Oct. 14, 2021

Two seniors to present research at international institute

Two Upper St. Clair High School seniors were recently named Borlaug Scholars and were selected to present their research at the World Food Prize Foundation’s Global Youth Institute. Paige Copenhaver and Nitish Sharma will present their research this Monday, Oct. 18, 2021, during the virtual event. 

Paige and Nitish participated in the Pennsylvania School for Excellence in the Agricultural Sciences Program 2021, formerly a Governor’s School at Penn State University, during the summer. The program is designed to provide rising senior high school students an expansive overview of the diverse fields of agricultural science and natural resources in the university setting. Both Paige and Nitish attended core agricultural and environmental courses, and researched a topic related to food insecurity in a targeted country as part of the World Food Prize Foundation.

In the research paper entitled, “Germany's Attack on Food Spoilage and Waste,” Paige examined spoilage and waste related to food insecurity in Germany, while Nitish’s paper, entitled, “The Status of Water and Sanitation in Nigeria,” studied water and sanitation in Nigeria and the relationship to food insecurity there. Both presented their findings and proposed solutions during the Pennsylvania Youth Institute in July 2021.

“Both Paige and Nitish approached the virtual program, especially in these pandemic times, with thoughtfulness, dedication, and engagement,” Jenneth Layaou, director of the Pa. School for Excellence in the Agricultural Sciences, said.

Each October, more than 200 high school students from around the world are selected to participate in the three-day Global Youth Institute hosted by the World Food Prize Foundation in Des Moines, Iowa.  Students have the opportunity to interact with Nobel and World Food Prize Laureates and discuss pressing food security and agricultural issues with international experts.

During the conference, student delegates present and discuss their findings with international experts and their peers, connect with other students from around the world, tour cutting-edge industrial and research facilities, and take part in symposium discussions with global leaders in science, industry and policy.