2015 Wallace-Carver Fellows
The prestigious USDA Wallace-Carver Fellowship offers the most promising college students in America the opportunity to collaborate with world-renowned scientists, policymakers and public servants through paid internships with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In the Summer of 2015, thirty-one fellows are stationed at USDA research centers and field offices across the country to analyze agricultural and economic policy; assist in the management of food, nutrition and rural development programs; and take part in groundbreaking field and laboratory-based research.
University of Iowa
APARNA AJJARAPU
Placement: ARS Eastern Regional Research Center, Dairy & Functional Foods Research Unit – Wydnmoor, PA
“The Wallace-Carver fellowship has given me the powerful insight that even young people like me can make a positive difference through science and research.”
Georgetown University
RACHEL ANDERSON
Placement: Office of the Secretary, Office of Communication- Washington, DC
“My experience has been an outstanding opportunity to see all of the impressive and important work that USDA is doing for agriculture and rural areas across the country. “
Eastern Carolina University
MIGUEL BEAN
Placement: ARS Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology – Gainesville, FL
“My internship taught me the true meaning of ‘service above self’ learning to conduct research to help our military was a life changing experience.”
Fordham University
CATHERINE CHIODO
Placement: Office of the Secretary, Assistant Secretary of Administration’s Office – Washington, DC
“USDA is providing opportunities for millennials like myself to change
the world and give back through hands on opportunities in the
agricultural field.”
Iowa State University
TRISHA COLLINS
Placement: APHIS Center for Veterinary Biologics, Virology Unit- Ames, IA
“Working with the USDA allowed me to learn more about the animal vaccine industry to prepare me for my veterinary career down the road.”
University of Iowa
HANNAH ERLBACHER
Placement: ARS Produce Safety and Microbiology Research Unit – Albany, CA
“Through the USDA Wallace-Carver Fellowship, I have not only acquired knowledge, new experiences, and strong friendships, but I have also been inspired to make a difference in the world.”
Gordon College
LAUREN FILLEBROWN
Placement: ARS National Agricultural Library – Beltsville, MD
“Interning at the USDA, I discovered that agriculture is more than just farming; agriculture encompasses knowledge, understanding and passion.”
The Ohio State University
DERRICK FRESHCORN
Placement: ARS Eastern Regional Research Center, Sustainable Biofuels and Co-Products Research – Wyndmoore, PA
“My experience as a Wallace-Carver Fellow has really showed what I want for my career and has helped me get closer to finding my passion”
Baylor University
SAMUEL GOSTOMSKI
Placement: Texas Natural Resource Conservation Service – Boerne, TX
“Working with the USDA has opened my eyes to the truly diverse and rewarding nature of work in the field of agriculture.”
University of Wisconsin – Madison
SYDNEY GRAHAM
Placement: ARS Egg Safety and Quality Research Unit – Athens, GA
“Through the Wallace Carver Fellowship I became aware that crucial research is being done in a large range of fields– many of which people are unaware of–, and that the sum of all the work being done within the USDA truly enriches the lives of people throughout the world.”
University of Minnesota
BRANDON HANSON
Placement: ARS National Animal Disease Center, Prion Research Unit – Ames, IA
“Being a Wallace-Carver Fellow has shown me how profound of an impact research can have on everyone”
University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign
CHARLES HERRERA
Placement: Foreign Agricultural Service, Asia Division – Washington, DC
Being a Wallace-Carver Fellow gave me a deeper understanding of the importance of U.S. Trade Policy to global markets and gave me a lot of good connections with experts on foreign trade.”
PCM High School
EMILY HUGEN
Placement: ARS National Laboratory for Agriculture and the Environment – Ames, IA
“I’ve learned that agriculture is a field of work that everyone can play an important role in.”
Trinity School at River Ridge
JANE HULSE
Placement: ARS Toxicology and Mycotoxin Research Unit – Athens, GA
“My experience at the USDA allowed me to participate in ground-breaking research that impacts food safety around the world.”
College of Southern Idaho
QUINN INWARDS
Placement: ARS, National Agricultural Library – Beltsville, MD
“I learned that there are many facets of agriculture that interest me and where I can affect meaningful change.”
