Jan Leach, University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Bioagricultural Sciences and Pest Management, has earned an international recognition for her contributions to food and agricultural systems sustainability.

Leach has received the Agropolis Louis Malassis International Scientific Prize for Agriculture and Food in the category of “Distinguished Scientist.” She will receive the award in Montpelier, France, during the 4th World Congress on Agroforestry in May.

Agropolis Foundation’s Louis Malassis International Scientific Prize is awarded every two years and recognizes individuals for their “exemplary and promising contribution in promoting innovation through research, development and/or capacity building, in order to improve food and agricultural systems sustainability, as well as to address food security and poverty reduction.”

The associate dean for research in the College of Agricultural Sciences, Leach works with plant pathogens and insect pests and has focused on stabilizing disease resistance in rice to reduce losses, particularly in the developing world.

“Solving agriculture’s grand challenges will require a well-trained, international workforce and will benefit from robust collaborations,” Leach said. “I have been privileged to train many excellent scholars who now hold positions in research centers, universities, industries, and governments. Many international collaborators contributed to the work honored by this prize.”

The prize was created as a tribute to Louis Malassis, an ardent supporter of farmers’ causes, and founder of the Agropolis scientific cluster in Montpelier.

More information: https://col.st/JwdH5