Programs
Beyond the research projects of the EnBiSys Lab, Dr. Cranos Williams leads and participates in high-impact programs and initiatives across NC State, often in partnership with other collaborating faculty, institutions, and private companies.
N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative
Dr. Cranos Williams, Director of the Data-Driven Plant Sciences Platform
The goal of the N.C. PSI’s Data-driven Plant Science Platform is to serve as the data acquisition, data management, and data analytics catalyst for discovery, innovation, and translation in plant science research. Dr. Williams leads the Platform’s efforts to develop the IT, laboratory infrastructure, and secure computing environments needed to acquire, process, and interpret agricultural data. This work facilitates innovation across the agricultural value chain, from basic research and breeding strategies to crop production and decision support systems.
NC Ag Analytics Platform
As part of the N.C. PSI Data-driven Plant Science Platform, NC AG Analytics is leading the development of new solutions and integrating existing solutions for storing, analyzing and maintaining large-scale datasets and data repositories. With legislative funds provided to NC State, in partnership with NC A&T State University and SAS, Inc., Ag Analytics is developing a platform to use data collection, management, and analytics that will improve agricultural systems and profitability for NC stakeholders.
GRAD-AID for Ag
Dr. Cranos Williams, Co-PI and Head of Industry Advisory Board
GRAD-AID for Ag is a new National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Traineeship Program that will recruit and train two cohorts of highly motivated doctoral students at the intersection of plant science and AI. The program’s goal: develop a skilled, diverse workforce capable of solving societal grand challenges in global ag sustainability and food security.
AI2EAR
The International Collaboration to Accelerate Integration of Engineering, Plant Sciences & Agricultural Research using Artificial Intelligence
Dr. Cranos Williams, Co-PI
The AI2EAR Program aims to advance our understanding of how to support successful integration of agriculture, life sciences, and engineering to resolve scientific and technological gaps as well as social barriers with the overarching goal of ensuring global food security.
“The way in which our universities have divided up the sciences does not reflect the ways in which nature has divided up its problems.”
SAPLINGS
System Approach to Promote Learning and Innovation for the Next Generations
Dr. Cranos Williams, NC State Lead, Module 5
NC A&T State University leads this 5-year, $18.1 million award from the USDA’s new NEXTGEN initiative. SAPLINGS is designed to grow the number of underrepresented minority students in the food, agriculture, natural resources and human sciences.
Module 5 within the NC State portion of the grant works to create opportunities that will provide students at all levels with the knowledge, skills and technical know-how to develop data analytics and AI-based solutions to address future farming, food, bio-manufacturing and environmental challenges.