Aditi Mukherji, First Winner of the Borlaug Field Award

The Rockefeller Foundation awarded Dr. Aditi Mukherji the Norman Borlaug Award for Field Research Application. The first of the annual award recognizes researchers under 40 in the early stages of their work who emulate the scientific innovation and dedication demonstrated by Nobel Peace Prize Laureat Dr. Norman Borlaug. "Access to reliable, affordable, and timely irrigation are very powerful tools of poverty alleviation."

Dr. Mukherji said. "What truly inspires me is the impact that one's research can make on the lives of the poor by providing more food on their table – something that Dr. Borlaug showed us years ago through his pioneering work in Mexico, India, and elsewhere. He is my ultimate role model."

"Dr. Mukherji has demonstrated qualities that emulate Dr. Borlaug's ingenuity and perseverance in transferring his scientific breakthroughs to farmers and hungry people around the world through the gateway of government policy and action," said Amb. Kenneth M. Quinn, president of the World Food Prize Foundation. "Like Dr. Borlaug, she has shown persistence, innovation, effective communication, contribution to science, and application of that science for policy change to improve lives and livelihoods."

The new article can be seen at http://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm?nodeID=24667&audienceID=1&action=display&newsID=19571 for more details.