Results After Eight Years the MBBIS Program Is Named After Two Plant Breeding Pioneers
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Results from Monsanto’s Beachell-Borlaug International Scholars Program Ed and Pat Runge and David Baltensperger Program Administered by the Texas A&M AgriLife Research - Soil and Crop Sciences Department, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843 Results after Eight Years The MBBIS program is named after two plant breeding pioneers. • 432 Applicants during the life of the program • 89 Scholars funded through the program Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Year 7 Year 8 Applications 48 47 82 72 65 45 32 41 Received Scholars 12 14 12 14 11 6 9 11 Funded Dr. Norman Borlaug Scholars from 30 countries were funded Argentina - 3 China - 6 Germany - 1 Mali - 1 Syria - 3 Australia - 1 Colombia - 4 Kenya - 2 Mexico - 4 Tajikistan - 1 Bangladesh - 3 Ecuador - 1 Korea - 3 Nepal - 4 Thailand - 1 Benin - 1 Egypt - 1 India - 24 Pakistan- 1 Tunisia - 2 Brazil - 3 England - 1 Iran - 2 Philippines - 2 United States - 5 Canada - 1 Ethiopia - 4 Italy - 1 South Africa - 1 Uruguay - 2 The funded scholars included 35 young women and 54 young men. 52 funded fellowships were provided in wheat breeding. 37 funded fellowships were provided in rice breeding. A total of $13,000,000 was allocated. All scholars involved in the program: Dr. Henry Beachell • Are enrolled in a 40-hour leadership training class • Attend two Monsanto Days at Ankeny or Huxley • Attend two World Food Prize events Post Graduation Employment Ted Crosbie MBBISP Impact Award 11 scholars are in the process of completing their Ph.D. programs. 7 have taken family leave or other 71 have graduated and entered the workforce. 12 are employed by the CGIAR Centers (CIMMYT, IRRI, CIAT, ICARDA and ICRISAT) 12 are employed by the USDA or USDA equivalent for other countries 37 are in academia as Post Doctoral Associates or Professors 10 are employed by commercial companies Core Ideas and Judging Panel Members Conclusions Dr. Bhoja Basnet was selected by Monsanto to receive the first Ted Sanjaya Rajaram Crosbie MBBISP Impact Award. This award was created in 2017 to CIMMYT and ICARDA Interaction between professors and recognize Scholar contributions to agriculture. Mike Gale (2009) scientists of developed and developing/ John Innes Centre, United Kingdom transition countries was greatly enhanced Growing up on a one-acre subsistence farm in Jhapa, Nepal, Bhoja Catherine Feuillet (2010 - 2014) knew he wanted to pursue a career in agriculture science. He received by the MBBISP. INRA, France his MS from South Dakota State University under the supervision of The program provided graduate student Peter Langridge (2014 - 2016) Dr. Karl Glover and Dr. Amir Ibrahim and went on to earn his Ph.D. support for 89 Ph.D. students in wheat and University of Adelaide, Australia rice breeding from 30 different countries. Gurdev Khush in Plant Breeding from Texas A&M University under the supervision IRRI and University of California-Davis of Ibrahim. MBBISP graduate training programs were Monty Jones (2009-2012) unique, since they required training in Forum for Agriculture Research in Africa Bhoja now leads the hybrid wheat program at The International Maize developed countries as well as developing and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) Jan Leach (2012-2016) or transition countries. Colorado State University and IRRI Establishment of a 40-hour Leadership Ronald Phillips University of Minnesota The Impact Award is named in memory of Dr. Theodore “Ted” Training Course was a highly regarded Crosbie, formerly a Monsanto seed executive and Iowa’s chief contribution of the MBBISP. Huqu Zhai technology officer. Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences Graduate students funded by the MBBISP Ted was involved in creating the MBBISP and participated in the Theodore Crosbie program from its establishment until his death in 2016. participated in breeding programs in Monsanto - Ex-Officio Member developed and developing/transitional He was also an Ex-Officio member of the judging panel and arranged Edward Runge the Monsanto Day activities during the scholars trips to Des Moines, countries. Program Director & Judging Panel Chair IA, during the first two years of their Ph.D. study. Texas A&M University.