February 3, 2006
AMES, Iowa — Two Iowa State University graduate students were recently awarded agronomy fellowships.
Bryce Lemke, working on a doctorate in plant breeding, and Jordan Spear, master’s degree candidate in plant breeding, have been named the recipients of the 2006 Josef F. Schuler Graduate Fellowship in Agronomy.
The award is given to graduate students in the Department of Agronomy who are pursuing a degree with an emphasis in crop breeding. A preference is given to students who have graduated from an Iowa high school or an Iowa undergraduate institution.
Lemke, originally from Alden, is interested in developing a project that will enhance the lysine content of corn, an important consideration for humans who rely on corn as a major portion of their diet. Lemke is working with Jode Edwards, assistant agronomy professor, and Kendall Lamkey, director of the Baker Center for Plant Breeding.
Spear, originally from Burt, is working with Walter Fehr, agronomy professor, on a project involving the genetic improvement of seedling emergence of soybean lines with low-phytate. Spear noted that animal feed made from low-phytate soybeans has the potential to reduce the amount of phosphorous in animal waste, an environmental concern in large-scale animal production systems.
The family of Josef F. Schuler, an ISU alumnus, created the fellowships, which are awarded annually. Schuler, a retired corn breeder, earned master’s and doctorate degrees in agronomy from Iowa State in 1952 and 1954.