A Pandemic-Resilient CURE Shifts Community College Students From Knowledge Consumers to Authentic Knowledge Producers

AbstractAcademic food security aims to provide students with sufficient access to knowledge (one key academic nutrient) in order to limit intellectual hunger. In this analogy, the student is seen as a consumer of knowledge. Academic food sovereignty, on the other hand, aims to shift the focus from student knowledge consumership to student knowledge producership. Our efforts to democratize authentic undergraduate research experiences and our computational biology approach to the discovery and analysis of sea star ovarian gene expression aim to shift the paradigm to sustainably realize “academic food sovereignty.” Essential for this paradigm shift is the realization that faculty of community colleges and primarily undergraduate institutions can be valued in equal partnership with research-intensive institutions. In this article, we report how a genuine, sustainable inter-institutional partnership formed; developed into a community-college centric, authentic course-based undergraduate research experience (aCURE); and evolved into a pandemic-resilient small tri-institutional networked aCURE. Qualitative and quantitative data on the impacts of our efforts are presented, and the broader impacts of this academic bridging and learner-autonomy-respecting bidirectional partnership are discussed. Sustainability is essential for “academic food sovereignty,” and we emphasize the many legs of the proverbial stool for stability in the future. Additional informationNotes on contributorsThomas M. OnoratoThomas M. Onorato (tonorato@lagcc.cuny.edu) is a professor of biology, Jacqueline A. Brashears (jbrashears@lagcc.cuny.edu) is an associate professor of biology, Claudette Davis (cldavis@lagcc.cuny.edu) is an associate professor of biology, Ian Alberts (ialberts@lagcc.cuny.edu) is a professor of chemistry, and Ingrid D. Veras (iveras@lagcc.cuny.edu) is an associate professor of biology, all in the Department of Natural Sciences at LaGuardia Community College of the City University of New York in Long Island City, New York. Nathalie Oulhen (nathalie_oulhen@brown.edu) is a research assistant professor, Gerardo Reyes (gerardo_reyes_chavez@brown.edu) is a doctoral student, Stephany Foster (stephany_foster@alumni.brown.edu) is a PhD graduate, Cosmo A. Pieplow (cosmo_pieplow@brown.edu) is a postdoctoral fellow, and Gary M. Wessel (Gary_Wessel@brown.edu) is a professor, all in in the Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. Janet E. Rollins (janet.rollins@mountsaintvincent.edu) is an associate professor of chemistry in the Division of Natural Sciences at the College of Mount Saint Vincent in Riverdale, New York.Nathalie OulhenThomas M. Onorato (tonorato@lagcc.cuny.edu) is a professor of biology, Jacqueline A. Brashears (jbrashears@lagcc.cuny.edu) is an associate professor of biology, Claudette Davis (cldavis@lagcc.cuny.edu) is an associate professor of biology, Ian Alberts (ialberts@lagcc.cuny.edu) is a professor of chemistry, and Ingrid D. Veras (iveras@lagcc.cuny.edu) is an associate professor of biology, all in the Department of Natural Sciences at LaGuardia Community College of the City University of New York in Long Island City, New York. Nathalie Oulhen (nathalie_oulhen@brown.edu) is a research assistant professor, Gerardo Reyes (gerardo_reyes_chavez@brown.edu) is a doctoral student, Stephany Foster (stephany_foster@alumni.brown.edu) is a PhD graduate, Cosmo A. Pieplow (cosmo_pieplow@brown.edu) is a postdoctoral fellow, and Gary M. Wessel (Gary_Wessel@brown.edu) is a professor, all in in the Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. Janet E. Rollins (janet.rollins@mountsaintvincent.edu) is an associate professor of chemistry in the Division of Natural Sciences at the College of Mount Saint Vincent in Riverdale, New York.Gerardo ReyesThomas M. Onorato (tonorato@lagcc.cuny.edu) is a professor of biology, Jacqueline A. Brashears (jbrashears@lagcc.cuny.edu) is an associate professor of biology, Claudette Davis (cldavis@lagcc.cuny.edu) is an associate professor of biology, Ian Alberts (ialberts@lagcc.cuny.edu) is a professor of chemistry, and Ingrid D. Veras (iveras@lagcc.cuny.edu) is an associate professor of biology, all in the Department of Natural Sciences at LaGuardia Community College of the City University of New York in Long Island City, New York. Nathalie Oulhen (nathalie_oulhen@brown.edu) is a research assistant professor, Gerardo Reyes (gerardo_reyes_chavez@brown.edu) is a doctoral student, Stephany Foster (stephany_foster@alumni.brown.edu) is a PhD graduate, Cosmo A. Pieplow (cosmo_pieplow@brown.edu) is a postdoctoral fellow, and Gary