2020 FFAR Fellows Cohort Announced

September 29, 2020

Washington, D.C.

Scientific Workforce

WASHINGTON (September 29, 2020) – Preparing future food and agriculture scientists to solve urgent agricultural challenges tomorrow starts by investing in them today. The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) and North Carolina State University are excited to announce the 23 recipients of the 2020 FFAR Fellows Program. This Program is a unique three-year fellowship that provides funding and mentorship to doctoral students conducting research in alignment with FFAR’s six Challenge Areas.

Most science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programs prepare students for traditional research career paths, often leaving food and agriculture scientists unaware of career opportunities outside of the laboratory. Additionally, early career scientists are typically not provided with professional development opportunities to learn non-cognitive “soft skills” needed by well-rounded graduates. The FFAR Fellows program provides these missing opportunities.

Investing in early career scientists is critical to building a scientific workforce that is prepared to tackle the many pressing issues facing the food and agriculture industry. We are proud to support this year’s talented cohort of young scientists who are conducting bold research with the potential for real world impact. Sally Rockey, Ph.D.
Executive Director Emeritus

This holistic training program not only funds research, but also provides career guidance, explores professional development opportunities and offers mentorship from industry sponsors. The program pairs doctoral candidates with academic and industry mentors to foster professional development and critical workforce skills. Each industry sponsor matches FFAR’s funding to double the investment in early-career scientists workforce development.

The FFAR Fellowship program is led by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at North Carolina State University. “The Fellows are passionate about their science and the potential impact they can have in the world,” said Dr. Rebecca Dunning, who manages the program at NCSU. “The Fellows program provides the leadership and communications training these impressive Ph.D. students need to fully realize that potential.”

The 2020 FFAR Fellows include:

Felipe Alves Correa Carvalho da Silva, University of Florida
Lauren Anderson, North Carolina State University
Sarah Bennett, Pennsylvania State University
Maria Chavez, Colorado State University
Ekramul Ehite, University of Tennessee Knoxville
Charles Farber, Texas A&M University
Shane Hansen, University of Wisconsin- Madison
Siwook Hwang, Colorado State University
Nicholas Karavolias, University of California, Berkeley
Sarah Kezar, Texas A&M University
Alison Lui, University of California, Berkeley
Jamila Mweta, Tuskegee University
Echo Pan, North Carolina State University
Daniela Pezzini, North Carolina State University
Aaron Prairie, Colorado State University
Abigail Roche, Case Western Reserve University
Manuel Sabbagh, University of Minnesota
Xiaonan Shi, North Carolina State University
Simon Sretenovic, University of Maryland College Park
Renan Stefanini Lopes, Washington State University
Jeremy Sutherland, Pennsylvania State University
Sara Tondini, University of Illinois
Lauren Whitt, University of Missouri

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Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research

The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) builds public-private partnerships to fund bold research addressing big food and agriculture challenges. FFAR was established in the 2014 Farm Bill to increase public agriculture research investments, fill knowledge gaps and complement the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s research agenda. FFAR’s model matches federal funding from Congress with private funding, delivering a powerful return on taxpayer investment. Through collaboration and partnerships, FFAR advances actionable science benefiting farmers, consumers and the environment.

Connect: @FoundationFAR | @RockTalking

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