The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa has recently secured a $2 million award from the National Science Foundation (NSF), marking a significant leap toward the development of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) tools. This initiative aims to preemptively identify environmental threats to food production systems, addressing a growing concern in agricultural safety and public health.
This initiative arrives at a critical time, as public health officials are intensively investigating foodborne illness outbreaks linked to cyclospora—parasitic infections that can cause severe gastrointestinal distress. The urgency of identifying threats in our food supply chain has never been clearer, emphasizing the need for faster, more proactive methodologies.
The full NSF award represents a $4 million allocation under the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) Track II Focused EPSCoR Collaboration (FEC), with the University of Nebraska–Lincoln partnering in this important venture. UH Mānoa’s share of $2 million will kick off a four-year project starting September 1, 2026—a noteworthy achievement as this is only the second time the university has received such an award.
Team of Experts Bringing Diverse Skills Together
Led by principal investigator Dr. Tao Yan, director of the Water Resources Research Center (WRRC) and a professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Construction Engineering, this ambitious project unites a broad range of experts from various fields. The research team includes members from the WRRC, College of Engineering, UH Cancer Center, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, and the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience.
Dr. Yan articulated the pressing challenges faced by food production systems, which are increasingly endangered by microbial pathogens and chemical contaminants affecting animal health, food safety, and economic sustainability. He emphasized that this project aims to marry environmental surveillance with AI innovations to develop early-warning technologies essential for identifying threats before they escalate to critical levels.
A Shift Toward Proactive Monitoring
Traditional monitoring approaches often fall short, identifying issues only after harmful contaminants have infiltrated the food supply or disease outbreaks have already begun. The objective of this project is to pioneer a proactive framework that continuously analyzes environmental data, enabling the early detection of warning signs that can prevent serious public health implications.
Researchers will focus on developing cutting-edge AI models that can effectively interpret intricate biological and chemical data. This includes insights from metagenomics—the collection and study of genetic material from environmental samples—and high-resolution mass spectrometry, a technology that accurately identifies chemical compounds present in food production environments.
Initial testing of these technologies will take place in aquaculture and beef cattle production systems, with the overarching goal of bolstering food safety protocols, safeguarding animal health, and enhancing the overall resilience of food production systems in both Hawaiʻi and Nebraska.
Beyond just technological advancements, the collaboration promises to enrich STEM education and workforce development. The project will provide research opportunities not only for junior faculty but also for graduate and undergraduate students, as well as K–12 participants. Outreach efforts are designed to foster collaboration with industry partners, regulatory bodies, and community stakeholders, promoting the adoption of these new technologies in practical settings.
Ultimately, this partnership aims to fortify research capabilities in both EPSCoR jurisdictions—Hawaiʻi and Nebraska—while fostering long-term collaborative efforts that will leverage AI and biotechnology to tackle the pressing challenges faced by food systems today.
