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The first purpose of this trip was to strengthen existing research collaborations with a faculty member from the University of Manizales and with a coffee researcher from Cenicafé who had previously spent two months working in my lab in Fall 2022. Interactions with these researchers have resulted in manuscript drafts we are in the process of publishing.
The second purpose was to explore the opportunity for two-month study abroad experiences for NC State undergraduates. Planning for this experience is ongoing.