Evaluation: Changes in transdisciplinary attitudes, be- haviors, and research outputs will be assessed through fac- ulty and scholars focus groups and questionnaires completed by scholars and MPH and PhD cohorts. Conclusions and Implications: The I-TOPP may be- come a model for transdisciplinary training. Funding: USDA, National Institute of Food and Agricul- ture, Grant #2011-67001-30101. UP47 Troth Yeddha’ Nutrition Project: Community Energy from Cultural Synergy S. McConnell, LCSW, ssmcconnell@alaska.edu, Interior– Aleutians Campus, University of Alaska, 4280 Geist Road, Fairbanks, AK 99709 Objective: Increase awareness of a culturally congruent, multidisciplinary education/extension project developing rural and Alaska native community capacity for healthy weight promotion. Description: Postsecondary nutrition science, behavioral health, Alaska native knowledge, and outreach skill educa- tion is delivered to rural and Alaska native students who provide health promotion outreach to their communities. Evaluation: Students have excellent rates of credential completion and advancement to higher-level nutrition study and reported healthy changes in food behaviors. Conclusions and Implications: Culturally congruent, multidisciplinary higher education successfully engages rural and Alaska native students in nutrition education that is applied in their communities, leads to academic suc- cess, and builds a foundation for advanced nutrition edu- cation. Funding: USDA, National Institute of Food and Agricul- ture, Grant #2008-55215-18781; in-kind support from community, tribal, school district, and state entities. UP48 Transdisciplinary Childhood Obesity Prevention (T.O.P.) Graduate Education Certificate Program: Innovative and Multi- institutional T. M. Kemmer, PhD, RD, Teresa.kemmer@sdstate.edu, South Dakota State University, 445 Wagner Hall, Brookings, SD 57007; W. M. Koszewski, PhD, RD, LMNT, University of Nebraska–Lincoln; J. R. Meendering, PhD, ATC, HFS; B. Jensen, MS, RD, LN, South Dakota State University; J. A. Fischer, MS, RD, LMNT, University of Nebraska–Lincoln; S. Stluka, MS, RD, LN; K. Kattelmann, PhD, RD, LN; H. E. Wey, MS, PhD, South Dakota State University; S. Takahashi, PhD, CSCS, HFS, University of Nebraska–Lincoln; E. A. Droke, PhD, RD, LN, South Dakota State University Objective: Implement a transdisciplinary graduate educa- tion program that includes experiential research training in childhood obesity prevention. Description: Via integrative satellite courses, South Da- kota State University and the University of Nebraska– Lincoln faculty prepare students to conduct research on prevention of childhood obesity. Through transdisciplin- ary experiential and research opportunities, students develop and implement evidence-based approaches to obesity prevention. Research focuses on minority, under- served, American Indian, black, and Hispanic populations. Evaluation: Continuous process improvement is incor- porated throughout the program. Conclusions and Implications: Students graduate with a master's or doctoral degree from their respective college and obtain a T.O.P. program certificate on program com- pletion. Funding: USDA, National Institute of Food and Agricul- ture, Grant #2011-67002-30202. UP49 The Pennsylvania State University Childhood Obesity Prevention Transdisciplinary Training Program (PSU COPT) L. L. Birch, PhD, LLB15@psu.edu, Pennsylvania State University, 129 Noll Laboratory, University Park, PA 16802; G. Jensen, MD, PhD; L. Mulfinger, PhD; J. Savage Williams, PhD; S. Zarit, PhD Objective: The Pennsylvania State University is training predoctoral fellows for careers in childhood obesity pre- vention through transdisciplinary coursework, research, and internship experiences. Description: The PSU COPT program integrates social, behavioral, and nutritional approaches to childhood obe- sity prevention through training in 4 programmatic areas: (1) nutritional sciences, (2) child development and family studies, (3) prevention and intervention research, and (4) research methodology and statistics. Evaluation: The evaluation includes trainee evaluation, program evaluation by trainees, and program evaluation by the PSU COPT External Advisory Committee. Conclusions and Implications: The first cohort of 5 PSU COPT fellows is now completing the first year of grad- uate study. Funding: USDA, National Institute of Food and Agricul- ture, Grant #2011-67001-30117. UP50 Development of a Randomized Trial Guided by the Process of PRECEDE-PROCEED for the Prevention of Excessive Weight Gain in Communities of Young Adults K. Kattelmann, PhD, RD, LN, kendra.kattelmann@sdstat. edu, South Dakota State University, Box 2203, SWG 443, HNS Department, Brookings, SD 57006; A. White, PhD, RD, University of Maine; G. Greene, PhD, RD, University of Rhode Island; C. Byrd-Bredbenner, PhD, RD, Rutgers University; T. Horacek, PhD, RD, Syracuse University; S. Hoerr, PhD, RD, Michigan State University; T. Kidd, PhD, RD, Kansas State University; B. Phillips, PhD, RD, Tuskegee University; S. Colby, PhD, RD, University of Tennessee; UP46 (continued) Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior  Volume 44, Number 4S, 2012 USDA NIFA Poster Abstracts S93 Continued on page S94