Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

The 2026 NC-1194 Annual Meeting was held August 11-12, 2026, in a hybrid format hosted by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The meeting was chaired by Yi-Cheng Wang, and members from participating stations provided updates on ongoing research activities involving nanotechnology, biosensors, environmental monitoring, food safety, agricultural applications, artificial intelligence, and nanomaterial risk assessment.

Administrative updates were provided by Tala Awada, Administrative Advisor, and Steven Thomson, USDA-NIFA National Program Leader. Discussions focused on reporting requirements, renewal of the NC-1194 project for the 2026-2030 cycle, evolving USDA funding priorities, stakeholder engagement, technology translation, and increasing emphasis on implementation-focused research. Members were also informed of anticipated changes to USDA-NIFA programs, increasing proposal pressure, and opportunities for strengthening Extension and industry partnerships.

The committee received a presentation from Matt Stasiewicz regarding the S1077 multistate project, Enhancing Microbial Food Safety by Risk Analysis, and discussed opportunities for collaboration involving biosensors, food safety, stakeholder engagement, and joint proposal development.

A substantial portion of the meeting was devoted to strategic planning activities focused on increasing collaboration among NC-1194 members. Discussions centered on multi-author review papers, collaborative proposal development, integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning with biosensor technologies, stakeholder engagement, and opportunities to increase multidisciplinary participation in future projects. Potential review paper topics included AI-enabled biosensors, biosensors and nanotechnology in agriculture, and the role of machine learning in agricultural sensing and environmental monitoring.

The committee elected new officers for the 2026-2027 reporting year: Diana Vanegas (University of Arkansas) as Chair, Olga Tsyusko-Unrine (University of Kentucky) as Vice Chair/Chair-Elect, and Hazal Turasan (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign) as Secretary. Members also discussed possible locations and formats for the 2027 annual meeting, emphasizing opportunities to strengthen interactions with stakeholders, industry partners, and extension personnel.

Full meeting minutes are available through NIMSS project records.

The accomplishments of the NC-1194 group during the reporting period in relation to each of the project objectives are summarized below.

Objective 1: Develop new technologies for characterizing fundamental nanoscale processes and fabricate self-assembled nanostructures

Outputs: Research activities across participating stations advanced the understanding and application of nanoscale materials and nanostructures in environmental, agricultural, food, and biomedical systems. Efforts included development of nanozyme and single-atom nanozyme platforms (WI), graphene quantum dots and carbon nanotube systems (SC), nanogel fungicide delivery systems (IL), carbon-based nanocarriers for agrochemical delivery and tracing within plants (IN), spectroscopic imaging methods and AI-assisted models to characterize protein-nanoplastic interactions, approaches to understand and manipulate soil microbial communities associated with greenhouse gas emissions, and methods for environmental monitoring and risk assessment of nano- and microplastics (IA), pressure-stabilized enzyme systems (FL), laser-induced graphene (LIG) nanostructures (AR), PFAS-remediation nanomaterials (KY), and paper microfluidic sensing platforms (AZ). Research also expanded the use of sustainable agricultural biomass-derived nanomaterials and biochar-enabled materials for environmental and agricultural applications.

Objective 2:Develop devices and systems incorporating nanotechnology and data-driven analytics for detection of biological/chemical targets, with an emphasis on detection of infectious diseases in plants, animals, humans, and the environment

Outputs: Members reported the development and advancement of numerous biosensing technologies for detecting biological and chemical targets. These included:

• Aptamer-based biosensors for detecting E. coli in hydroponic systems and wastewater-amended agricultural environments (AR).
• Copper nanoparticle-mediated sensors for glyphosate monitoring in environmentally impacted communities (AR).
• Smartphone-enabled biosensors and decentralized pathogen diagnostics for Salmonella and Campylobacter detection (MI).
• Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)-based technologies for pesticide and contaminant detection (MO, IL).
• Paper microfluidic systems, PFAS sensing technologies, and smartphone-based diagnostics (AZ).
• Nanozyme-based sensors for food contaminants, pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals, and mycotoxins (IL).
• Nanomaterial-enabled time-temperature indicators and intelligent packaging systems for food quality monitoring (IL).
• Portable immunosensors for rapid, label-free detection of pathogens and antibiotic-resistant bacteria (IA).
• Graphene-based potentiometric ion-selective electrodes and laser-induced graphene platforms for environmental sensing, nutrient monitoring, biosensing, energy storage, and catalysis applications (IA).
• Aptasensor technologies for early detection of plant stress associated with fungal and pathogen attacks (IA).
• Chitosan nanoparticle-based selenium delivery systems for agricultural applications (IA).
• Safety assessments of Iron-dopped hydroxyapatites developed for foliar delivery of nitrogen (KY)
• Detection and characterization of nano- and microplastic contamination in aquatic systems and assessment of nanoplastic impacts on biological development and ecosystem health (IA).
• Safety and efficacy assessment of 2D nanomaterial-enabled application for PFAS removal and destruction (KY)
• Development of functional food technologies designed to enhance nutritional value and food quality (IA).

