University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Gets $2M NSF Award for AI Food-Safety Research
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The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa has received a $2 million National Science Foundation award to lead a four-year project developing AI-enabled tools for early detection of environmental threats to food production. The award is part of a $4 million NSF EPSCoR collaboration with the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, and the project began September 1. Researchers will combine artificial intelligence with environmental sampling, genetic analysis, and high-resolution chemical analysis to monitor risks affecting aquaculture, livestock, and agricultural systems. Unlike current methods that detect problems only after outbreaks or contamination, the AI models will continuously analyze biological and chemical data for earlier warning signs. The project will test the technology in aquaculture and beef cattle production, using data from metagenomics and high-resolution mass spectrometry. It is led by Tao Yan and involves scientists from several UH units. The collaboration will also offer research opportunities for students and K–12 participants, with outreach to industry, regulators, and communities.
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