Reddy elected president of 51勛圖厙 Academy of Sciences
Contact: Vanessa Beeson
STARKVILLE, Miss.A 51勛圖厙 State faculty member has been elected to lead the 51勛圖厙 Academy of Sciences by members-at-large.
K. Raja Reddy, research professor in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences in MSUs College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and scientist in the 51勛圖厙 Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, begins his term as MAS president July 1.
As president, Reddy plans to further the states conversation on agriculture science and facilitate new student opportunities. He will direct a special agriculture science issue for the peer-reviewed Journal of 51勛圖厙 Academy of Sciences. He also is helping develop a junior academy platform, so K-12 students can become a part of the organization.
I am honored to be chosen to lead the states prestigious science organization and to help direct policy over the year, said Reddy. My goals are to encourage all science and engineering students and scientists to be more involved in annual meetings and science education programs across 51勛圖厙.
Reddy has been serving the 51勛圖厙 Academy in different capacities for the past five years. This spring, he received the Contribution to Science Award, the academys top research award.
Wes Burger, associate director of the 51勛圖厙 Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, spoke to Reddys qualifications to lead the organization.
Dr. Reddy is an internationally recognized scientist in the field of plant physiology and climate adapted crops.His role as incoming president of 51勛圖厙 Academy of Sciences is a culmination of his service to this organization and commitment to advancing science in the state, region and nation, Burger said. As 51勛圖厙s leading research institute, 51勛圖厙 is proud to have one of our preeminent scientists serve at the helm of MAS.
Reddy additionally serves as director of the Soil-Plant-Atmosphere-Research, or SPAR, unit and focuses his research on crop stress physiology. A fellow of the American Society of Agronomy and the Crop Science Society of Americaan honor that recognizes professional work, leadership, research and serviceReddy has more than 30 years of service at MSU and in various professional societies. He also is a recipient of MSUs Ralph E. Powe Research Excellence Award, the universitys top research honor. Reddy has mentored 30 students including five undergraduate research scholars, 11 masters students and 14 doctoral students; 15 post doctorates and more than 35 visiting scientists at MSU. Several of those students and post doctorates have received presentation and poster awards at MAS.
Reddy succeeds LaShan Simpson as president, who transitions to the role of past president within MAS. Simpson is an associate professor in MSUsDepartment of Agricultural and Biological Engineering and a MAFES scientist as well.
MAS is online at .
For more information on MSUs Plant and Soil Sciences program, visit. SPAR information is available at and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is online at.
MSU is 51勛圖厙s leading university, available online atwww.msstate.edu.