Maryland Research Locations

• Beltsville, MD

• Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center:
• Food Components and Health Laboratory: The mission of the Food Components and Health Laboratory (FCHL) is to determine the bioavailability of bioactive food components and to delineate the role of diet and lifestyle in the prevention of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease. Scientists assess (More)
• Diet, Genomics and Immunology Laboratory: The mission of the Diet, Genomics, and Immunology Laboratory (DGIL) focuses on four main areas: (1) To elucidate the mechanisms by which diet, nutrients, bio-active food components prevent chronic diseases and promote human health; (2) To identify chemical forms and bioavailability of nutrients, (More)
• Food Surveys Research Group: The mission of the Food Surveys Research Group is to monitor and assess food consumption and related behavior of the U.S. population by conducting surveys and providing the resulting information for food and nutrition-related programs and public policy decisions. (More)
• Methods and Application of Food Composition Laboratory: The mission of the Methods and Application of Food Composition Laboratory (MAFCL) is to identify critical food composition needs for research, consumers, food producers and policy-makers. MAFCL will provide leadership and promote international cooperation in the development of nutrient databases (More)
• Food for Health of People and the Environment Lab: The mission of Food for Health of People and the Environment Laboratory (FHPEL) is to support and conduct multidisciplinary research that will address food composition, the impact of the environment and food production systems on nutrient/bioactive components in food, and the metabolic/physiologic (More)
• Beltsville Agricultural Research Center:
• Sustainable Agricultural Systems Laboratory: The Sustainable Agricultural Systems Lab determines principles and practices integral to the development of sustainable agricultural systems. Multi-disciplinary research investigates agro-ecological processes underlying the functioning of sustainable systems. Emphasis is also on molecular biology (More)
• Hydrology and Remote Sensing Laboratory: The mission of the Hydrology and Remote Sensing Laboratory is to conduct nationally oriented basic and applied research on the use of remote sensing in addressing water and soil resource concerns related to the production of food and fiber, climate change and the conservation of natural resources. (More)
• Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory: The mission of the Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory (APDL) is to reduce parasitic disease in livestock and poultry pathogens and their risk of transmission to people. To do so, we study parasite biodiversity, development, genetics, genomics, and transmission, and we study the physiological and (More)
• Adaptive Cropping Systems Laboratory: The Adaptive Cropping Systems Laboratory (ACSL), develop and continually improve cutting-edge agricultural soil and plant simulation models, plant stress detection systems, and advanced technologies that integrate soil biogeochemical processes. Our goal is to provide accessible tools and empirical (More)
• Environmental Microbial & Food Safety Laboratory: The mission of the Environmental Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory (EMFSL) is to: • characterize protozoan parasites (utilizing biological, chemical and molecular techniques) found in livestock manures and assess their transmission on and off of the farm; • characterize pathogenic enteric (More)
• Animal Genomics and Improvement Laboratory: The Animal Genomics and Improvement Laboratory (AGIL) discovers and develops improved methods for the genetic and genomic evaluation of economically important traits of dairy animals and small ruminants and conducts fundamental genomics-based research aimed at improving their health and productive (More)
• Animal Biosciences & Biotechnology Laboratory: The mission of the Animal Biosciences and Biotechnology Laboratory (ABBL) is to develop the knowledge and technology to improve genetic and reproductive traits, nutrient utilization and disease resistance in livestock and poultry to enhance growth, product quality and maintain superior genetics for (More)
• Bee Research Laboratory: The Bee Research Laboratory (BRL) mission is to provide innovative tools and insights for building and maintaining healthy honey bee populations capable of supplying pollination and hive product needs. BRL scientists use microbiology, genetics, toxicology and fieldwork to improve the management of (More)
• National Germplasm Resources Laboratory: The mission of the National Germplasm Resources Laboratory is to support the USDA-ARS National Genetic Resources program. Emphasis is on the U.S. National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS) that collects, conserves, documents, evaluates, enhances, and distributes plant genetic resources used by U.S. and (More)
• Invasive Insect Biocontrol & Behavior Laboratory: The mission of the Invasive Insect Biocontrol and Behavior Laboratory (IIBBL) is to conduct research on insect pests of agriculture and mitigate their threats to our Nation’s food and fiber. Using biological, molecular, chemical and non chemical approaches, scientists are developing new, (More)
• Genetic Improvement for Fruits & Vegetables Laboratory: The mission of the Genetic Improvement of Fruits and Vegetables Laboratory is to develop germplasm for high value small fruits and vegetables with improved disease resistance, tolerance to abiotic stresses, quality, and nutritional value. The major objectives of the laboratory are to 1) enhance (More)
• Molecular Plant Pathology Laboratory: The mission of the Molecular Plant Pathology Laboratory is to solve problems related to the management and control of agriculturally important plant diseases. The Laboratory's research program involves comprehensive studies of plant diseases caused by two major types of pathogens: 1) subcellular (More)
• Soybean Genomics & Improvement Laboratory: Our mission is to improve soybean, common bean, and wheat to provide sustainable solutions for consumers in America and around the world. We accomplish this by 1) developing molecular markers and genetic maps to define genes controlling seed quality, disease resistance, abiotic stress tolerance, (More)
• Sustainable Perennial Crops Laboratory: The mission of the Sustainable Perennial Crops Laboratory is to carry out research on tropical perennial crops of significance to national and global economies with the goals of: improving crop yields with reduced inputs, reducing the impact of crop disease, preserving and optimizing the use of (More)
• Food Quality Laboratory: The mission of the Food Quality Laboratory (FQL) is to conduct research on fruits, vegetables, and grains to develop technologies that reduce postharvest losses and improve sensory, nutritional, and functional quality. Specific goals are to 1) develop improved methods to control ripening, (More)
• Mycology and Nematology Genetic Diversity and Biology Laboratory: The twofold mission of the Mycology and Nematology Genetic Diversity and Biology Laboratory is to provide the knowledge required for the identification of agriculturally important fungi and nematodes and to develop environmentally safe control strategies for plant-parasitic nematodes. Specific (More)

