Alltech Young Scientist Program Calls All Future Innovators

LEXINGTON, KY – The Alltech Young Scientist (AYS) program, the world’s largest university-level competition in agri-science, seeks to attract future innovators for its 2017 term. Regional first-place winners will be invited to attend an all-expense-paid Alltech Young Scientist Discovery Week, culminating at ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference in Lexington, KY. Here, the brightest minds will compete to obtain a fully funded Ph.D. position (undergraduate) or fully funded postdoctorate position (graduate) in addition to cash prizes of $5,000 USD and $10,000 USD, respectively. 

“These bright minds have the potential to discover the solutions today to meet the challenges of tomorrow,” says Dr. Aoife Lyons, director of educational initiatives and engagement at Alltech. “The Alltech Young Scientist program continues to discover emerging research talent in agri-science, and we want these future innovators to join our global team.”

The AYS program, now in its 12th year, attracted approximately 200 student nominees from 144 professors representing the world’s top 117 universities from 42 countries last term.

Richard Lally, a postgraduate student at the Institute of Technology, Carlow in Ireland, developed a paper based on plant growth promotion to win first place in the graduate competition. Lally took home $10,000 USD and secured a two-year, fully funded postdoctorate contract with Alltech.

“It has been one of the most exciting and enjoyable experiences of my life and has been my greatest achievement to date,” says Lally. “I hope to contribute to the understanding of plant growth-promoting bacteria and their role in sustainable agricultural practices.”

Alonna Danielle Wright, an undergraduate student at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, developed a paper based on the viral super-infection of the corn earworm pest to take home the global undergraduate title and $5,000 USD. Wright is currently searching for a Ph.D. program to continue her line of study.

Registration is now open for the 2017 competition and will close on Oct. 31, 2016. Students must be nominated by a professor in order to participate and may submit scientific papers on topics such as animal health and nutrition, crop science, agriculture analytical methods, food chain safety and traceability, human health and nutrition and other sectors related to agri-science. Paper submissions may be completed online through to Dec. 31, 2016.

Each student’s paper will first compete within his or her home region of North America, Latin America, Asia-Pacific, Europe or Africa. Each regional finalist will then present his or her paper to a panel of international judges and a live audience during ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference, held May 21–24, 2017.

For more information and to register for the Alltech Young Scientist program, please visit AlltechYoungScientist.com.

Featured

  • Rhode Island Boarding School Completes Student Dorm Renovations

    St. George’s School in Middletown, R.I., recently announced the completion of a $26-million renovation project on Arden-Diman-Eccles Dormitory, according to a news release. The school partnered with Voith & Mactavish Architects (VMA) on the new space, which places a new focus on collaborative community spaces open to both boarding students and day students.

  • California K–12 District Finishes Renovations on Multi-Sport Stadium

    The Alameda Unified School District (AUSD) in Alameda, Calif., recently announced the completion of a renovation project on the Encinal Jr. & Sr. High School stadium, according to a news release. The district partnered with Quattrocchi Kwok Architects (QKA) and Bothman Construction on the facility, and funding came from Bond Measure B.

  • University of Arizona Approves New Residence Hall

    The Arizona Board of Regents recently approved plans for a new residence hall at the University of Arizona in Tucson, Ariz., according to a news release. The new facility is scheduled to open in fall 2028 and have the capacity for more than 1,200 students, enforcing a new university expectation that all first-year students live on campus.

  • Illinois District Boosts Security at High-School Stadium

    Richmond-Burton Community High School in Richmond, Ill., recently announced that it has completed the redesigned entrance to its high school stadium with a new focus on school security and community engagement, according to a news release. The district partnered with Wold Architects and Engineers on the project as part of District #157’s year-long facilities master plan.