Hannibal Brooks, double-major in food science and economics, recently began work as an undergraduate research scholar under the direction of Dr. Kelley Wamsley, assistant professor in the Department of Poultry Science. Brooks will study various antibiotic alternatives to hopefully provide a practical replacement for antibiotics in poultry feed.

Hannibal attributes his interest in undergraduate research to several academic and extracurricular endeavors. He said an interesting variety of classes, the Food Science Club, the MSU Food Science Quiz Bowl, studying Mandarin Chinese, and more help him see the bigger picture and expand his world view-critical assets when approaching research.

He said his participation in the Food Science Club exposed him to graduate students working on projects while his spot on the Food Science Quiz Team revealed exciting new subject matter.

He was also inspired by the Sweet Potato Innovation Challenge he participated in while in Dr. Wes Schilling's Special Topics: Sweet Potato Food Product Development course.

"In that course, I gained practical experience about the standard processes involved in bringing a new product to market," Hannibal said. "I believe that knowledge will transfer well as I pursue research."

Hannibal spent the summer interning with the USDA's Food and Nutrition Service in Washington, D.C., is part of the MSU Silver Screeners Film Society, and serves as an ambassador for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.