The UMD Global STEWARDS Graduate Training Program, funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) National Research Traineeship (NRT) program, welcomed its fourth cohort of doctoral students at a welcome event on Friday December 3, 2021. Twelve Global STEWARDS from five UMD schools and colleges (SPH, ENG, AGNR, CNMS, BSOS) will come together over the next calendar year and engage in interdisciplinary training and research opportunities aimed at creating innovative and sustainable solutions that ensure food, energy and water (FEW) security for future generations.
Through a series of novel courses, UMD Global STEWARDS are exposed to a wide range of topics in integrated FEW research areas: 1) Agricultural resilience through energy-efficient water reuse; 2) Food safety and security in variable climate scenarios; 3) Decision support systems to advance food-energy-water adaptation strategies; and 4) Human and social aspects of the FEW nexus. Systems thinking approaches, interdisciplinary collaboration, and communicating science to diverse audiences are also core tenets of the program which focuses on training future changemakers at the FEW nexus.
The program, led by Principal Investigator Amy R. Sapkota, professor in the School of Public Health, consists of five interdisciplinary elements, including experiential coursework; intensive, annual, week-long professional development workshop during the summer; an optional local internship based in a non-academic setting; a short term study abroad trip to work with partner organizations in Israel, Ethiopia or Nepal; and involvement in food, energy and water-related outreach, service, and mentoring. The fellows will also lead committees aimed at strengthening and enhancing essential aspects of the program.
The new cohort of UMD Global STEWARDS and their advisors are listed below:
Ibiyinka Amokeodo (SPH)
Advisor: Dr. Amy Sapkota
Christopher Baker (CMNS)
Advisor: Dr. Xin-Xhong Liang
Dana Buckholz (SPH)
Advisor: Dr. Paul Turner
Stephanie Chia (CMNS)
Advisor: Dr. Bill Fagan
Elamin Mohammed Elamin (BSOS)
Advisor: Dr. Meredith Gore
Emily Healey (SPH)
Advisor: Dr. Rachel Rosenberg Goldstein
Maia Karpovich (CMNS)
Advisor: Dr. Eugenia Kalnay
Meigan McManus (ENG)
Advisor: Dr. Allen Davis
Cara Peterson (AGNR)
Advisor: Dr. Katherine Tully
Vivek Ravichandran (SPH)
Advisor: Dr. Sacoby Wilson
Amanda Siciliano (ENG)
Advisor: Dr. Liangbing Hu
Linda Waters (ENG)
Advisor: Dr. Allison Reilly
Visit our website to learn more about the UMD Global STEWARDS Program.