• Frederick, MD

• Foreign Disease-Weed Science Research: The USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Foreign Disease-Weed Science Research Unit has two distinct missions united by a common relationship to plant pathology and the unit’s unique BSL-3 plant pathogen containment laboratory and greenhouse facilities. The mission of the foreign disease program (More)

National Programs in Maryland

• Food Animal Production (101)
• Animal Health (103)
• Veterinary, Medical, and Urban Entomology (104)
• Aquaculture (106)
• Human Nutrition (107)
• Food Safety (animal and plant products) (108)
• Water Availability and Watershed Management (211)
• Soil and Air (212)
• Grass, Forage, and Rangeland Agroecosystems (215)
• Sustainable Agricultural Systems Research (216)
• Plant Genetic Resources, Genomics and Genetic Improvement (301)
• Plant Diseases (303)
• Crop Protection and Quarantine (304)
• Crop Production (305)
• Product Quality and New Uses (306)

• Appropriated Projects in Maryland

  • Food Characteristics that Affect Ingestive Behavior and Risk of Diet-Related Chronic Diseases in Humans ( Food Components and Health Laboratory )
  • Predicting Individual Response to Dietary Intake ( Food Components and Health Laboratory )
  • Defining the Impact of Different Foods or Their Components, in the Context of A Western-Style Diet, on Gut Health ( Diet, Genomics and Immunology Laboratory )
  • Impact of Genetics, Growing Condition or Processing on Bioactive Components in Coffee and Microgreens: Influences on Health ( Diet, Genomics and Immunology Laboratory )
  • Improved National Dietary Assessment and the Relationship of Dietary Intake to the Environmental Impact of Foods and Beverages ( Food Surveys Research Group )
  • Foodomics: New Tools for Food Composition ( Methods and Application of Food Composition Laboratory )
  • Farm to Table Factors: Impact of Production, Processing, and Preparation on Food Composition ( Methods and Application of Food Composition Laboratory )
  • FoodData Central ( Food for Health of People and The Environment Laboratory )
  • Precision Integrated Weed Management in Conventional and Organic Crop Production Systems ( Sustainable Agricultural Systems Laboratory )
  • Soil, Crop, and Manure Biochemistry and Molecular Ecology: Bridging Knowledge Gaps in Microbiome Response to Management and Climate Change ( Sustainable Agricultural Systems Laboratory )
  • Developing, Evaluating, and Optimizing Diversified Agricultural Systems for a Changing Environment in the Mid-Atlantic Region ( Sustainable Agricultural Systems Laboratory )
  • Enhancing Agricultural Management and Conservation Practices by Advancing Measurement Techniques and Improving Modeling Across Scales ( Hydrology and Remote Sensing Laboratory )
  • From Field to Watershed: Enhancing Water Quality and Management in Agroecosystems through Remote Sensing, Ground Measurements, and Integrative Modeling ( Hydrology and Remote Sensing Laboratory )
  • Foodborne Parasites and their Impact on Food Safety ( Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory )
  • Developing Improved Control Strategies for Avian Coccidosis ( Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory )
  • Molecular, Immune and Microbiome Approaches for Mitigating GI Nematode Infections of Livestock ( Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory )
  • Immune and Genomic Determinants of Host Responses Associated with Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus Infections ( Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory )
