David Ortega Named Noel W. Stuckman Chair
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EmailOrtega will be provided with a stronger platform to have a larger impact on domestic agriculture, especially in Michigan. He will receive resources that are centrally funded and allow him to take his research and outreach program to the next level.
When a faculty member establishes a proven track record in research, teaching and extension at Michigan State University (MSU), they may be lucky enough to receive a named professorship and chair position. David Ortega, a professor in the Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics (AFRE), recently received this honor when he was named the Noel W. Stuckman Chair in Food Economics & Policy.
As a result of this new position, Ortega will be provided with a stronger platform to have a larger impact on domestic agriculture, especially in Michigan. He will receive resources that are centrally funded and allow him to take his research and outreach program to the next level.
“This position allows me to fund graduate students to work on timely policy and relevant questions,” shared Ortega. “It allows for me to procure data, travel to conferences, and engage with stakeholders. It provides a lot more flexibility in terms of the topics that I can research, and it allows me to leverage those resources and existing resources that I have in my program to obtain even more resources.”
Ortega has been highly driven in his successful career within AFRE. He has published on numerous research projects, mentored several graduate students, actively engaged with public media to disseminate information to the public on a regular basis, and even testified before the United States Senate.
“The work that I do looks at decision making in global AgriFood systems. A lot of the topics that I focus on are timely issues looking at how shocks and events that affect the food system impact individuals,” Ortega explained. “I look at how consumers make decisions, how producers make decisions, and how other actors in the supply chain make decisions. Ultimately, my research ensures that they're informed in that decision making, that they're making the best decisions based on research, based on information. Finally, the goal is to ensure that policies, agribusiness strategies, have the best information available when those decisions are made.”
Even with all of his previous success, Ortega plans to use this new position and its provided resources to further strengthen his efforts to provide information to every necessary stakeholder.
“The department and college leadership are looking for me to provide leadership and research and education topics in the area of global Agri-Food system economics, “Ortega shared. “They want the work that I do to help elevate the reputation, visibility, and the success of the department, the college, and the university. And so I will have a primary research appointment to continue leading a world-class, evidence based, mission oriented research program in global Agri-Food system economics.”
This new position will last for at least five years with the potential to be extended. During that time, Ortega will be expected to build upon his current established research and outreach program. At the end of the five years, Ortega feels there will be one thing that he can look back on with satisfaction if successful.
“This really comes down to impact and the impact that the work that I do in this new role has on policy, the academic community, the students that I teach and the graduate students that I mentor,” Ortega explained. “At the end, at least in five years, and hopefully this goes on beyond five years, I hope for the department, the college, and the university to be seen as the go-to place for evidence-based information on timely economic issues that affects not only Michigan but global Agri-Food systems. I want this position and the research program that's part of this position to be a big contributing factor to that.”
Ortega also recognized that the weight of this position and the honor of being recognized. However, he also acknowledged that he didn’t earn this honor alone.
“For me, it's a tremendous honor. And it's not a recognition of only me as David Ortega, the faculty member, but it really recognizes my team of collaborators, my students, both graduate students and undergraduate students, because they are really what makes the program that I'm working on,” Ortega emphasized. “It's a collaborative program, team effort with my collaborators and my students. So, for me, it's a tremendous honor, but it's one that I share with the individuals that I've worked closely with since I've arrived here at Michigan State.”
