Eight graduate students from 1890 land grant institutions across the United States have been selected as part of the inaugural cohort of Thomas Wyatt Turner Fellows at Cornell University.

Representing a wide range of research specialties relevant to advancing global crop improvement — from plant and environmental sciences to nutrition and public health — the fellows bring a holistic lens to the most pressing threats facing global food security. Hosted by the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Crop Improvement, fellows will spend one academic year at Cornell, taking courses and engaging in research with a Cornell faculty mentor that will drive advancement in crop improvement to reduce malnutrition and hunger and provide equitable benefits to women and youth. 

With principles of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility at its core, Cornell University, through the Turner Fellowship program, partners with 1890 land grant institutions to mentor and support students from underrepresented backgrounds to become next-generation leaders in inclusive and sustainable agricultural development.

Read more in the CALS Newsroom.

Kelly Merchan is a communications specialist in the Department of Global Development.