Associate professor of biotechnology Venkatesh Balan, Ph.D., and assistant professor Abdul Khan, Ph.D., of the Technology Division’s Department of Engineering Technology are collaborating with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Project Remix Ventures as co-program directors on a transformative initiative titled “Urban Bio-Tech Environmental Agricultural Model (UBEAM)”.
This project aims to educate 467 justice-involved youth on “the safe use of biotechnology for food and environmental security” while introducing them to careers in the food, agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences.
Funded by a $749,996 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), the University of Houston will receive $200,000 over the four-year project. Key collaborators include David D. Wright, Program Director at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Diana Rodriguez of Project Remix Ventures, a nonprofit organization committed to empowering justice-involved youth to rebuild their confidence and their communities.
“This project came to us through the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension,” said Balan. “They invited us to partner with them in supporting justice-involved youth who have faced incarceration. The goal is to provide them with a second chance in life by equipping them with valuable biotechnology skills and knowledge.” The UBEAM project represents a collaborative effort to create opportunities for underserved youth, combining scientific education with personal and professional growth to foster a brighter future.
Balan and Khan will train program participants in advanced biotechnology techniques, including producing algal biomass as food and biomaterial, and cultivating plants through hydroponics and aeroponic systems, focusing on food crops.
“Plant biotechnology is a crucial field, with immense potential for biomanufacturing and the development of high-yield plant products,” said Khan. “Equipping justice-involved youth with skills in high-tech farming can contribute to building more sustainable and resilient communities.”
Balan emphasized the program’s impact on participants’ future” “Learning these techniques will provide them with valuable skills to secure employment and build a productive life upon reentering society. Opportunities are growing in areas like algae cultivation and indoor hydroponic facilities for crops such as lentils and microgreens. Beyond biotechnology, participants will also receive training in nutrition and culinary science. We hope this program becomes a transformative experience, offering these students a fresh start and a pathway to meaningful careers.”
“Alternative farming skills for cultivating high-value crops can pave the way for sustainable livelihoods,” agreed Khan.
Balan reflected on his initial encounter with programs like those offered by The Opportunity Center, which was introduced to him through this project. His first visit left a profound impact.
“I knew I had to do something for these students,” he said. “They need genuine support, and by equipping them with practical skills, we can help redirect their paths towards becoming positive contributors to society.”
He continued, “Every human being is entitled to basic necessities: food, water, education. Unfortunately, we live in a system that prioritizes profit above everything else. The system is not often fails those who need it the most help, labeling them as ‘bad’ and leaving them behind. That’s where these young individuals find themselves, and that why they need programs like this”
Balan concluded, “My mission has always been to leverage my education and expertise to benefit the community. I may not have the financial resources to give, but through my inventions, innovation and knowledge, I can make a difference—whether by training, educating, or developing solutions that serve the community. That’s what drives me.”