Rachel Ganson of Geneseo, Illinois, was awarded the John Chrystal Award during the World Food Prize Laureate Ceremony on October 19, 2013 at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines.
She received the Chrystal Award for her outstanding work as a 2012 Borlaug-Ruan International Intern at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in Patancheru, INDIA. While abroad, she conducted research on nutrition and gender development through the analysis of female participation in Self-Help Groups as a potential way to enhance the nutritional status of households in the village of Aurepalle.
A graduate of Geneseo High School, Rachel attends Notre Dame University where she is a Hesburgh-Yusko Scholar majoring in Global Health and Pre-Medicine with a special interest in food policy and gender studies.
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.
Rachel was selected as a Borlaug-Ruan International Intern after representing her high school at the World Food Prize Global Youth Institute in 2011. The Global Youth Institute provides high school students the opportunity to interact with Nobel and World Food Prize Laureates, connect with other student leaders from around the world, tour cutting-edge industrial and research facilities, and discuss pressing food security and agricultural issues with global leaders in science, industry and policy.
Rachel received her award prior to the awarding of the 2013 World Food Prize to three distinguished scientists — Marc Van Montagu of Belgium, and Mary-Dell Chilton and Robert T. Fraley of the United States.
VIEW RACHEL GANSON’S PAPER