Washington, D.C. – The National Potato Council (NPC) is now accepting applications for a $10,000 graduate-level scholarship to be applied toward the 2015-2016 academic year. Each year, NPC awards one scholarship to a graduate student pursuing advanced studies (Master’s degree or higher) that will improve the future of the U.S. potato industry. Final scholarship selection is based on academic achievement, leadership abilities and the potential commercial value of the applicant’s academic work.
The 2014 scholarship winner was Washington Luis da Silva, who is a plant pathology Ph.D. student at Cornell University. His research into Potato Tuber Necrotic Ringspot Disease (PTNRD), a tuber deformity, will offer insight into the ongoing issues the industry faces related to infections from Potato virus (PVY) necrotic strains. His goal to improve the screening process for this issue would have a direct economic benefit for potato breeders and for the potato industry as a whole.
“This scholarship will help tremendously with the cost of the robust technology necessary to complete my research, affording me the opportunity to be well trained in the pursuit of my future plans in helping the U.S. potato industry to move forward in the fight against current and prospective diseases,” said da Silva.
The application deadline for NPC’s 2015-2016 academic scholarship is June 30, and the scholarship winner will be announced in August. The winner will be invited to display his or her work at the Potato Research Poster Sessions during POTATO EXPO 2016, Jan. 12-14, 2016, in Las Vegas, Nev. Application forms are available at http://goo.gl/v2bfmH.
For more information about the award and past scholarship winners, visit http://nationalpotatocouncil.org/events-and-programs/scholarship-program.
The National Potato Council is the advocate for the economic well-being of U.S. potato growers on federal legislative, regulatory, environmental, and trade issues. NPC supports the U.S. potato industry by monitoring issues affecting the strength and viability of the potato industry, influencing regulators and
legislators on issues crucial to the industry's long term success, ensuring fair market access for potatoes and potato products, and bringing the unique issues and interests of diverse growing regions in the U.S. together on a national level.
Source: National Potato Council (NPC)
