WG2 meeting 2023-11-08

WG2 (Food and Nutrition Security)

Meeting Minutes

November 8, 2023

Participants: Derek Johnson, Rotimi Aluko, Huan Sun, and Mahfuzar Rahman.

Discussions and decisions:

Derek: Regarding the DFM project, we have time until the middle of 2026. Huna’s MS research aligns with DFM, but considering the project’s timeline, we have to find other funding sources for Huan’s PhD. I also have submitted a proposal for NFRF. Regarding DFM, I would like to see more integration in the second phase.

Outlined the components of the NFRF project, mentioning a focus on indigenous economic aspects. Highlights the potential structural changes (e.g., moving the large-sized fish for the upper class and small fish for the mid and low-income people) in dried fish consumption and their impact on nutrition, which could form the basis of Huan’s PhD research.

However, there is a challenge with NFRF funding; it only confirms funding for the first two years initially.

Rotimi: In terms of funding support for Huan, possibilities include the UMGF after publishing a paper from her MS. PhD research needs to be original and deeper. For Huan’s PhD, we need a more in-depth approach, focusing on why things are happening rather than just describing what is happening.

We must also consider the importance of sufficient sampling. The time between harvesting and processing can have nutritional implications. Even the storing timing can have nutritional implications. To capture these variables, we need a sufficient sample.

Derek: We have IISER (India) and your (Rotimi) lab for analysis. IISER is well-funded and provides credible international certification, so we can have analysis there at a comparatively lower cost.

Rotimi: I don’t see any problem with having a large data set; we only need Huan to train well on the analysis. Huan can go there (IISER) for three months and learn their techniques. We can also train her here at UoM.

Huan has some preliminary skills in data analysis, but she needs further specialized training. The Community Health Department can provide the training, so it shouldn’t be a problem.

Derek: Huna might need to do some socio-economic courses when thinking about community economic implications, or she can also do community health courses.

If the NFRF funding is approved, we have lots of promising ideas for Huan’s PhD work. She will have the opportunity to work with international organizations and possibly secure a postdoctoral position at FAO with the skills she achieved in her PhD.

Rotimi: Are we moving out of Bangladesh?

Derek: If we receive the NFRF funds, we will expand to West Africa and Peru. If not, with the DFM project, we will focus on Bangladesh, possibly expanding to other DFM countries.

Rotimi: For analysis, we can look for contaminations, toxins, microplastics, sands and other components.

Derek: I see two possible directions for DFM. 1. A broader sample 2. A broader range of contamination.

If we don’t secure NFRF funding, we will have a challenge to fund Huan and continue the momentum. In this case, we may need to rely solely on DFM funds. I would likely argue for allocating DFM funding for Huan for the rest of the project’s duration. Would you like to start a PhD for Huan with this arrangement?

Rotimi: The NFRF results will be available in February. Even if we don’t receive NFRF,  and if DFM can fund her for the rest of the project life, then we can manage funds for the rest of her PhD period. She can likely get the UMGF with the quality of her MS work.

If DFM funds the first two years of Huan’s PhD, we can definitely fund her for the rest of the PhD.

Derek: Following this meeting, we will set up the WG 2 meeting and make some budgetary decisions for Huan. I propose writing a two-page discussion plan and circulating it to the WG2 members before the meeting, sharing it with you first.

I will update PB (IISER) and would like to include him in WG2 if he is still interested. Also, I would like to include Nikita, who works on transboundary issues.

I know Shakuntala and Ben are keen on fostering this partnership.

Rotimi: For the NFRF project, what will be your role? Are you supervising?

Derek: It will likely be the same as the DFM project. There will be three teams in NFRF – two West African teams and India. There will be two postdocs with two African teams managing their research. Huan will manage the research on our side.

If NFRF doesn’t work, we can look for other possibilities.