International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center
The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) in Ankara, Turkey has hosted seven high school interns since 2009.
Established in 1943, CIMMYT is a non-profit research and training center that works to sustainably increase the productivity of maize and wheat systems to ensure global food security and reduce poverty by bringing together public research and extension organizations, private companies, advanced research institutes, NGOs, and farmer associations in countries worldwide.
CIMMYT carries out research and development in plant breeding, genetic resources, sustainable production, and socioeconomics.
Headquartered in El Batan, Mexico, CIMMYT has research centers in fourteen countries.
Interns at CIMMYT work alongside renowned international researchers and experts - like Dr. Julie Nichols - in the field villages of Cifteler, Haymana, and Konya.
The students also have the opportunity to travel around Turkey with their host families and colleagues to see the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, the Ankara Citadel, Roman baths, State Art and Sculpture and Art Museum, Atakule Tower, Temple of Augustus and Rome, Column of Julian, Anitkabir Masoleum, Kosatepe Mosque, and the Head Office of Turkish State Theatres.
Images licensed by CC-BY-SA and GFDL (courtesy: Bjorn Christian Torrissen, Jarekt, Scisa, Atilim Gunes Baydin, and Memocan)
Student Research Projects
Enhancing Resistance in High Yielding Adapted Germplasm to Major Wheat Soil Borne Diseases (2015)
Tackling Soil Borne Pathogens and Alleviating Hunger One Nematode and Fungi at a Time (2014)
Screening Wheat Germplasm at the Soil Borne Pathogens Program (2013)
Developing Screening Protocols for Crown Rot and Cereal Cyst Nematodes (2012)
Analyzing Soil Borne Pathogens and Genetic Host Resistance of Wheat (2011)