Three ISU Graduate Students Honored as NAPB Borlaug Graduate Scholars
AMES, Iowa — April 15th, 2026 — Iowa State University (ISU) graduate students, Venkata Naresh Boddepalli, Yue Liu and Leocade Azonhoumon have been selected as 2026 Borlaug Graduate Scholars by the National Association for Plant Breeding (NAPB), a national honor recognizing outstanding graduate students preparing for careers in plant breeding.
The NAPB Borlaug Graduate Scholars program supports and highlights emerging leaders whose research and professional goals align with advancing crop improvement and global food security. Named in honor of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, the scholarship recognizes students who demonstrate strong academic achievement, leadership potential, and a commitment to plant breeding and applied agricultural research.
Boddepalli, Liu and Azonhoumon were selected through a competitive national review process that evaluates academic excellence, research contributions, and dedication to the plant breeding profession. As Borlaug Scholars, they join a distinguished group of graduate students from across the country who represent the future of plant breeding and agricultural innovation.