Inaugural group of three global scholars named in CANR international initiative
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EmailThe College of Agriculture and Natural Resources has announced the first cohort of three global scholars through an initiative that began last year.
EAST LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan State University (MSU) College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) has announced the first cohort of three global scholars through an initiative that began last year.
The Global Scholars Program supports established and early-mid career faculty members with seed funding and travel support for two years.
“This empowers them to extend the reach of their research, education and outreach programs, and expand their work with international partners,” said Karim Maredia, director of CANR international programs.
Each global scholar represents a strategic area for CANR and was recommended by department chairs and school directors. The inaugural global scholars focus on bioenergy, soil health and fisheries. They are:
- Wei Liao, professor in the Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, is developing sustainable bioenergy systems.
- Lisa Tiemann, assistant professor in the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, studies soil health and sustainable agriculture.
- Abigail Bennett, assistant professor in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, works with communities around the world that depend on fisheries for food security.
Liao said: “I am honored to be selected as one of the global scholars in CANR. It provides me a great opportunity to pull cross-disciplinary teams together to develop novel renewable energy solutions that will accelerate access to affordable, reliable and clean energy around the world.”
Tiemann said: “The resources provided by CANR will help me strengthen current partnerships, both here at MSU and in Africa and India, as well as develop new collaborations. Declining soil health is truly a global problem that threatens food security, and it will take an international effort to develop effective solutions.”
Bennett said: “I am excited to have the opportunity to join this cohort of global scholars. This program will provide a platform to extend our leadership in research and outreach initiatives that aim to ensure fisheries governance promotes food and nutrition security — right at a time when fish seems to be gaining traction in global food security dialogues.”
An additional cohort of three global scholars will be named next year to bring the total to six.
The Global Scholars Program began in summer 2019 after Maredia was named director of CANR international programs. He was tasked with creating a faculty development initiative that grows the college’s global footprint and forms lasting international partnerships.