Collectively, these studies advanced low-cost, portable, and field-deployable biosensing technologies for agricultural, environmental, food safety, and biomedical applications.

Objective 3: Advance the integration of novel sensor networks, information systems, and artificial intelligence for effective risk assessment and decision support for food security and safety

Outputs: Several stations reported integration of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and advanced analytics into sensing applications. Research activities included machine learning-enhanced Raman spectroscopy platforms (UT, MO), AI-assisted characterization of protein-nanoplastic interactions and predictive models for assessing nanoplastic binding behavior (IA), smartphone-enabled multispectral sensing and machine learning approaches for environmental monitoring (AZ), and predictive modeling efforts involving biosensor-generated datasets. Significant discussion among members focused on future opportunities to integrate biosensors, AI, machine learning, and large language models into agricultural decision-support systems, precision agriculture applications, environmental monitoring, and risk prediction frameworks.

Objective 4: Develop and update education and outreach materials on nanofabrication, sensing, systems integration and application risk assessment.

Outputs: Educational and workforce development activities continued to be a major component of NC-1194 efforts. Participating stations reported graduate and undergraduate student training in biosensors, nanotechnology, AI applications, environmental monitoring, food safety, and agricultural engineering. New educational initiatives included training in agricultural AI and instrumentation (UT), participatory environmental monitoring approaches in rural communities (AR), and research experiences for undergraduate, community college, and high school students focused on wearable graphene-based biosensor development (IA). Members also identified opportunities to expand engagement with extension specialists and stakeholder groups in future project activities. Strengthening global collaboration was also a major effort (MI).

Objective 5: Increase the number academic-industry partnerships to help move the developed technologies to commercialization phase.

Outputs: The committee emphasized the importance of increasing stakeholder engagement and expanding industry partnerships to improve technology translation and adoption. Multiple stations reported collaborations with industry partners, agricultural producers, and food system stakeholders. Notable activities included participation in an Industry-University Cooperative Research Center (IUCRC) focused on soil dynamics technologies and collaborations among multiple universities and industry partners to advance sensing and monitoring technologies (IA). During strategic planning activities, members discussed incorporating industry representatives, end users, extension specialists, and entrepreneurs into proposal development efforts and future meetings. Particular attention was given to identifying stakeholder needs early in the technology development process and designing biosensor technologies that address real-world agricultural, environmental, and food system challenges.

