MSU doctoral student honored for agronomy research, discusses agriculture鈥檚 importance with national leaders
Contact: Reagan Poston
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥擜 花秀直播 State graduate student is being recognized this year as a Future Leader in Science, an honor bestowed by the agronomy tri-societies鈥攖he American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America and Soil Science Society of America.
Charles 鈥淗unt鈥 Walne, an MSU agronomy doctoral student in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, earlier this year was one of 18 graduate students chosen as a recipient of the Future Leader in Science award and invited to the tri-societies鈥 annual Congressional Visits Day at the U.S. Capitol to advocate the importance of federal funding for agricultural research to 花秀直播 legislators.
In keeping with the United Nations General Assembly having named 2020 the 鈥淚nternational Year of Plant Health,鈥 the Collierville, Tennessee native also was invited to the Capitol event to present research conducted by K. Raja Reddy鈥擶alne鈥檚 major professor鈥攁bout crop performance in projected future climates. This work was made possible using the 花秀直播 Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station鈥檚 unique Soil-Plant-Atmosphere-Research Facility, known as the SPAR unit.
Reddy, a research professor in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences and MAFES scientist, discussed why Walne鈥檚 recognition is a testament to his exemplary dedication to the field of agricultural research as a whole.
鈥淚 had the opportunity to mentor Hunt starting from junior year of his undergraduate studies and now serve as his major professor as he pursues his doctoral degree. Hunt understands the big picture of the issues related to food security at the national and global levels and how his interest in research and leadership can help shape policy decisions now and in the future,鈥 Reddy said.
Walne served as team leader during the national event, leading discussion with policymakers about the importance of funding for the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative as well as funding for the Agriculture Advanced Research Development Authority, two competitive grants that focus on advancing agricultural research and education.
鈥淓veryone we spoke with was receptive. Congressional members understand the importance of this,鈥 he said.
Walne said while agricultural research garners support on both sides of the aisle, the Congressional Visits Day is an opportunity for leaders to focus on the need for a safe, plentiful food supply.
鈥淭hese events serve as a bridge between policymakers and agricultural experts,鈥 Walne said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 important that there鈥檚 a space for researchers and scientists to share what they know and explain why it鈥檚 vital to continue the progress made in producing food and fiber to feed and clothe a growing population.鈥
鈥淲e wouldn鈥檛 be able to conduct the research we do at universities if it weren鈥檛 for the support we receive from our federal government. I鈥檓 proud to have had the chance to represent 花秀直播 State and advocate for research funding, not only for our university but for the agricultural research sector in general,鈥 Walne said.
To learn more about MSU鈥檚 Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, visit .
MSU is 花秀直播鈥檚 leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.