Dr. Matt Ogwu, an Assistant Professor in Sustainable Development at Appalachian State University, was honored with the inaugural 2023 College of Fine and Applied Arts (CFAA) Junior Faculty Innovation Grant and has spent the past year on his groundbreaking research on "soil memories." "Soil memories" refer to the chemical and biological imprints left in soil over time, preserving past agricultural and environmental conditions. Dr. Ogwu wishes to reconstruct historical land use patterns and improve modern soil restoration techniques. He explores how soil acts as a reservoir, preserving minerals and nutrients accumulated over time. His innovative work is paving the way for sustainable agricultural practices by reconstructing these soil memories through historical and modern data.
Dr. Ogwu's research is characterized by its interdisciplinary nature, drawing insights from archaeology, chemistry, biology, sustainable development, and anthropology. This holistic approach allows him to explore the rich tapestry of soil history and its implications for future agricultural sustainability. By collaborating with indigenous communities, particularly the Lumbee tribe in Robeson County, North Carolina, Dr. Ogwu is integrating traditional knowledge with modern scientific techniques. Engaging with the tribe's elders, he seeks to learn and adapt century-old practices that have maintained soil health, including the use of lightning rods to enrich soil nitrogen content. This method, rooted in traditional Indigenous knowledge, is believed to influence soil nitrogen levels, potentially accelerating nitrogen fixation and improving soil fertility. Integrating such practices with modern scientific techniques, Dr. Ogwu's research aims to validate and optimize these methods for sustainable agriculture.
With the nearly $5,000 grant from the CFAA, Dr. Ogwu has advanced his research significantly, funding essential lab work like DNA sampling and sequencing. This financial support has also enabled him to work on two manuscripts and develop techniques for using food waste to produce vital nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium for soil enhancement.
The CFAA Junior Faculty Innovation Grant, designed to foster innovative research and creative projects, provides seed funding to support the early stages of promising academic endeavors. This initiative encourages interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary projects, particularly those engaging rural and underserved communities. As Appalachian State University continues to champion sustainability and innovation, the grant serves as a conduit for junior faculty to secure further university-level and external funding.
This grant represents an exciting opportunity for faculty to push the boundaries of innovation and contribute to the university's mission of fostering sustainable and impactful research.
About the Goodnight Family Department of Sustainable Development
One of seven departments housed in the College of Fine and Applied Arts, the Goodnight Family Department of Sustainable Development at Appalachian State University prepares students to thoughtfully analyze human development while focusing on the applied practice of pursuing transformative, community-driven development with concentrations in agroecology and sustainable agriculture; community, regional and global development; and environmental studies; a Bachelor of Arts in sustainable development with a concentration in environmental studies; and a minor in sustainable development.
About the College of Fine and Applied Arts
Appalachian State University's College of Fine and Applied Arts is a dynamic and innovative group of seven academic departments, bringing together a variety of perspectives, experiences, and real-world education to provide unique opportunities for student success. The college has more than 3,500 undergraduate and graduate majors. Its departments are Applied Design, Art, Communication, Military Science and Leadership, Sustainable Development, Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment, and Theatre and Dance. Learn more at https://cfaa.appstate.edu.
About Appalachian State University
As the premier public undergraduate institution in the Southeast, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand and engage their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all. The Appalachian Experience promotes a spirit of inclusion that brings people together in inspiring ways to acquire and create knowledge, to grow holistically, to act with passion and determination, and to embrace diversity and difference. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Appalachian is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System. Appalachian enrolls nearly 21,253 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio, and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors.
CFAA Block Logo 2024
CFAA Block Logo 2024