Rocky Mountain High School
JESSICA KOHNTOPP
Placement: ARS Wheat Genetics, Quality Physiology and Disease Research – Pullman, WA
“This has been an invaluable experience that allowed me to be a part of an amazing research team who inspired me to follow my passion for agriculture.”
University of Iowa
SREHITA KOTLA
Placement: ARS Corn Insects and Crop Genetics Research Unit – Ames, IA
“Through my fellowship I was able to research soybean genetics to develop increased resistance to iron deficiency.”
University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign
ANGELICA LEE
Placement: ARS Genetic Improvement of Fruits and Vegetables Laboratory – Beltsville, MD
“The Wallace Carver Fellowship program demonstrates the diversity of agricultural careers by placing students with USDA employees of varying educational backgrounds.”
The Tatnall School
NATE MEMBA
Placement: NRCS Pennsylvania NRCS – West Chester, PA
“Working at the NRCS gave me great great experience and exposed me to conservation practices that I can use at school and in life.”
University of Minnesota-Rochester
GLEN MORRIS
Placement: ARS Soil and Water Management Research – St. Paul, MN
“Through the Wallace-Carver Fellowship, I’ve had the privilege to work on environmental health concerns such as Acid Mine Drainage and find ways to combat other pressing issues.”
University of Minnesota
CARRIE O’CONNOR-WALKER
Placement: ARS Food Safety and Enteric Pathogens Research Unit – Ames, IA
“Working at the USDA has showed me the numerous links between science, agriculture and food security”
Iowa State University
DAKOTA OLSON
Placement: Office of the Secretary, Assistant Secretary of Administration’s – Washington, DC
“Working at the USDA’s headquarters in Washington, DC gave me a unique insight to our federal government and allowed me to interact with many outstanding individuals who shape agriculture and policy in the United States and the around the world.”
Columbia University
ANDREW PASQUIER
Placement: Economic Research Service, Food Economics Division – Washington, DC
“Working at the ERS gave me insight into the world of academic economics research and how it connects with important policy decisions. Small changes in USDA policy can cause huge micro and macro effects in markets and communities around the country”
University of Illinois at Urbana – Champaign
THOMAS POOLE
Placement: ARS Sustainable Agricultural Systems Laboratory – Beltsville, MD
“The Wallace-Carver Fellowship has provided me a greater motivation to understand my role in food security. The people I have met, the work I performed, and the places I traveled to left a lasting impression in my agricultural studies.”
Alcorn State University
DARA ROBERTSON
Placement: Office of the Secretary, White House Liaison Office – Washington, DC
“The Wallace Carver Fellowship is one of my best life experiences thus far. I have gained knowledge I never thought I could gain, met people I never thought I’d meet, and ultimately gained a sense of independence and responsibility I never knew I lacked.”
Iowa State University
SUSAN SCHWICKERATH
Placement: ARS National Laboratory for Agriculture and the Environment- Ames, IA
” The USDA and the World Food Prize has opened my eyes to different opportunities to help change the world.”
Cobleskill- Richmondville High School
MATHILDA SCOTT
Placement: ARS Soil and Water Management Research Unit – St. Paul, MN
“I have gained an amazing appreciation for those who wake up every morning to perform the tedious field work that will one day impact the lives of millions.”
North Dakota State University
AMELIA TANNER
Placement: ARS Animal Metabolism Unit-Agricultural Chemicals Research Unit – Fargo, ND
“The opportunity to work as a WC Fellow has opened my eyes to new potential careers in science that significantly impact global food security.”
University of Wisconsin- Madison
ALEX VILLARREAL
Placement: ARS U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center – Madison, WI
“Working for the USDA and attending the Wallace Carver DC Symposium has allowed me to gain valuable insight on how it is to work in a government or private laboratory, and explore my future career
options.”
Iowa State University
LINCOLN WELLS
Placement: ARS Tropical Crops and Germplasm Research Unit – Mayaguez, PR
“Working at the USDA in Puerto Rico not only broadened my knowledge of agriculture, but it also exposed me to new cultural experiences.”
Des Moines Area Community College
MIKEL WRIGHT
Placement: ARS National Laboratory for Agriculture and the Environment – Ames, IA
“The Wallace-Carver fellowship opened my eyes to careers and opportunities I previously had not considered. I found a new passion in agriculture and cannot wait to use the skills I learned this summer.”
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