Researchers came together on March 13 at the MSU Union to discuss the interconnected challenges and opportunities of food, health, community, and environment at the interdisciplinary research forum, Cultivating Health Across Disciplines.  

Director of MSU AgBioResearch George Smith presented an overview of a transformative approach to thinking about health. This new strategy aligns institutional strengths, teaching initiatives, and community engagement. Highlighting points of convergence for multiple colleges, this process strengthens connections and partnerships, in turn increasing innovation at MSU.

Leaning on the strengths of MSU’s transdisciplinary methodology to solving grand problems, Smith’s strategy described five key areas:

1. Food and agricultural systems. Examples include advancements in sustainable farming practices, precision agriculture, innovative food technologies, and animal health initiatives.
2. Education and Community Engagement. Examples include food literacy, inclusive policy advocacy, and cultural integration.
3. Health and Well-Being. Examples include disease prevention, public health strategies, and holistic care.
4. Communication and Cultural Contexts. Examples include policy advocacy, food literacy, cultural integration, wearable technology, and artificial intelligence.
5. Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Examples include cutting-edge food systems, legal frameworks, and technology-driven solutions.

This strategy outlines opportunities for strengthening MSU’s research portfolio and preparing future leaders to tackle complex challenges of food systems, well-being, and societal health. Additionally, efforts through partners including MSU Extension and Henry Ford Health will empower individuals and communities to thrive because of research by MSU faculty. 

Following Smith’s introduction, three researchers gave presentations which provided additional context and opportunity for this initiative. Bethany Thayer, Director of the Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention at Henry Ford Health (HFH), provided information about the philosophy of wellness at HFH and how this vision shapes their initiatives and programs. Nutrition education and physical activity promotional programs, supplemented with locally grown produce programs like Fresh Rx, have helped the health outcomes of many Michiganders. 

Maria Lapinski, professor in the Department of Communication and MSU AgBioResearch, and director of the Health and Risk Communication Center in the College of Communication Arts and Sciences, presented an overview of health and risk communication. Lapinski described how deeply connected human, animal, and environmental health are, and how crucial communication is at every level. 

Erin Bunting, Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences was the final presenter. Bunting described how remote sensing, from global to local scales, can be used to interpret, understand, and respond to changes in our environment.

Each presenter articulated multiple points of departure for table discussions, aimed at identifying topics or presenters for a series of future research mixers focused on themes that foster interdisciplinary collaborations in food, health, sustainable communities, and a healthy environment.