Page 3 - Impact Winter 2022

ALUMNI LEADING ACROSS THE GLOBE
All around the world, CFANS alumni bring their rich experience and deep expertise to a wide variety of roles that focus on building a better tomorrow. Recently, three of our graduates — from Minnesota to Morocco — have made news for their distinctive achievements. We are #CFANSProud of Shefali, Mohamed, and Luke, and look forward to their continued leadership!
Advancing Minnesota with new faculty members
In 2021, the Agricultural Research, Education
and Extension Tech Transfer program (AGREETT) welcomed two new CFANS faculty members. AGREETT funds, approved by the Minnesota legislature, bring research faculty, graduate students and Extension to the University to tackle the critical challenges facing agriculture today. AGREETT advances our state’s food, economy, communities, and environment — making Minnesota healthier and more sustainable for its residents.
Megan McCaghey, PhD, is
an assistant professor in the Department of Plant Pathology. An expert in soil-borne fungal diseases of crop plants, she is interested in the ecology and epidemiology of soil-associated
fungi and oomycetes, and enhancing host disease resistance to improve crop management.
“As an AGREETT faculty member, I want to conduct translational, grower-driven research to progress tools for plant disease management,” said McCaghey. “I look forward to building a network
of grower, UMN, and regional colleagues to better understand disease challenges and pursue important research questions related to soilborne fungi.”
Isaac Salfer, PhD, is an assistant professor in the Department of Animal Science. His research focuses on understanding the metabolic physiology of dairy cattle to develop nutritional strategies
to enhance the productivity and efficiency of dairy operations.
“As a U of M alumnus, I have an immense appreciation for the investment the state has made in the AGREETT program,” said Salfer. “I am excited to use my role as a teaching and research faculty member to help advance the AGREETT mission, and educate future generations of leaders within the dairy industry.”
Shefali Mehta, PhD
Applied Economics ’07
Mohamed Sadiki, PhD
Plant Breeding ’90
Luke Becker, BS
Agricultural Education ’09
The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently named Shefali Mehta
the Deputy Under Secretary
for Research, Education
and Economics. Mehta, an environmental and agricultural economist and statistician, has worked in roles across private, public and non-profit sectors.
Morocco’s King Mohammed VI appointed Mohamed Sadiki to the country’s new government
in fall 2021. Sadiki, who has extensive experience serving in Morocco’s agricultural sector, was named the country’s Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests.
Luke Becker, agricultural technology and physics teacher
at Minnesota’s Braham Area High School, was named Teacher of the Year by the Association for Career and Technical Education. Becker’s students have filled a trophy case with technology competition awards, beating teams from universities
such as Cal Poly, Texas A&M and Louisiana Tech.
MEET
AGREETT