October 19, 2021
Agronomy graduate student awarded Encompass fellowship
Nathan Hein, a doctoral student in agronomy, was chosen as an Encompass scholars fellow by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America and Soil Science Society of America Encompass Scholars Committee.
The fellow award was highly competitive, with more than 50 graduate students and postdoctoral scholars applying for consideration and only eight fellowships awarded. Hein's nomination stood out because of his leadership skills and commitment to promoting and expanding diversity, equity and inclusion.
As a fellow, Hein will attend the ASA-CSSA-SSSA 2021 annual meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah, in November and present his research on the effects of high nighttime temperature stress on grain yield and quality in wheat and corn. While at the annual meeting, he will attend the Graduate Student Leadership Conference, Science Policy Lunch and connect with an industry mentor who will aid in his professional development over the course of the next year. Hein will also be awarded a position at the ASA-CSSA-SSSA 2022 Congressional Visits Day and travel to Washington, D.C., to advocate for increases agricultural research funding to members of congress.
"It's an excellent opportunity for Nathan to broaden his portfolio and to get involved in agricultural policy and decision-making circles," said Krishna Jagadish, professor of agronomy. "This will help him in developing into an active advocate for garnering additional support to ag research."
"Nathan is a rising star and a prime example of a young talent we need in our discipline, who excel in science, is willing to learn policy and eventually translate science and policy into practice," said Raj Khosla, head of the agronomy department. "His Encompass Fellowship will provide him the necessary tools and platforms to accomplish his goals."
Hein is a third-year doctoral student under the direction of advisor Jagadish in the agronomy department. He is an active member of the Crop Ecophysiology Lab in both research and outreach efforts. Hein leads the outreach program for the Crop Ecophysiology Lab and believes that outreach is a worthwhile and necessary component to any lab. Hein's studies focus on the effects of high night-time temperature stress during grain-filling on both yield and quality in wheat and corn.