2016 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 2016, thirty-seven 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.
Arkansas Tech University
CARLEY ALLEN
Placement: ARS, Plant Genetic Resources Unit – Geneva, NY
“This summer was a truly amazing opportunity where I gained both lab and field experience. These skills will prove beneficial in my future endeavours as a research veterinarian and for this I will be forever grateful.”
Iowa State University
BRANDON BEALL
Placement: ARS, Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory – Kerrville, TX
“My summer internship emboldened my ambition to pursue agricultural research by exposing me to the realities of scientific work and the various interactions that take place between individuals in a scientific community.”
Eastern Carolina University
SRUTHI BODDAPATI
Placement: ARS, Neuroscience and Aging Laboratory – Boston, MA
“This life-changing experience brought many new global issues and potential research into perspective for me, while creating friendships that will last a lifetime.”
Creighton University
ANN BRAVERMAN
Placement: ARS, National Animal Disease Center – Ames, IA
“I learned that science has the potential to help millions of people across the globe. It was inspirational working and speaking with some of our country’s brightest individuals. I am honored to have been a part of this wonderful program.”
Iowa State University
THERESA BREHM
Placement: ARS, Functional Foods Research Unit- Peoria, IL
“This summer changed my outlook on scientific research. I met many scientists doing work in various fields and I wouldn’t have wanted to spend my summer any other way. Thank you, USDA and World Food Prize!”
Ohio State University
MARIAH COX
Placement: ARS, Poultry Microbiological Safety and Processing Research Unit- Athens, GA
“The hands-on experience working at USDA was extraordinary. The people I worked with were inspiring and helped me take the next steps towards ending hunger.”
University of Iowa
ANGER DOK
Placement: ARS, Poultry Microbiological Safety and Processing Research Unit- Athens, GA
“The experience with USDA helped me find my place in the world, and that I can effect change with hard work and good intentions.”
Penn State University
LAUREN FILLEBROWN
Placement: Office of the Secretary – Washington, D.C.
“Being a WC Fellow two years in a row provided opportunities for me to grow professionally. I gained valuable skills , became more confident and made friends along the way.”
University of Idaho
KIRSTEN FORSTER
Placement: ARS, Aquatic Animal Health Research- Auburn, AL
“I got a crash course in microbiology and I connected with catfish farmers all around Alabama. I’m so grateful for everyone at the AAHRU in Auburn because I had one of the best summers of my life.”
Davidson College
JUSTINE FRERICHS
Placement: ARS,Trace Minerals and Nutrition Unit – Ithaca, NY
“I appreciated the opportunity to work alongside experts who have committed their lives to public service and I loved getting to know peers who are passionate about similar issues.”
University of Iowa
LANDER GEADELMANN
Placement: ARS, National Laboratory for Agriculture and the Environment – Ames, IA
“The Fellowship turned my interest in research into a passion. It has showed me how I can make a more food secure future.”
George Washington University
GRANT GUSTAFSON
Placement: Foreign Agricultural Service, Office of Capacity Building and Development – Washington, DC
“Working with FAS gave me an incredible perspective on the role of the U.S. as the world leader in agriculture and the power of a team’s commitment to a common goal.”
University of Nebraska- Lincoln
JASMINE HANSON
Placement: ARS, Animal Metabolism-Agricultural Chemicals Research Unit – Fargo, ND
“The experience helped broaden my horizons. The people I worked with cared about what I had to say and helped me be successful. I know that I was able to make a difference in both the scientific community and the world in general.”
University of Arkansas
SAM HARRIS
Placement: Risk Management Agency – Washington, D.C.
“Through the fellowship, I had the opportunity to see first-hand how public service and agriculture play a hand to ensure the industry is sustainable for generations to come.”
University of Minnesota
EVA HENNINGSEN
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.”
Iowa State University
TAYLOR HINTCH
Placement: ARS Corn Insects and Crop Genetics Research Unit – Ames, IA
“My summer internship allowed me to experience the many different aspects of agriculture and I learned to respect agriculture in a way I never knew was possible.”
Iowa State University
RAEGAN HOEFLER
Placement: ARS Food Safety and Enteric Pathogens Research Unit – Ames, IA
“My experience taught me that there are so many paths research and that every discipline is needed to advance the future of research. I will forever use the professional and laboratory skills I gained working for the USDA.”
Cornell University
SIERRA MARI JAMIR
Placement: ARS, US Horticultural Research Laboratory – Fort Pierce, FL
“Working with the USDA gave me a glimpse of the various ways people in research, policy, communications, as well as other fields, are tackling world hunger, and the inspirational people making this happen.”
