“Hunger Fighter” Scholarship Winner Passionate about Combatting Global Food Insecurity

Jensina DavisIowa State University (ISU) junior, Jensina Davis is the 2020 winner of the annual David Lambert “Hunger Fighter” scholarship award.  She will be presented the award during the virtual ISU Borlaug lecture, featuring 2020 World Food Prize laureate, Rattan Lal, on Monday, October 12.  Davis, who is majoring in Agronomy and Seed Science,  is passionate about global food security and child nutrition.

“Food security is integral to human life and essential to physical and mental health,” Jensina said.”  “Food insecurity often acts as a comorbidity or causal agent to disease and illness. I firmly believe that global food security cannot be ignored.”

Administered by the ISU Seed Science Center (SSC), the “Hunger Fighter” scholarship is awarded to one sophomore or junior each year who exhibits a demonstrated interest in seed science, global food security and/or childhood nutrition. Recipients are selected based on academic excellence, leadership skills and interpersonal skills.

“We are proud to reward such an outstanding student as Jensina for her dedication to food security and a sustainable future,” said scholarship committee chair and Iowa State Agronomy Professor Susana Goggi. “Jensina is a fine example of someone interested in global food issues who demonstrates her passion through her studies and scholarship.”

David Lambert served as a Distinguished Fellow at the ISU SSC.  He was a tireless champion of  child nutrition, food safety, biotechnology,  and global food security.  He was recognized internationally as an expert in global food security, and he was a passionate advocate of engaging youth in the fight against world hunger.  Additionally, he served to promote the World Food Prize.  This scholarship was established with contributions from his family and friends who wished to honor his memory and the strides he made to address global food security.

 “It’s uplifting to see today’s youth engaged in improving the livelihoods of those less fortunate following in David’s footsteps,” Manjit Misra, SSC Director said. “Through the gift of this scholarship, we can help to inspire  the next generation of hunger fighters. And that is the very best way that we can honor David and continue his legacy.”

Jensina has also been the recipient of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Dean's Leadership Scholarship, the Agronomy Academic Fellowship, and recognized in the top two percent of Agriculture and Life Sciences sophomores with a 3.98 percent grade point average.  Her involvement in student clubs like International Association of Students in Agricultural and Related Sciences has furthered her understanding of global agriculture.  She is also an associate member of the Society of Commercial Seed Technologists  and a student member of the American Seed Trade Association.  After completing her undergraduate degree, she intends to pursue a graduate degree in Agronomy or related field and, eventually, a career in research in the seed industry, investigating how to produce enough quality, nutritious food for a growing population.