  • Characterization, Prevention, and Mitigation of Histomoniasis in Turkey ( Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory )
  • Developing Practices for Nutrient and Byproducts to Mitigate Climate Change, Improve Nutrient Utilization, and Reduce Effects on Environment (BRIDGE PROJECT) ( Adaptive Cropping Systems Laboratory )
  • Sustainable and Resilient Crop Production Systems Based on the Quantification and Modeling of Genetic, Environment, and Management Factors ( Adaptive Cropping Systems Laboratory )
  • Detection and Characterization of Zoonotic and Emerging Parasites Affecting Food Safety and Public Health ( Environmental Microbial & Food Safety Laboratory )
  • Evaluation of Genetic and Management Factors to Reduce Foodborne Pathogens and Antimicrobial Resistance in Dairy Cattle ( Environmental Microbial & Food Safety Laboratory )
  • Intervention Strategies to Mitigate the Food Safety Risks Associated with the Fresh Produce Supply Chain ( Environmental Microbial & Food Safety Laboratory )
  • Advancement of Sensing Technologies for Food Safety and Security Applications ( Environmental Microbial & Food Safety Laboratory )
  • Improving Pre-harvest Produce Safety through Reduction of Pathogen Levels in Agricultural Environments and Development and Validation of Farm-Scale Microbial Quality Model for Irrigation Water Sources ( Environmental Microbial & Food Safety Laboratory )
  • Accelerating Genetic Improvement of Ruminants Through Enhanced Genome Assembly, Annotation, and Selection ( Animal Genomics and Improvement Laboratory )
  • Increasing Accuracy of Genomic Prediction, Developing Algorithms, Selecting Markers, and Evaluating New Traits to Improve Dairy Cattle ( Animal Genomics and Improvement Laboratory )
  • Improving Dairy Cow Feed Efficiency and Environmental Sustainability Using Genomics and Novel Technologies to Identify Physiological Contributions and Adaptations ( Animal Genomics and Improvement Laboratory )
  • Alternatives to Antibiotics Strategies to Control Enteric Diseases of Poultry ( Animal Biosciences & Biotechnology Laboratory )
  • Development of New Technologies and Methods to Enhance the Fertility, Utilization, and Long-Term Storage of Poultry and Swine Germplasm ( Animal Biosciences & Biotechnology Laboratory )
  • Nutritional Strategies to Improve Production Efficiencies in Broiler Chickens ( Animal Biosciences & Biotechnology Laboratory )
  • Alternatives to Antibiotics: Developing Novel Strategies to Improve Production Efficiency in Swine ( Animal Biosciences & Biotechnology Laboratory )
  • Managing Honey Bees Against Disease and Colony Stress ( Bee Research Laboratory )
  • Characterization and Detection of Viruses that Impact the Exchange and Curation of Plant Germplasm ( National Germplasm Resources Laboratory )
  • Operate and Improve the GRIN-Global Information Management System and Other GRIN Websites to Support USDA/ARS Genetic Resource Collections ( National Germplasm Resources Laboratory )
  • Genetic Resources Acquisition, Conservation, International Exchange, and Taxonomic Expertise in Support of the U.S. National Plant Germplasm System ( National Germplasm Resources Laboratory )
  • Ticks and Human Health ( Invasive Insect Biocontrol & Behavior Laboratory )
  • Sustainable Insect Pest Management for Urban Agriculture and Landscapes ( Invasive Insect Biocontrol & Behavior Laboratory )
  • Strawberry Crop Improvement through Breeding, Genetics, Genomics, and Molecular Biology ( Genetic Improvement for Fruits & Vegetables Laboratory )
