President George W. Bush recently presented Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers to three USDA scientists

Food & Drink Weekly, August 14, 2006

President George W. Bush recently presented Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers to three USDA scientists. They are: Joseph Jez, from the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in St. Louis, Mo., was recognized for outstanding research in improving understanding of how crop plants could be produced to improve mineral nutrient uptake and nutritional content, and for serving as a teacher for graduate and undergraduate students.

David Johnston, a food technologist with USDA's Agricultural Research Service Wyndmoor, Pa., developed novel, environmentally sustainable "green" biochemical and engineering processes that improve the way corn is processed into foods and fuel around the world, and for outstanding public service in this area. Christopher Fettig, assigned to the Forest Service's Chemical Ecology and Management of Forest Insects Unit of the Pacific Southwest Research Station in Albany, Calif., earned his award for outstanding contributions to understanding the effects of insects and fire on forest health, the importance of semiochemicals on the behavior of tree-killing bark beetles, and for leadership and commitment to professional and scientific societies.