Sharing the importance of support for agricultural research to help feed the world, Halle Choi, graduate student in the WSU Sustainable Seed Systems Lab, was selected this month as a 2019 Future Leader in Science by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America.
Choi was one of 18 graduate students to receive the award during the societies’ jointly held Congressional Visits Day, March 4 and 5 in Washington, DC.
The Future Leader in Science award recognizes students with interest and engagement in science advocacy.
Interested in biodiversity and evolutionary biology, Choi studies barley and quinoa breeding in Dr. Kevin Murphy’s Sustainable Seed Systems Lab. She currently researches the effects of genotype by environment interactions on dietary fiber in barley, and explores quinoa’s potential to improve nutrition in baked goods.
Congressional Visits Day is an opportunity for scholars to advocate for food, agriculture and natural resources research. At the nation’s capital, Choi raised awareness of the value of competitive grants from USDA’s Agricultural and Food Research Initiative, which supports research, education and Extension to improve rural economies, increase food production, and ensure food safety, along with the benefits of training and support from the three societies.
“While in Washington, I had the opportunity to hear about change happening in our country from professors, graduate students, and industry personnel across the nation,” said Choi. “It was a great opportunity to discuss potential collaborations and coordinate asks for federal support. Attending Congressional Visits Day made me more appreciative of the work our congressional staff accomplishes daily.”
Collectively known as the Tri-Societies, ASA, CSSA, and SSSA are scientific societies that advance the disciplines and practices of agronomy, crop, soil sciences, and related disciplines by supporting professional growth, science policy initiatives, and research publications.