  • Accelerating Blueberry and Cranberry Improvement by Exploiting Germplasm Resources and Multi-omics Technologies ( Genetic Improvement for Fruits & Vegetables Laboratory )
  • Solanaceous Crop Improvement and Disease Management ( Genetic Improvement for Fruits & Vegetables Laboratory )
  • Development of Novel Disease Control Strategies Based on Virus and Viroid Biology ( Molecular Plant Pathology Laboratory )
  • Discovery, Characterization, and Diagnostics of Endemic and Exotic Citrus Pathogens Using High Throughput Sequencing (HTS) ( Molecular Plant Pathology Laboratory )
  • Omics-Based Approach to Detection, Identification, and Systematics of Plant Pathogenic Phytoplasmas and Spiroplasmas ( Molecular Plant Pathology Laboratory )
  • Developing Biotechnologies to Improve Pest and Pathogen Resistance, Yield, and Quality in Sugarbeet ( Molecular Plant Pathology Laboratory )
  • Emerging Stress Challenges and Composition of Alfalfa Pathobiome ( Molecular Plant Pathology Laboratory )
  • Characterization and Utilization of Genetic Diversity in Soybean and Common Bean and Management and Utilization of the National Rhizobium Genetic Resource Collection ( Soybean Genomics & Improvement Laboratory )
  • Proteomic and Metabolomic Characterization of Quality Traits in Soybeans, Beans, and Agricultural Products ( Soybean Genomics & Improvement Laboratory )
  • Host Resistance for Managing Pathogens of Common Bean Disease ( Soybean Genomics & Improvement Laboratory )
  • Development of Pathogen- and Plant-Based Genetic Tools and Disease Mitigation Methods for Tropical Perennial Crops ( Sustainable Perennial Crops Laboratory )
  • Genotypic Characterization of Genetic Resources for Cacao, Coffee, and Other Tropical Perennial Crops Economically Important to the United States ( Sustainable Perennial Crops Laboratory )
  • Reducing Postharvest Loss and Improving Fresh Produce Marketability and Nutritive Values through Technological Innovations and Process Optimization ( Food Quality Laboratory )
  • Integrated Approaches to Improve Fruit and Vegetable Nutritional Quality with Improved Phenolics Contents ( Food Quality Laboratory )
  • System Approaches Using Genomics and Biology to Manage Postharvest Fruit Decay, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Mycotoxins to Reduce Food Loss and Waste ( Food Quality Laboratory )
  • Plant-associated Nematode Management and Systematics and USDA Nematode Collection Curation ( Mycology and Nematology Genetic Diversity and Biology Laboratory )
  • Fungal Systematics and Diagnostic Resource Development for Safeguarding Plant Health ( Mycology and Nematology Genetic Diversity and Biology Laboratory )
  • Expansion and Improvement of Plant-Associated Fungal Resources and Associated Descriptive Data in the U.S. National Fungus Collections and Databases ( Mycology and Nematology Genetic Diversity and Biology Laboratory )
  • Discovery and Development of Microbial-Based Biological Control Agents for Use Against Invasive Weeds in the United States ( Foreign Disease-weed Science Research )
  • Integrative Genomic and Biological Approaches to Detect and Manage Emerging Foreign Fungal Plant Pathogens ( Foreign Disease-weed Science Research )
  • Developing Genomic and Biological Resources to Characterize, Diagnose and Detect Emerging and Invasive Vectored Bacterial and Viral Plant Pathogens for Safeguarding U.S. Agriculture ( Foreign Disease-weed Science Research )
  • Diagnostics and Biological Approaches for Management of Emerging Oomycete Plant Pathogens ( Foreign Disease-weed Science Research )