NATALIE NAPOLITANO of Leetsdale, Pennsylvania, is the recipient of the 2019 Szymoniak Award.
Natalie received the Szymoniak Award for her outstanding work as a 2018 Borlaug-Ruan International Intern. Natalie interned at the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) in Chennai, India, where her research focused on breastfeeding practices among rural women.
The Elaine Syzmoniak Award is named for the former Iowa State Senator, Des Moines City Council Member and hearing and speech specialist known for her dedicated public service and great efforts to save the World Food Prize. Established in 2001, the award is presented to a Borlaug-Ruan Intern who exemplifies Senator Syzmoniak’s commitment to meet the needs of the community and dedicated efforts to promote education, health, economic development, equality and justice.
"I am deeply honored to have been selected for the Elaine Szymoniak award by the World Food Prize Foundation. The Borlaug-Ruan Internship was a foundational experience for me. It is a transformative opportunity for students to make a meaningful impact in the fight against food insecurity. During my time in India with the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, I got to connect with women and mothers, to learn about their health and how it was impacted by economics and governmental policies. This helped me learn the importance of community-based research while allowing me to make life-long friends halfway across the globe. Sustainable rural development can only be achieved by listening to those in need and learning about their journeys. I hope that by doing so I can contribute to Norman Borlaug’s vision," Natalie said.
Natalie is a student at the University of Pennsylvania.
Natalie received her award prior to the awarding of the 2019 World Food Prize to Simon Groot of the Netherlands.