Dr. Manjit Misra has had a transformational global impact on food and nutrition security, a fundamental element of safety, security, and peace in the world. He served at Iowa State University as the Director of the Seed Science Center. The center developed national seed systems in seventy-nine countries including thirty-four countries in Africa to help feed the poor. Misra served as the Director of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) with funding of $2B annually to over one hundred universities to conduct innovative research, extension, and education in critical areas of national importance. NIFA established five artificial intelligence institutes and invested $262M in “NextGen” program for educating future leaders. Misra coauthored 137 publications, received ten patents, chaired the National Genetic Resources Advisory Council, received the Distinguished Service Award from the American Seed Trade Association, the USDA secretary’s award, and an honorary Doctor of Science from the President of India.
