Rachael Cox of Ames was awarded the John Chrystal Award during the 2006 World Food Prize Laureate Ceremony on October 19, 2006 at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines.
Cox, a 2005 graduate of Ames High School, is currently in her second year at Iowa State University studying Agronomy with a minor in International Agriculture. She is being recognized for her outstanding work as a 2005 World Food Prize Borlaug-Ruan Intern at the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) in Nairobi, Kenya.
In her eight-week internship, Cox worked under the mentorship of Dr. Bernhard Loehr, Head of ICIPE’s Plant Health Division, and his team. His Division hosted and mentored Rachael in their program under the Diamond Black Moth (DBM) project. She worked on the field mortality factors of DBM eggs and larvae in semi-arid crucifer growing conditions.
The John Chrystal Award was established in 2001 in the spirit of John Chrystal's commitment to enriching Iowa's relationship with the world and his belief that everyone is entitled to a sense of dignity and adequate food. The award is presented annually to the Intern who most strongly reflects Mr. Chrystal’s commitment.
Cox was selected as a Borlaug-Ruan International Intern after completing the World Food Prize Youth Institute in October of 2004. The Youth Institute, a prerequisite for International Internship eligibility, exposes young Iowans to opportunities associated with careers in food, agriculture and natural resource disciplines. Youth Institute participants interact with World Food Prize Laureates and Nobel Prize Laureate Dr. Norman Borlaug to discuss issues relating to food security throughout the world.
Cox received her award prior to the awarding of the 2006 World Food Prize to Edson Lobato and Alysson Paolinelli of Brazil and A. Colin McClung of the United States. The event was televised live on Iowa Public Television beginning at 7:00 p.m. on October 19. The three 2006 World Food Prize Laureates worked to take the Cerrado region of Brazil from one of the most infertile to one of the most agriculturally productive in the world.
VIEW MS. COX'S PAPER
Borlaug-Ruan Internship