Congrats to the 2013 AGNR Alumni Awards Recipients!

Congratulations to the recipients of the 2013 College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Alumni Awards! The honorees were celebrated at an awards banquet held at the University of Maryland's Riggs Alumni Center on April 16.

The College of AGNR Alumni Chapter selected the award winners from a pool of nominations.

The 2013 awards went to:

Outstanding Graduate Student – Ph.D. candidate: Lindsey Vansandt, Animal and Avian Sciences

Lindsey Vansandt’s doctoral research in the Department of Animal and Avian Sciences focuses on developing a protocol for extracting, storing and preserving genetic data from testicular tissue using the domestic cat as a model for other wild feline species. Prior to studying at UMD, Lindsey earned her doctorate of veterinary medicine from the University of Missouri-Columbia and conducted research at the St. Louis Zoo evaluating and banking semen specimens for a variety of species. She currently serves as instructor of the Physiology of Mammalian Reproductive Laboratory and was instrumental in developing the course content, creating lab guides and mentoring undergraduates. Lindsey is also active in the Animal Sciences Graduate Student Association where she has served as president and vice president.

Outstanding Graduate Student – M.S. candidate: Natalie Lounsbury, Environmental Science and Technology

Natalie Lounsbury’s background as an organic crop inspector and farm manager in Maine led her to her current research track at the University of Maryland investigating how cover crops can facilitate no-till planting of early spring vegetables. Natalie’s interests include efficient nutrient cycling, soil conservation and farm economic viability. Her future plans are to “combine experience and training in environmental science, farming and social science to develop agricultural practices that benefit farmers, consumers and the environment.”

Outstanding Student – 4 year program: Jason Chun Yu Wong, Environmental Science and Policy – Environmental Economics

For Jason Chun Yu Wong, pursuing a double degree in Environmental Economics and Mathematics wasn’t quite enough. He decided to add a degree in Germanic studies as well! During his four years at the University of Maryland, Jason served as a peer mentor for the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, worked as a teaching assistant for AREC 200 (Economics of the Chesapeake Bay) and represented AGNR at the university’s Undergraduate Research Day as well as the Atlantic Coast Conference Meeting of the Minds Undergraduate Research Conference in Blacksburg, Va. Jason is currently studying abroad in Germany and has been accepted into the AREC graduate studies program for the fall of 2013.

Outstanding Student – 2 year program: Michael Walsh, Landscape Management

Michael Walsh graduated from the Institute of Applied Agriculture in December ’12 and now works as a horticulturist at Columbia Country Club in Chevy Chase. While studying with the IAA, Walsh orchestrated a project to move plants from the old President’s house on the College Park campus to install at the Rossborough Inn. He also served as president of the student chapter of the Professional Grounds Management Society and received numerous scholarships from various industry groups including the Maryland Nursery and Landscape Association, the Montgomery County Farm Bureau and Turf Equipment and Supply Company.

Excellence in Instruction: Stephanie Yarwood, Environmental Science and Technology

Stephanie Yarwood, Ph.D., says the main reason she pursued advanced degrees was so that she could one day teach at a university. Hired by the Department of Environmental Science & Technology at UMD in 2011, Stephanie teaches Soil Biochemistry and Microbial Ecology to undergraduate and graduate students. Her evaluations are consistently outstanding and students rank her 10 percent higher than the College mean. She co-advises a Capstone group and mentors four undergraduate students working in her lab to evaluate the effect of forage radish on the abundance of bacteria and fungi in agricultural soils.

Excellence in Extension: Amy Burk, Animal and Avian Sciences

Amy Burk, Ph.D., coordinates the Equine Extension Program for University of Maryland Extension focusing on three major areas: equine nutrition, horse pasture management and 4-H youth development. Amy is credited with developing an extensive applied research program to support her Extension efforts in areas including weight gain, diet and exercise on insulin sensitivity and inflammation in Thoroughbred geldings and works with a team of 23 on an equine pasture management program at the Central Maryland Research and Education Center located in Howard County. She also created an “Ask the Experts” column featured in major equine publications, is a regular presenter at the Horse World Expo and coordinates the Maryland 4-H volunteer horse council.

Excellence in Research: Nadine Sahyoun, Nutrition and Food Science

Nadine Sahyoun, Ph.D., is an associate professor for the Department of Nutrition and Food Science whose area of expertise is in the field of nutrition epidemiology and aging. The goal of her research is to improve the quality of life for older adults and in the process, decrease health expenditures. Nadine’s work was among the first to focus attention on the importance of nutrition in the transition of care. She received many national invitations to present her findings, garnered extensive publicity in the media over the last several years and has been instrumental in securing nearly $3 million in grants to support her research.

Outstanding Alumnus: Charles Iager ’65, Dairy Husbandry

For more than four decades, alumnus Charles Iager ’65 has been an enthusiastic supporter and respected leader for the College of AGNR, Maryland 4-H youth programs and the University of Maryland in general. He is currently chair of the Maryland 4-H Foundation Board of Directors, served several past terms on the AGNR Alumni Chapter Board of Directors and is a past Director of the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity’s Alumni Board. Charles and his wife Judy established a scholarship to support students in the Department of Animal and Avian Sciences and have been actively involved in planning and generating interest in the recently-launched Campus Farm Revitalization Project. The Iagers received the “Spirit of Maryland” award in 2011 from the university’s alumni association. The AGNR Alumni Chapter is grateful to be able to count on the couple’s unfailing attendance at events, hospitality at their 1,200-acre dairy farm in nearby Fullton, Md., and generously-donated dairy memorabilia for silent auctions and other fundraisers.

Outstanding Alumnus - Early Career: April Hall Barczewski, University of Maryland Extension – Cecil County

A 1999 graduate from the Department of Animal and Avian Sciences, April Hall Barczewski currently serves as a 4-H Youth Development Educator for University of Maryland Extension in Cecil County. April is a staunch promoter of the College of AGNR’s programs, coaches Dairy Bowl teams at the regional, state and national levels, and is a founding member of the AGsploration: The Science of Maryland Agriculture team that generated a series of lesson plans for use in Maryland middle schools. April first joined University of Maryland Extension in 2000.

Circle of Friends     

The Circle of Friends award is presented to individuals or organizations that have supported and enhanced AGNR initiatives and programs with mentoring or by providing services. This year’s designees include:

Professional Grounds Management Society, DC Branch

Easton High School Culinary Arts Program

Once again, congratulations to this year’s winners!The AGNR Alumni Celebration and Awards Presentation will take place Tuesday, April 16.