Former associate director of the UF/IFAS Center for Public Issues Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources (PIE Center) Alexa Lamm was recently named the recipient of the 2020 Borlaug CAST Communication Award.
The Borlaug CAST Communication Award is presented by the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology to scientists, engineers or other professionals working in sectors related to agriculture and the environment with outstanding achievement in the advancement of science in the public policy arena.
“Being a part of the PIE Center shaped who I am as a researcher and educator,” said Lamm. With a primary purpose of translating scientific information into something the public can understand and use to make the world a better place, the PIE Center’s mission is one we all should strive to achieve.”
Lamm served the PIE Center in multiple capacities, including researcher and associate director, for six years before moving to the University of Georgia where she now serves as an associate professor of science communication and graduate coordinator in the department of agricultural leadership, education and communication.
“During Dr. Lamm’s time in the PIE Center, her research, evaluation and Extension education contributions helped make the PIE Center what it is today,” said PIE Center Director Ricky Telg.
Lamm has a successful research program with more than 150 peer-reviewed journal articles and millions of dollars in extramural funding in such areas as water conservation, STEM education, perceptions of food safety/ quality, and evaluation.
Lamm also values translating research into practical applications and works to outreach her research to clientele groups and the general public through rational and non-traditional media.
“Dr. Lamm continues to impress me with her ability to translate highly technical information into language that anyone can understand,” Telg said.
In addition to her research and outreach efforts, Lamm has mentored numerous graduate students in diverse disciplines, many of whom supported PIE Center-related projects.
Lamm will be recognized at an award presentation during the World Food Prize Symposium week in October 2020 as she joins 10 other talented science communicators in receiving the award.
