At the 2024 World Food Prize event on October 31, Iowa State University junior Alaina Gebel received the prestigious David Lambert “Hunger Fighter” Memorial Scholarship, presented by Dr. Manjit Misra, Director of the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA). The $1,000 scholarship is awarded annually to a student in Iowa State’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences who demonstrates a commitment to seed science, global food security, or child nutrition.
Dr. Manjit Misra, who awarded Gebel the scholarship, praised her dedication to food security and her academic accomplishments.
“Alaina’s commitment to fighting hunger embodies the very mission of this scholarship. She is a true inspiration, and I am confident she will contribute significantly to global food security in the years to come,” said Misra. “The world needs more young leaders like Alaina who are devoted to making a difference.”
Gebel, who is double-majoring in Agriculture Education and International Agriculture with a minor in Agronomy, maintains a perfect 4.0 GPA. Growing up on a small hobby farm in Northeast Iowa, not far from the birthplace of famed agricultural scientist Norman Borlaug, Gebel was inspired early on to make a difference in the fight against hunger.
“Growing up, I always admired Dr. Borlaug’s work and dreamed of one day making a similar impact,” Gebel said. “Receiving this scholarship in his honor encourages me to continue my work in food security and to support those who need it most.”
Her accomplishments are extensive. As the 2024 Borlaug-Thomson Intern for the Norman Borlaug Heritage Foundation, Gebel developed curriculum materials for high school students on Borlaug’s contributions to combating hunger and taught younger children about nutrition and food security. She also engaged fairgoers at local county fairs, sharing the importance of food security and Borlaug’s legacy.
Additionally, Gebel participated in the Dean’s Global Agriculture and Food Leadership Program, where she and her team researched how mobile phones can benefit smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa. Presenting their findings at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization in Rome, Gebel and her team aimed to provide solutions that help reduce malnutrition and poverty.
The scholarship is named in honor of David Lambert, a Distinguished Fellow at Iowa State’s Seed Science Center, who was a renowned advocate for food security and child nutrition. Lambert’s legacy lives on through this scholarship, made possible by his family and a team led by Dr. Susana Goggi.
“We received many strong applications, making the selection process challenging,” said Dr. Goggi. “Alaina’s dedication and achievements stood out, and we are thrilled to recognize her as this year’s Hunger Fighter.”
Alaina Gebel’s story exemplifies the potential of young leaders in agriculture to make a meaningful impact on food security issues worldwide. With continued dedication and support, she is poised to carry forward the legacy of agricultural leaders like Borlaug and Lambert in the global fight against hunger.