The World Food Prize Foundation

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.

CARLEY ALLEN
Arkansas Tech University

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."

BRANDON BEALL
Iowa State University

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.”

SRUTHI BODDAPATI
Eastern Carolina University

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.”

ANN BRAVERMAN
Creighton University

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.”

 

THERESA BREHM
Iowa State University  

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!”

MARIAH COX
Ohio State University

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."

 

ANGER DOK
University of Iowa

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.”

LAUREN FILLEBROWN
Penn State University

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.”

 

KIRSTEN FORSTER
University of Idaho 

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."

JUSTINE FRERICHS
Davidson College 

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.”

LANDER GEADELMANN
University of Iowa

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.”

GRANT GUSTAFSON
George Washington University

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.”

JASMINE HANSON
University of Nebraska- Lincoln

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.”

SAM HARRIS
University of Arkansas

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.”

EVA HENNINGSEN
University of Minnesota

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.”

TAYLOR HINTCH
Iowa State University

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."

RAEGAN HOEFLER
Iowa State University 

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.”

SIERRA MARI JAMIR
Cornell University 

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.”

ROHAN KANDEL
Cornell University 

Placement: Food Safety and Inspection Service - Washington, D.C. 

“This summer I've learned that no matter one's age, anyone can make a difference in the fight against food insecurity. Let your motivation inspire others.”

KIERA LEDDY
South Dakota State University 

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.”  

LEAH LUCAS
Grinnell College

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."

GRETCHEN MOHR
St. Louis University 

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.”

GABRIEILLE MORRIS
University of Maryland Eastern Shore

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."

 

SHANTAL PAI
University of Minnesota

Placement: ARS, Crop Genetics Research Unit - Jackson, TN

"It was an outstanding opportunity to get dirty and have an impact on crop production."

BRADLEY PICKHINKE
Iowa State University

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."

HOLLY PODLISKA
University of Nebraska- Lincoln

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."

ABIGAIL SANDERS
Arkansas Tech University

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."

STEPHEN SCHWARTZ
Purdue University 

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”

MORGAN SMITH
Iowa State University 

Placement: ARS, National Animal Disease Center - Ames, IA

"This internship completely changed my life, my goals for the future, and made me love research."

MADELINE TOPF
Carleton College

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.”

LAURA TUCKER
Iowa State University 

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."

ARUN VELAMURI
Gustavus Adolphus College 

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.”

THOMAS WILGENBUSCH
Iowa State University

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."

MATHEW WILHELM
Texas A&M University

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.”

GILLIAN WILKINS
Augustana University

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.”

CINTHIA WILKINSON
Iowa State University

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.”

MIKEL WRIGHT
Iowa State University

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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