Cornell University
ROHAN KANDEL
Placement: ARS, Soil and Water Management Research Unit – St. Paul, MN
“This summer I worked on a project aimed at reducing nitrous gas emissions from soil, in an attempt to reduce the environmental impact of agriculture. I enjoyed working in a lab that combined research with real life applications, especially with a focus on climate change.”
South Dakota State University
KIERA LEDDY
Placement: Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyard Administration- Kansas City, MO
“Working at the National Grain Center opened my eyes to the crucial role that uniform grain plays in international trade and crop science.”
Grinnell College
LEAH LUCAS
Placement: Economic Research Service, Market and Trade Economics Division- Washington, D.C.
“It was an honor to work with the Economic Research Services as a WC fellow and I look forward to future collaborations with its world class economists and researchers.”
St. Louis University
GRETCHEN MOHR
Placement: Office of the Chief Economist – Washington, DC
“My fellowship provided the opportunity to practice the skills I’ve learned in university while creating lasting connections with mentors who are experts in their field.”
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
GABRIEILLE MORRIS
Placement: ARS,Forage and Range Research Lab- Logan, UT
“The Wallace Carver Fellowship was a eye opening experience, it has made a big impact on my future.”
University of Minnesota
SHANTAL PAI
Placement: ARS, Crop Genetics Research Unit – Jackson, TN
“It was an outstanding opportunity to get dirty and have an impact on crop production.”
Iowa State University
BRADLEY PICKHINKE
Placement: ARS, National Laboratory for Agriculture and the Environment – Ames, IA
“The most important lesson I learned is that agriculture is the efforts of millions of hands to feed billions of mouths.”
University of Nebraska- Lincoln
HOLLY PODLISKA
Placement: ARS, Tropical Plant Genetic Resources and Disease Research- Hilo, HI
“I loved my fellowship experience. I learned valuable lab skills that I will use in my future career as well as built relationships and shared the Aloha Spirit with amazing people.”
Arkansas Tech University
ABIGAIL SANDERS
Placement: ARS Western Human Nutrition Research Center- Davis, CA
“This summer, I had the opportunity to learn the basic principles of research, but also, was given the chance to make an impact in the field of agricultural research, while making lifelong connections. For that I’m truly grateful.”
Purdue University
STEPHEN SCHWARTZ
Placement: ARS, National Soil Erosion Research Lab – West Lafayette, IN
“As a fellow I had the opportunity to conduct USDA research leading to real world solutions. No where else could I have such an immediate impact in the scientific community”
Iowa State University
MORGAN SMITH
Placement: ARS, National Animal Disease Center – Ames, IA
“This internship completely changed my life, my goals for the future, and made me love research.”
Carleton College
MADELINE TOPF
Placement: ARS, Invasive Insect Biocontrol and Behavior Laboratory – Beltsville, MD
“I learned how to ask for things. Even bright young minds can’t do it alone.”
Iowa State University
LAURA TUCKER
Placement: ARS, Emerging Pests and Pathogens Research Unit – Ithaca, NY
“The fellowship has allowed me to gain hands-on experience working with top government researches. It gave me the resources to discover the field of research I wish to pursue.”
Gustavus Adolphus College
ARUN VELAMURI
Placement: ARS,Invasive Insect Biocontrol and Behavior Laboratory- Beltsville, MD
“Throughout the duration of the fellowship, I applied what I had learned in the classroom to an agricultural setting, thereby helping to progress research being done in the field.”
Iowa State University
THOMAS WILGENBUSCH
Placement: ARS, Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research – Kimberly, ID
“The fellowship gave me the opportunity to see multiple segments of the agriculture industry working together to maximize food production and efficiency.”
Texas A&M University
MATHEW WILHELM
Placement: ARS, Soil and Water Management Research Unit – St. Paul, MN
“Working with ARS has opened my eyes to the resources available to conduct groundbreaking research that impacts individuals on a global scale.”
Augustana University
GILLIAN WILKINS
Placement: ARS, Cereal Crops Research Unit – Fargo, ND
“I enjoyed my time at USDA learning about infectious plant diseases, lab techniques, methods of DNA extraction, and how to sequence DNA.”
Iowa State University
CINTHIA WILKINSON
Placement: ARS, National Animal Disease Center- Ames, IA
“The fellowship opened my eyes to all the possibilities of research within agriculture and how my interest in vaccine development can be connected to agriculture.”
Iowa State University
MIKEL WRIGHT
Placement: ARS, National Laboratory for Agriculture and the Environment- Ames, IA
“I enjoyed my experience because I was able to apply the things I learned over the years in a professional setting”
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