AMES, IA – A science educator and a film producer were honored at the 2019 Everson Global Seed Symposium. The Iowa State University (ISU) Seed Science Center (SSC) gave the Lifetime Achievement and Service Award in Seed Science Technology and Systems to two very deserving individuals.
“Every year the Seed Science Center recognizes exemplary leadership and commitment to excellence as a tireless advocate for Iowa State and for the global seed industry,” said Dr. Dan Robison, Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at ISU. “This year we have two. One who has made her impact in the world of education and science and the other who has made his impact through communication.”
The recipient of the Lifetime Achievement award was Dr. Catherine Woteki. Dr. Woteki has served as Chief Scientist and Under Secretary for USDA's Research, Education, and Economics from 2010 to 2016. She is a 
staunch advocate for domestic and international food and agricultural research. She is currently the president of the Charles Valentine Riley Memorial Foundation, a professor of food science and human nutrition at Iowa State, and she chaired the planning committee for this symposium.
“Dr. Woteki is recognized for her strong support of the USDA National Seed Health System, which is administered by our Seed Science Center,” said Dr. Manjit Misra, Director of ISU-SSC. “With her outstanding leadership, the National Seed Health System flourished and today it is responsible for ensuring the integrity of over a billion dollars-worth of seeds exported annually from the United States.”
The recipient of the Service Award in Seed Science and Technology Systems was Walker Lambert. Lambert is a producer, writer and film-maker with Pierce Mill Media. He most recently produced a documentary commissioned by the Seed Science Center, called “Seeds! Diversity of Wonder.”
“Walker has a passion for both story-telling and for seed science,” Dr. Misra said. “It is a trait he inherited from his father, the late Dr. David Lambert.”
Walker has 15 years of experience producing, writing and directing video and live productions with a specialty in educational and social impact media. He enjoys the challenge of uncovering stories to communicate complex messages and ideas in simple, persuasive and captivating ways.