Her duties have included teaching botany, plant physiology, horticulture, fundamentals of biology, medicinal plants, sustainable agriculture, and serving as the Director of the campus greenhouse. She received a B.S. in Botany from Duke University, a M.S. in Botany from the University of Florida, Gainesville, and a Ph.D. in Horticulture from the University of Florida, Gainesville. Research was in the primary metabolism and carbon partitioning in grapefruit and transmission electron microscopy of the source-sink pathway. She did post-doctoral work with the USDA in Peoria, IL as a biochemist in soybean oligosaccharides before joining Central State University in 1989. Dr. Lowell maintains a research program in directed energy weed control. She mentors undergraduate students in funded research projects who have gone on to present at local, state and national conferences.

She did post-doctoral work with the USDA in Peoria, IL as a biochemist in soybean oligosaccharides before joining Central State University in 1989. Dr. Lowell maintains a research program in directed energy to kill weeds as an integrated pest management strategy. She mentors undergraduate students in funded research projects who have gone on to present at local, state and national conferences.

Near-term processing of cellulosic materials requires them to be scalable in material properties for scaled up manufacturing purposes. The use of cellulosic materials is gaining favor in production applications because the synthesis and extraction of cellulose can be a green process from start to finish and is renewable in nature. The implementation and integration of natural products into manufacturing engineering education at Central State University (CSU), an 1890 Land Grant Institution located in Wilberforce Ohio, incorporates a local supply chain found in the Tawawa Woods that is sustainable and minimizes waste recycle. Thus, undergraduate students enrolled in the College of Science and Engineering search out suitable starting cellulosic materials for use in manufacturing applications. They investigate different natural and synthetic cellulosic materials and then initiate various surface, chemical, electrical and mechanical property measurements with these materials. They identify readily available starting reagent materials (natural and synthetic) that are appropriate for extraction of cellulose. Following identification of test reagents, a statistical experimental design matrix is compiled. The matrix used guides the synthesis and extraction experiments. It is possible that the resultant cellulosic fibers may accept the natural and synthetic colorants. The purpose of color enhancement is to determine feasibility and longevity of its use with different celluloses as starting electrode materials. Promising results may lead to production of novel biomaterials, polymeric materials, and composite materials as well as compliant sensing materials capable of being modified for different applications. Assessment results point to greater engagement of minority learners. These students tended to spend more than eight hours per week in the laboratories, often well into the evening, working on their manufactured samples produced from natural resources. IntroductionA recent study noted that the quality of diversity interactions were related to 2 different outcomes: the need for cognition and critical thinking skills.1 Integration of research and development in the classroom and laboratory as a teaching strategy for student engagement and learning 2 is a practice that facilitates positive interactions among students, faculty, and the extended community.1-6 Implementation of interdisciplinary research experiences that are realworld and team based combining undergraduate students from science and engineering disciplines with faculty in higher education alongside middle and high school in-service and preservice science and engineering educators creates Capstone experiences that are of intellectual interest to the undergraduate student.