1996. Post-doctoral Research Project. Oregon State University. My postdoctoral project concerned identifying random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers for self-incompatibility alleles in hazelnut. RAPD marker bands were then cloned, and sequenced to enable the production of longer primers used to obtain sequence characterized amplified regions (SCARs) that will enable marker assisted selection of desired S-alleles in the OSU hazelnut breeding program. Supervisor: Dr. Anita Azarenko.

2017. NIFA Teaching Capacity Building Grant entitled: “Integrating aquaculture in and outside the classroom through innovative hands-on learning opportunities that support STEM education in Kentucky” by Ken Thompson, Kirk Pomper, James Tidwell, Vikas Kumar, Tamara Sluss for $147,469.

2015. Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund grant entitled: “Meeting the Needs of Underserved Farmers through the Center for Sustainability of Farms and Families at Kentucky State University” by. Kirk Pomper, James Tidwell, Sheri Crabtree, and Joni Nelson for $998,000.

2015. SARE Research and Education Grant: Jump Starting New Pawpaw Variety Production for the Industry: Developing Grafting and Top Working Approaches for Growers by Kirk Pomper, Sheri Crabtree, Jeremiah Lowe, and Neal Peterson was funded for $203,395.

2014. Kentucky Horticulture Council. Developing a Trapping System to Manage Spotted Wing Drosophila for Organic Growers of Primocane Fruiting Blackberries and Raspberries. Kirk Pomper, John Sedlacek, Sheri Crabtree, and Jeremiah Lowe for $25,000.

2014. NSF HBCU-UP. Promoting Minority Students Participation in STEM Undergraduate Degree Programs at Kentucky State University by Drs. Teferi Tsegaye, Buddhi Gyawali, Maifan Silitonga, Kirk Pomper, Fariba Bigdeli, Chen Shen, Jenns Hannemann, and Bruce Griffiths, for $500,000.

2013. NIFA Capacity Building Grant entitled “Evaluation and Development of Aquaponics as a Potential Source of Fresh and Safe Vegetables and Fish for Urban Minority Populations” by James Tidwell, Michael Bomford, Kirk Pomper, Avinash Tope, Sid Dasgputa, Forrest Wynne, Charles Shultz, Laura Tiu for $598,360.

2011. A Capacity Building Grant entitled “Development of a Baccalaureate Degree Program in Agriculture, Food, and Environment Supporting Research Opportunities at Kentucky State University,” authored by Kirk Pomper, Michael Bomford, John Sedlacek, George Antonious, Avinash Tope, Ken Andries, and Jim Tidwell for $500,000 was funded by USDA-NIFA.

2011. A grant proposal entitled “The Kentucky State University Primocane Fruiting Blackberry and Raspberry Trial and Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Pest Assessment” which was co-authored by Kirk Pomper and John Sedlacek was submitted in March, 2011 to the Kentucky Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Block Grant Program and was funded for $30,000.

2010. USDA-Capacity Building Grant proposal entitled “A Mobile Kitchen for Fruit and Vegetable Processing Training and Extension Initiatives for Pawpaw and Sorghum Syrup” which was co-authored by Kirk Pomper, Michael Bomford, Marion Simon, Timothy Woods, John Strang, Thomas Cottrell, Robert Perry, Sheri Crabtree, Jeremiah Lowe, and Micheal Parker, was funded for $300,000.

2010. A grant proposal entitled “Mowing of Primocane Blackberries to Manage Stinkbugs Organically” which was co-authored by J. Sedlacek, Kirk Pomper, and Michael Bomford was submitted to the Kentucky Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Block Grant Program and was funded for $20,000.