M. Wessel (Gary_Wessel@brown.edu) is a professor, all in in the Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. Janet E. Rollins (janet.rollins@mountsaintvincent.edu) is an associate professor of chemistry in the Division of Natural Sciences at the College of Mount Saint Vincent in Riverdale, New York.Stephany FosterThomas M. Onorato (tonorato@lagcc.cuny.edu) is a professor of biology, Jacqueline A. Brashears (jbrashears@lagcc.cuny.edu) is an associate professor of biology, Claudette Davis (cldavis@lagcc.cuny.edu) is an associate professor of biology, Ian Alberts (ialberts@lagcc.cuny.edu) is a professor of chemistry, and Ingrid D. Veras (iveras@lagcc.cuny.edu) is an associate professor of biology, all in the Department of Natural Sciences at LaGuardia Community College of the City University of New York in Long Island City, New York. Nathalie Oulhen (nathalie_oulhen@brown.edu) is a research assistant professor, Gerardo Reyes (gerardo_reyes_chavez@brown.edu) is a doctoral student, Stephany Foster (stephany_foster@alumni.brown.edu) is a PhD graduate, Cosmo A. Pieplow (cosmo_pieplow@brown.edu) is a postdoctoral fellow, and Gary M. Wessel (Gary_Wessel@brown.edu) is a professor, all in in the Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. Janet E. Rollins (janet.rollins@mountsaintvincent.edu) is an associate professor of chemistry in the Division of Natural Sciences at the College of Mount Saint Vincent in Riverdale, New York.Cosmo A. PieplowThomas M. Onorato (tonorato@lagcc.cuny.edu) is a professor of biology, Jacqueline A. Brashears (jbrashears@lagcc.cuny.edu) is an associate professor of biology, Claudette Davis (cldavis@lagcc.cuny.edu) is an associate professor of biology, Ian Alberts (ialberts@lagcc.cuny.edu) is a professor of chemistry, and Ingrid D. Veras (iveras@lagcc.cuny.edu) is an associate professor of biology, all in the Department of Natural Sciences at LaGuardia Community College of the City University of New York in Long Island City, New York. Nathalie Oulhen (nathalie_oulhen@brown.edu) is a research assistant professor, Gerardo Reyes (gerardo_reyes_chavez@brown.edu) is a doctoral student, Stephany Foster (stephany_foster@alumni.brown.edu) is a PhD graduate, Cosmo A. Pieplow (cosmo_pieplow@brown.edu) is a postdoctoral fellow, and Gary M. Wessel (Gary_Wessel@brown.edu) is a professor, all in in the Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. Janet E. Rollins (janet.rollins@mountsaintvincent.edu) is an associate professor of chemistry in the Division of Natural Sciences at the College of Mount Saint Vincent in Riverdale, New York.Janet E. RollinsThomas M. Onorato (tonorato@lagcc.cuny.edu) is a professor of biology, Jacqueline A. Brashears (jbrashears@lagcc.cuny.edu) is an associate professor of biology, Claudette Davis (cldavis@lagcc.cuny.edu) is an associate professor of biology, Ian Alberts (ialberts@lagcc.cuny.edu) is a professor of chemistry, and Ingrid D. Veras (iveras@lagcc.cuny.edu) is an associate professor of biology, all in the Department of Natural Sciences at LaGuardia Community College of the City University of New York in Long Island City, New York. Nathalie Oulhen (nathalie_oulhen@brown.edu) is a research assistant professor, Gerardo Reyes (gerardo_reyes_chavez@brown.edu) is a doctoral student, Stephany Foster (stephany_foster@alumni.brown.edu) is a PhD graduate, Cosmo A. Pieplow (cosmo_pieplow@brown.edu) is a postdoctoral fellow, and Gary M. Wessel (Gary_Wessel@brown.edu) is a professor, all in in the Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. Janet E. Rollins (janet.rollins@mountsaintvincent.edu) is an associate professor of chemistry in the Division of Natural Sciences at the College of Mount Saint Vincent in Riverdale, New York.Jacqueline A. BrashearsThomas M. Onorato (tonorato@lagcc.cuny.edu) is a professor of biology, Jacqueline A. Brashears (jbrashears@lagcc.cuny.edu) is an associate professor of biology, Claudette Davis (cldavis@lagcc.cuny.edu) is an associate professor of biology, Ian Alberts (ialberts@lagcc.cuny.edu) is a professor of chemistry, and Ingrid D. Veras (iveras@lagcc.cuny.edu) is an associate professor of biology, all in the Department of Natural Sciences at LaGuardia Community College of the City University of New York in Long Island City, New York. Nathalie Oulhen (nathalie_oulhen@brown.edu) is a research assistant professor, Gerardo Reyes (gerardo_reyes_chavez@brown.edu) is a doctoral student, Stephany Foster (stephany_foster@alumni.brown.edu) is a PhD graduate, Cosmo A. Pieplow (cosmo_pieplow@brown.edu) is a postdoctoral fellow, and Gary M. Wessel (Gary_Wessel@brown.edu) is a professor, all in in the Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. Janet E. Rollins (janet.rollins@mountsaintvincent.edu) is an associate professor of chemistry in the Division of Natural Sciences at the College of Mount Saint Vincent in Riverdale, New York.Claudette DavisThomas M. Onorato (tonorato@lagcc.cuny.edu) is a professor of biology, Jacqueline A. Brashears (jbrashears@lagcc.cuny.edu) is an associate professor of biology, Claudette Davis (cldavis@lagcc.cuny.edu) is an associate professor of biology, Ian Alberts (ialberts@lagcc.cuny.edu) is a professor of chemistry, and Ingrid D. Veras (iveras@lagcc.cuny.edu) is an associate professor of biology, all in the Department of Natural Sciences at LaGuardia Community College of the City University of New York in Long Island City, New York. Nathalie Oulhen (nathalie_oulhen@brown.edu) is a research assistant professor, Gerardo Reyes (gerardo_reyes_chavez@brown.edu) is a doctoral student, Stephany Foster (stephany_foster@alumni.brown.edu) is a PhD graduate, Cosmo A. Pieplow (cosmo_pieplow@brown.edu) is a postdoctoral fellow, and Gary M. Wessel (Gary_Wessel@brown.edu) is a professor, all in in the Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. Janet E. Rollins (janet.rollins@mountsaintvincent.edu) is an associate professor of chemistry in the Division of Natural Sciences at the College of Mount Saint Vincent in Riverdale, New York.Ian AlbertsThomas M. Onorato (tonorato@lagcc.cuny.edu) is a professor of biology, Jacqueline A. Brashears (jbrashears@lagcc.cuny.edu) is an associate professor of biology, Claudette Davis (cldavis@lagcc.cuny.edu) is an associate professor of biology, Ian Alberts (ialberts@lagcc.cuny.edu) is a professor of chemistry, and Ingrid D. Veras (iveras@lagcc.cuny.edu) is an associate professor of biology, all in the Department of Natural Sciences at LaGuardia Community College of the City University of New York in Long Island City, New York. Nathalie Oulhen (nathalie_oulhen@brown.edu) is a research assistant professor, Gerardo Reyes (gerardo_reyes_chavez@brown.edu) is a doctoral student, Stephany Foster (stephany_foster@alumni.brown.edu) is a PhD graduate, Cosmo A. Pieplow (cosmo_pieplow@brown.edu) is a postdoctoral fellow, and Gary M. Wessel (Gary_Wessel@brown.edu) is a professor, all in in the Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. Janet E. Rollins (janet.rollins@mountsaintvincent.edu) is an associate professor of chemistry in the Division of Natural Sciences at the College of Mount Saint Vincent in Riverdale, New York.Ingrid D. VerasThomas M. Onorato (tonorato@lagcc.cuny.edu) is a professor of biology, Jacqueline A. Brashears (jbrashears@lagcc.cuny.edu) is an associate professor of biology, Claudette Davis (cldavis@lagcc.cuny.edu) is an associate professor of biology, Ian Alberts (ialberts@lagcc.cuny.edu) is a professor of chemistry, and Ingrid D. Veras (iveras@lagcc.cuny.edu) is an associate professor of biology, all in the Department of Natural Sciences at LaGuardia Community College of the City University of New York in Long Island City, New York. Nathalie Oulhen (nathalie_oulhen@brown.edu) is a research assistant professor, Gerardo Reyes (gerardo_reyes_chavez@brown.edu) is a doctoral student, Stephany Foster (stephany_foster@alumni.brown.edu) is a PhD graduate, Cosmo A. Pieplow (cosmo_pieplow@brown.edu) is a postdoctoral fellow, and Gary M. Wessel (Gary_Wessel@brown.edu) is a professor, all in in the Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. Janet E. Rollins (janet.rollins@mountsaintvincent.edu) is an associate professor of chemistry in the Division of Natural Sciences at the College of Mount Saint Vincent in Riverdale, New York.Gary M. WesselThomas M. Onorato (tonorato@lagcc.cuny.edu) is a professor of biology, Jacqueline A. Brashears (jbrashears@lagcc.cuny.edu) is an associate professor of biology, Claudette Davis (cldavis@lagcc.cuny.edu) is an associate professor of biology, Ian Alberts (ialberts@lagcc.cuny.edu) is a professor of chemistry, and Ingrid D. Veras (iveras@lagcc.cuny.edu) is an associate professor of biology, all in the Department of Natural Sciences at LaGuardia Community College of the City University of New York in Long Island City, New York. Nathalie Oulhen (nathalie_oulhen@brown.edu) is a research assistant professor, Gerardo Reyes (gerardo_reyes_chavez@brown.edu) is a doctoral student, Stephany Foster (stephany_foster@alumni.brown.edu) is a PhD graduate, Cosmo A. Pieplow (cosmo_pieplow@brown.edu) is a postdoctoral fellow, and Gary M. Wessel (Gary_Wessel@brown.edu) is a professor, all in in the Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. Janet E. Rollins (janet.rollins@mountsaintvincent.edu) is an associate professor of chemistry in the Division of Natural Sciences at the College of Mount Saint Vincent in Riverdale, New York.