1. Anhong Zhou (PI), et al, Establishing Instrument-driven Learning for Utah`s Youth Agriculture Program, NIFA Grant#2026-67038-46077
2. Carmen Gomes. NSF-funded Industry-University Cooperative Research Center (IUCRC) focused on soil dynamics technologies and environmental sensing applications.
3. J Claussen, K Parate, MC Hersam, SV Rangnekar. US patent 19/182,045, Aerosol jet printed flexible graphene circuits for electrochemical sensing and biosensing.
4. Yoon, J.-Y. Portable Micro- and Nanoplastics Detection. Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST). Renewal for AY 2026-2027. $80k.
5. Yoon, J.-Y. & Reynolds, K.A. Portable PFAS Detection. Tucson Water. Renewal for AY 2026-2027. $25k.
6. Alocilja, E. PARTNERSHIP: Development of a Nanoparticle-enabled Enrichment and DNA-Biosensing for Onsite Monitoring of Multiple Foodborne Pathogens in Large Samples; Funding: USDA-AFRI
7. Alocilja, E. Development of an ASFV Nano-Biosensor for Discriminating Between Infected and Vaccinated Animals (ASFV-DIVA Biosensor; Funding: USDA-ARS
8. Alocilja, E. Development of a Biosensing System for Rapid and Integrated Genome-to-Phenome Antimicrobial Resistance Testing (BRIGHT); Funding: MSU AgBioResearch
9. Alocilja, E. Optimizing a Nano-Biosensor for Rapid Detection of the African Swine Fever; M-AAA program
10. Faculty for the Future Fellowship for Dr. Mwangala; Funding: Schlumberger Foundation, Faculty for the Future Program
11. Alocilja, E. Faculty for the Future Fellowship for Dr. Sulaimon; Funding: Schlumberger Foundation, Faculty for the Future Program
12. Alocilja, E. Joining efforts to detect an emerging myxozoan fish parasite in the Great Lakes basin; Funding: MSU-TETRAD
13. Alocilja, E. On-Farm and Processing Plant Trial of Nano-biosensor technology for Salmonella rapid testing; Funding: M-AAA Program
14. Advanced the development, validation, and deployment of nanoparticle-based biosensor technologies for rapid detection of foodborne pathogens, animal diseases, and antimicrobial resistance targets, including African swine fever virus, Dengue virus, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella enterica, and carbapenem resistance genes. (MI)
15. Expanded national and international collaborations and strengthened the scientific foundation for portable, low-cost diagnostic technologies through peer-reviewed publications, technical presentations, and research dissemination activities. (MI)
16. Implemented safety and sustainability by design framework for nano-enabled applications in agriculture (nitrogen fertilizers) and environmental remediation (PFAS removal) (KY)
17. Successfully organized and hosted the Global Alliance for Rapid Diagnostics (GARD) Forum 2025, engaging more than 500 virtual participants from 38 countries and promoting interdisciplinary collaboration in agriculture, food safety, environmental monitoring, and global health. (MI)
18. Secured four newly funded research projects supporting continued advancement and translation of nano-biosensor technologies. (MI)
19. Increased public awareness and understanding of biosensors, nanotechnology, and rapid diagnostic technologies through outreach activities including the Michigan State University Science Festival, Distinguished Scholarship event, and World Food Prize Michigan Youth Institute. (MI)
20. Provided research training and mentorship opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students and visiting scholars, including recognition of two undergraduate researchers with awards at the 2025 ASABE Annual International Meeting. (MI)

