Gebisa Ejeta, an Ethiopian scientist, honored with US National Medal of Science

Gebisa Ejeta, a scientist originally from Ethiopia, has been honored with the National Medal of Science, the highest recognition for scientists in the United States. US President Joe Biden recognized Mr. Ejeta for his exceptional work in the field of plant genetics. Known as one of the world's top plant geneticists, he specializes in studying sorghum, a widely consumed food source in Africa. In 2009, Mr. Ejeta won the esteemed World Food Prize for developing a sorghum hybrid that is resistant to drought and a troublesome weed called Striga, which commonly affects African farms. Sorghum is the fifth most significant cereal crop globally and the second most important cereal in Africa, making it a staple for several countries on the continent, especially those vulnerable to drought. Growing up in a small thatched house in central Ethiopia, Mr. Ejeta had limited access to education and had to travel a considerable distance to attend school. His childhood experiences of hunger and food scarcity have greatly influenced his scientific research, motivating him to strive for improved food security. Purdue University, where Mr. Ejeta works as a professor and leads global food security programs, hailed him as a role model of perseverance and one of the most impactful geneticists in the world. President Biden praised Mr. Ejeta for his contributions to improving food security and described him as an advocate for science, policy, and institutions in economic development. The National Medal of Science has been awarded since 1959 to individuals who have made outstanding contributions in various scientific fields. In 2009, Mr. Ejeta was also honored with the National Hero Award by the Ethiopian government, the highest national recognition given to Ethiopian citizens. Additionally, he was appointed to the Board for International Food and Agricultural Development by former US President Barack Obama in 2011.