Fran Benne | Design and Communications Specialist
To say doctoral candidate Zach Stewart has had a successful educational research experience at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln would be an understatement. The crop physiology and production doctoral candidate just presented his dissertation on evaluating foliar micronutrient treatments as a tool to increase yields and biofortify (increase nutrient density) corn. Under his adviser, UNL Professor Charles Shapiro, he has also been testing nanoparticles in plant nutrition and evaluating soil health assessment tools.
“My entire academic career has been devoted toward intertwining my interests in agriculture, entomology, and health for the goal of having both an impactful and meaningful career in food security and global development,” Stewart said.
Stewart was recently honored with the Wirth/McGowen Global Food and Nutrition Security Fellowship, a $3,500 award. The purpose of this fellowship is to benefit and support the education and research efforts of graduate students pursuing degree programs that will contribute to significant advancements in ensuring global food and nutrition security for a growing world population through innovative research in the agricultural, natural resource and human sciences.
Charles Shapiro (left to right), Zachary Stewart and Tiffany Heng-Moss at the Wirth/McGowen Fellowship reception.
Outstanding Graduate Student
Stewart was awarded the Great Plains Soil Fertility Conference 2016 Outstanding Graduate Student Award in Denver on March 1 from the International Plant Nutrition Institute. This award was in recognition of exceptional accomplishment, research and service.
The Great Plains Soil Fertility Conference is a biennial event where plant nutrition and soil fertility professionals from across the Great Plains and Canadian Prairies come together to present and discuss current research and developments in these disciplines. IPNI is a not-for-profit, science-based organization dedicated to the responsible management of plant nutrition for the benefit of the human family.
Representing the department
Stewart was selected to represent the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture for the 2016 Gerald O. Mott Meritorious Graduate Student Award in Crop Science. Stewart was selected based on his academic achievements, research and teaching contributions, leadership accomplishments, service activities and personal qualifications.
The Gerald O. Mott Meritorious Graduate Student Award in Crop Science recognizes top-notch graduate students pursuing advanced degrees in crop science disciplines. The award is offered by the Crop Science Society of America and recipients receive a certificate and are recognized in the CSA News. This award honors the first CSSA President Gerald O. Mott, who trained 75 graduate students during his 45-year career at Purdue University and the University of Florida.
Life after UNL
Stewart acknowledges his education at UNL within the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture and how it has prepared him to achieve his future goals. “The university has been an exceptional working environment that has sparked innovation and cross-disciplinary thinking.”
Stewart has been offered a research position at the USAID Sustainable Intensification Innovation Lab at Kansas State which he intends to accept following his May graduation from UNL.
“This position perfectly aligns with my current and future research and career goals. The position will be devoted to researching sustainable solutions to improve global food and nutrition security for small-holder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia,” Stewart said. “It is my sincerest hope to be a part of the solutions to the grand challenges facing my generation and I know the continuation of my career in academics, will help me be a part of the solutions to these monumental challenges.”
