
Research Methods and Analysis
Intervention Strategy
Science Communication
Outreach
Evaluation
FINAL PROJECT TOPICS
FOOD AND HEALTH
Participants in a regional sample (n = 1000) were asked about questions related to food safety and food consumption. Sections of the survey include safety of the U.S. food supply, food policy, eating patterns, and food purchasing behaviors. All questions included in this survey are quantitative in nature.
FARM SECURITY
Participants in a regional sample (n = 1000) were asked about their perceptions of national security, specifically related to farm security. Sections of the survey include awareness of national security, perceptions of farm security, public health and wellness, policy and risk perception, and behavioral and informational sources. Most questions included in this survey are quantitative but there are a limited number of open response questions that can be analyzed qualitatively.
HEALTH AND SAFETY NEEDS IN THE CARIBBEAN
Participants from 18 countries and territories in the Caribbean region (n = 88) were selected for this study based on their membership in an agricultural professional association or their affiliation as an Extension provider. Sections of the survey included their level of concern on a broad range of health and safety issues in the agricultural sector, and their perceptions of the most common and trustworthy sources of agricultural health and safety information. Most questions included in this survey were quantitative, but there was a limited number of open-response questions that could be analyzed qualitatively.
2025-2026 PIE Fellows
Lordia Blay
M.D.P.
MAJOR: Sustainable Development Practice (MDP)
Camil Coss Flores
B.S.
MAJOR: Biological Engineering
Charlie Hochfelder
M.D.P.
MAJOR: Sustainable Development Practice (MDP)
Jillian Johnston
B.S.
MAJOR: Family, Youth and Community Sciences (Pre-Med track)
Stephanie Martinez
M.S.
MAJOR: Microbiology and Cell Science
Velan Thanasekar
B.S.
MAJOR: Microbiology & Public Health
Kate Wright
M.S.
MAJOR: Microbiology and Cell Science
MEET PAST PIE FELLOWS
Kamila Koralasbayev, a recent graduate of the Marine Sciences undergraduate program here at the University of Florida and participant of the 2024-2025 PIE Fellows program. Learn more about Kamila and her time in the PIE Fellows program!
Alejandro Mena Sanchez, a PhD student in Public Health here at the University of Florida and participant of the 2024-2025 PIE Fellows program. Learn more about Alejandro and his time in the PIE Fellows program!
2025 - 2026 COHORT
- Lordia Blay, M.D.P. Sustainable Development Practice
- Camil Coss Flores, B.S. Biological Engineering
- Charlie Hochfelder, M.D.P. Sustainable Development Practice
- Jillian Johnston, B.S. Family, Youth and Community Sciences (Pre-Med track)
- Stephanie Martinez, M.S. Microbiology and Cell Science
- Velan Thanasekar, B.S. Microbiology and Public Health
- Kate Wright, M.S. Microbiology and Cell Science
2024 - 2025 COHORT
- Marie-Gabrielle Ayika, M.S. Plant Pathology
- Marissa Cassaway, M.S. Agricultural Education and Communication
- Astrid Ericson, M.S. Agricultural Education and Communication
- Jose Antonio Molina Gonzalez, Ph.D. Agricultural Education and Communication
- Kamila Koralasbayev, B.S. Marine Sciences
- Alejandro Mena Sanchez, Ph.D. Public Health One Health Concentration
2023-2024 COHORT
- Miranda Badolato
- Madison Dyment
- Alwin Hopf
- Arati Joshi
- Dharmendra Kalauni
- Andres Manrique
- Emily Pappo
Questions?
If you have any questions about the PIE Fellows program or the application process, please reach out to Dr. Ashley McLeod-Morin.
