Stanford students win global food security fellowships

One Ph.D. candidate and two undergraduates from Stanford have won competitive fellowships to study global food security issues.

Bourlaug Fellowship in Global Food Security

Katrina ole-MoiYoi, a doctoral candidate in Environment and Resources at the School of Earth Sciences, has received the U.S. Bourlaug Fellowship in Global Food Security, a competitive graduate research grant funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and administered by Purdue University.

The grant will support Ms. Ole-MoiYoi’s ongoing research with FSE director Roz Naylor on sustainable aquaculture, including the role of government subsidies in the growth of the Kenyan aquaculture industry. As a fellowship recipient, ole-MoiYoi will also be matched with a mentor from a leading international agricultural research institute.

Cargill Global Scholarship

Two Stanford undergraduates were among the recipient of the 2014-15 Cargill Global Scholarship. Awarded to only 10 U.S. students annually, the scholarship recognizes high academic performance and leadership potential, and is designed to develop the next generation of leaders in the field of food, agriculture and risk management.

The Stanford recipients are Mackenzie Yaryura, a double major in journalism and political science, and Darren Handoko, a chemical engineering major. As scholarship recipients, Ms. Yaryura and Mr. Handok will also participate in leadership development workshops, networking events, and one-on-one mentoring with leaders of Cargill.

Ms. Yaryura, whose interest in food security grew out of her global travels and a Stanford course on "Food and Security" taught by Roz Naylor and Stephen Stedman, plans to study public policy with a focus on education. "I am interested in exploring creative ways to empower communities to implement education on topics that address their needs - such as public health, agricultural methods, nutrition, and vocational training," she said. "The scholarship is a fantastic opportunity to be connected with diverse people with a similar goal of alleviating food security issues," she said. "I think it is a great idea to have someone that is eager to share knowledge and advice, and willing to work through issues with you as they come up."

The Cargill Global Scholars Program is administered by the Institute of International Education on behalf of Cargill, a global producer and marketer of food, agriculture, financial and industrial products and services.