Millions of people worldwide don’t get enough vitamins from their food. East Tennessee State University’s Dr. Tianhu Sun is determined to change that, and now he has national recognition for his efforts.
The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) named Sun a recipient of its prestigious 2024 New Innovator in Food & Agriculture Research Award, placing the ETSU assistant professor among just nine early-career scientists nationwide honored for their promising research addressing critical challenges in food and agriculture.
The award recognizes Sun’s innovative work to naturally boost vitamin content in seeds. It’s research that could transform how the world tackles global nutrition deficiencies.
“Dr. Sun’s recognition by FFAR validates what we have known all along: Our faculty are conducting world-class research with real impact,” said Dr. Joe Bidwell, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “This award highlights the caliber of scientific innovation happening right here at ETSU and our commitment to solving problems that matter globally.”
While seeds are rich in energy, they are lacking in many micronutrients. That includes multiple vitamins essential for human health.
The frustrating reality? Seeds have the genetic potential to create these vitamins, but the synthesis pathways often remain inactive.
Sun’s research is cracking that code.
His team is identifying DNA switches in seeds that, when activated, allow targeted gene editing to create biofortified crops. He is also developing faster screening techniques that bypass the traditionally time-consuming seed screening process. As part of this project, a group of ETSU undergraduate students is employing machine learning and gene editing to test a proof-of-concept and will compete on the international stage in the international Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) competition in Paris this year.
“This project is about finding ways to activate the genes that are already present in seeds to naturally boost their vitamin content,” said Sun, who teaches in ETSU’s Department of Biological Sciences. “With a growing population and widespread micronutrient deficiencies, we need to think creatively about how to strengthen the nutritional quality of our food supply. This project will also provide a training opportunity for ETSU students interested in biotechnology and synthetic biology.”
FFAR’s New Innovator Award provides early-career scientists with crucial funding to conduct food and agriculture research without the pressure of securing additional funding. The nine recipients represent research spanning FFAR’s priority areas, with their collective work totaling more than $4 million in investment over three years.
“This is the kind of high-impact research that reflects ETSU's mission to improve lives and build healthier communities,” said ETSU’s Dr. Kimberly D. McCorkle, provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs. “We are proud to support innovative scholarship that addresses global challenges and elevates our university on the world stage.”
Learn about the many ways ETSU researchers are generating cutting-edge scholarship at etsu.edu/trailblazers.
