NC State Online Offers New Growth Opportunity with Regulatory Science in Agriculture Certificate Program

After spending more than 10 years in the agriculture research field contributing to developing sustainable pest management strategies, Swapna Priya Rajarapu discovered that NC State was the only school that offered a Graduate Certificate in Regulatory Science in Agriculture program — a perfect fit to fulfill her desire to learn more about the role of regulatory science in agriculture.

Due to the flexibility of this online and distance education program, Rajarapu enrolled in the spring semester of 2024 and completed all the required courses in time to graduate in December of 2024. 

“Without the support of my supervisor, Assistant Professor Justin Whitehill, I wouldn’t have been able to complete the courses,” Rajarapu said. “The flexibility of having the option to attend the classes asynchronously or synchronously (to benefit from class discussions) and manage my workload accordingly allowed me sufficient time to take the necessary assessments for my courses.”

Rajarapu worked as a research associate in NC State’s Whitehill Lab Christmas Tree Genetics Program on Centennial Campus last year. Currently, she is working in a new position as an Assistant Professor of the Christmas Tree Extension Program at Oregon State University.

This certificate is designed for students who have completed a bachelor’s degree in agriculture, chemistry, biochem, toxicology, food or life science and desire additional training in regulatory sciences in their respective fields. Students currently enrolled in a graduate degree are also eligible for this certificate.

Area of Focus and Program Experience Highlights

Rajarapu has a special interest in transgenic plants — plants that have been genetically modified to possess a new trait that is not naturally present in them. The modification process happens by introducing genes from bacteria or other resistant plants through direct DNA methods or Agrobacterium-mediated transformations. Once the modification is achieved, these genetically engineered plants can display traits such as pest resistance and herbicide tolerance.

“I am interested in transgenic plants carrying pest-resilient traits because they can contribute to sustainable agricultural practices by decreasing pesticide usage,” Rajarapu said. “Transgenic plants showing resilient traits cannot be marketed without a thorough evaluation of potential risks and hazards to the environment, humans, and animals. Regulatory affairs and science play a primary role in determining the risks and hazards posed by a new agricultural product and I want to understand this process in order to make a positive impact on safe new alternatives that are environmentally sound.”

Rajarapu credits the guidance and support of faculty members for helping her to achieve her goals.

 “The most exciting part of the courses led by Professor and Director of Undergraduate Programs Keith Edmisten was the opportunity to learn from and interact with professionals from various private and public sectors in the regulatory affairs and science fields,” Rajarapu said. “The choice of electives for the graduate certificate is very diverse. I enrolled in environmental monitoring and environmental exposure assessment courses taught by Professor Elizabeth Nichols and Lecturer Stephen Graham, respectively. I gained new knowledge in these subjects. I was grateful for the opportunities created to interact with fellow students and the instructors.”

“My overall experience as a distance education student exceeded my expectations,” she said.

In addition, Rajarapu was impressed with Edmisten’s extensive network of professionals in the regulatory science field. When there were speakers invited into his class, Rajarapu said she benefitted from hearing about their career paths and their inspirational career trajectories.

Rajarapu highly recommends taking distance education courses offered by NC State Online. She appreciated the flexibility of the course and the availability of the instructors to offer virtual meetings for personalized assistance and program guidance.

Are you interested in advancing your career with a degree from NC State Online? Visit the program page or online.ncsu.edu/programs for a full list of degree and certificate programs.