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13. Fan X, Wang Y, Liang W, Ma X, Zhang W and Yu C. 2026. Organic fertilizers reduce N2O and NH3 emissions by regulation soil nitrogen pool and microbiome, Journal of Environmental Management, 404, 129432, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2026.129432
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17. Sommer Osman, Sanduni U. Devasinghe, E. Strait, Madison, C. Pola, Cicero, Delphine Dean, C. L. Gomes, Robbyn K. Anand. 2026. Label-free, non-optical detection of intact SARS-CoV-2 virions in native human saliva via microscale surface ion conduction, Biosensors and Bioelectronics, 304, 118643
18. Gustavo L. Milião; Janan Hui; Raquel R A Soares; Haoyang You; Kayla Vittore; Cicero C. Pola; Ethan H. Leung; DoKyoung Lee; Stuart J. Rowan; Carmen L. Gomes; Mark C. Hersam ; Jonathan C. Claussen. 2026. Screen-Printed Biochar-Derived Graphene Solid-Contact Ion-Selective Electrodes for Nutrient Monitoring in Hydroponic Solutions, ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 18 (29): 39865–39878
19. Nathan M Jared, Griffin Ellis, Mahmoud Gshash, Ethan H Leung, Gustavo L Milião, Michelle Soupir, Nathan M Neihart, Jonathan C Claussen. 2026. Lab-on-a-Drone: Real-Time Electrochemical Sensing of Nitrate in Agricultural Watersheds, ACS sensors 11 (1), 136-147
20. Eric A Riddell, Rachel M Sorensen, Elizabeth McNeill, Boris Jovanović. 2025. Metabolic effects of dietary exposure to polystyrene microplastic and nanoplastic in fruit flies, Journal of Experimental Biology, 228,19, jeb250522. https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.250522
21. H Dey, N Alimoradi, A Farshad, P Shrotriya, M Nilsen-Hamilton. 2026. Abstract 2042 DNA aptamers recognizing cysteine protease 1 from maize roots for early plant stress biomarker detection, Journal of Biological Chemistry 302 (5)
22. Aishat Abubakar, Samuel Shobade, Nima Alimoradi, Ali Farshad, Holly Loper, Pranav Shrotriya, Larry Halverson, Marit Nilsen-Hamilton. 2026. Abstract 3625 DNA aptamers for early detection of plant and bacterial-derived rhizosphere-associated chitinases using an aptasensor, Journal of Biological Chemistry 302 (5)
23. Michelle Thayer, Marit Nilsen-Hamilton. 2026. Reduced PAI-1 Activity Promotes Longevity and Stress Resilience: Insights from a Drosophila Spn42Dd Model, AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 196 (5)
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27. Mathews, K., Eby, A. J., Reynolds, J., Wong, R. K., Yoon, J.-Y. (2026). Rapid Antithrombin Assay from Human Blood Plasma Utilizing Smartphone-Based Flow Observation on Paper Chips. PLOS Digital Health, 5(2): e0001209. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pdig.0001209
28. Williams M, Faraj R, Nyarku R, Simon S, Bentum KE, Ghazy A, Woube Y, Samuel T, Alocilja E, Abebe W3. 2025. Potential use of Biosensors for the rapid and specific isolation of Listeria monocytogenes from Ready-to-eat (RTE) foods, Pathogens 2025, 14(12), 1280; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14121280
29. Boodoo C1 and Alocilja EC3. 2025. Proof-of-Concept Nanoparticle-Based Biosensor for Detecting the African Swine Fever Virus Across Multiple Genotypes Using In Silico and In Vitro Approaches, ACS Omega 2025, 10, 51028−51038, https://doi/10.1021/acsomega.5c05375
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31. Al Hafi L1 and Alocilja EC3. 2025. Morphometric Characterization of Bacteria Associated with Bacteremia, Encyclopedia, 2025, 5(3), 130; https://doi.org/10.3390/encyclopedia5030130
32. Kao K1 and Alocilja EC3. 2025. Integrated Sample to Detection of Carbapenem-Resistant Bacteria Extracted from Water Samples using a Portable Gold Nanoparticle-based Biosensor, Sensors, 2025, 25, 5293, https://doi.org/10.3390/s25175293
33. Kao K1 and Alocilja EC3. 2025. A Review of the Diagnostic Approaches for the Detection of Antimicrobial Resistance, including the Role of Biosensors in Detecting Carbapenem Resistance Genes, Genes 2025, 16(7), 794; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16070794
34. Zapater JE, Elegado FB, Suministrado MKC, Merca FE, Aguila MJB, Fernando-Corpuz LM, and Alocilja EC. 2025. Hyperinvasive locus A gene-based electrochemical nanobiosensor for rapid detection of Salmonella enterica in chicken eggshell matrices, Food Research, 9(3):303-311 (June 2025), DOI: https://doi.org/10.26656/fr.2017.9(3).368
35. Al Hafi L1, Franco AJ1, Kao K1, Alocilja EC3. 2025. Field Guide: Morphometric Visualization and Characterization of Selected Foodborne Pathogens Using Advanced Imaging Techniques, Encyclopedia 2025, 5(2), 47; https://doi.org/10.3390/encyclopedia5020047
36. Mayaka R1 and Alocilja EC3. 2025. Genomic nano-biosensor for rapid detection of carbapenem-resistant gene blaNDM-1 in carbapenemase-producing bacteria, Nanoscale Advances, DOI: 10.1039/D4NA00798K, https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2025/NA/D4NA00798K?page=search
37. Kao K1 and Alocilja EC3. 2025. Parallel Detection of the Unamplified Carbapenem Resistance Genes blaNDM-1 and blaOXA-1 Using a Plasmonic Nano-Biosensor with a Field-Portable DNA Extraction Method, Biosensors 2025, 15, 112. https://doi.org/10.3390/bios15020112 Paper was selected as the edition cover.
38. Franco JA1 and Alocilja EC3. 2025. Adsorption studies of Salmonella Enteritidis and Escherichia coli on chitosan-coated magnetic nanoparticles, Cells 2025, 14, 225. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells14030225
39. Sharief S1, Caliskan-Aydogan O1, Alocilja EC3. 2025. Magnetic extraction for rapid assessment of low-level E. coli and Salmonella contamination in complex food matrices, Food Quality and Safety, Vol. 9, 2025, fyaf007, https://doi.org/10.1093/fqsafe/fyaf007
40. Flores MS, Alocilja EC, Amalin DM, Aguila MJB, Purificacion MV, Merca FE, Manuel MCC, Dimamay MPS, Bautista MAB, Fernando LM. 2025. DNA-based Nanobiosensor for the Colorimetric Detection of Dengue Virus Serotype 2 Synthetic Target Oligonucleotide, Biosensors, 2025, 15(2), 71; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios15020071
41. Sharma B., H. Kohay, S. Sharma, M. Youngblood, J. Cochran, J. Unrine, O. Tsyusko, G. Lowry, J. P. Giraldo. 2025. Controlled Nitrogen Release by Hydroxyapatite Nanomaterials in Leaves Enhances Plant Growth and Nitrogen Uptake, ACS Nano. 19, 3, 3906–3919. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.4c16362
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