Award supports emerging scientists advancing crop, livestock, and food system innovation

The Genome Partnership has announced the recipients of the 2026 Next Gen Leadership Awards for the AGBT Agricultural Meeting. These awards recognize outstanding early-career scientists and graduate students whose work is shaping the future of agricultural genomics. Award recipients receive financial support to attend and present their research, with opportunities to engage with leaders in the field and build connections across the genomics community.

The AGBT Agricultural Meeting is a leading conference focused on agricultural genomics, plant and animal genetics, and emerging technologies including AI and genomic data science.

2026 AGBT Agricultural Meeting Next Gen Leadership Awardees:

• Boris M. E. Alladassi, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
• Mythri Bikkasani, Punjab Agricultural University, India
• Larissa Bordin Temp, São Paulo State University
• Lauren Johnson, University of Kentucky
• Mehak Kapoor, Iowa State University
• Pedro Nuñez Romano, Universitat Politècnica de València
• Viona Osei, Tuskegee University
• Kyungyong Seong, University of California, Davis
• Jade van Wijk, Earlham Institute

“These awardees reflect the strength and diversity of emerging talent in agricultural genomics,” said Sarah Hearne, chief science and innovation officer at CIMMYT and co-chair of the AGBT Agriculture Scientific Organizing Committee. “AGBT Agriculture plays an important role in bringing early-career scientists from different countries and disciplines into conversation with leaders across the field, helping accelerate the translation of genomics into practice and practice into real-world impact.”

These awardees’ research spans genomic variability, genetic analysis, molecular diagnostics, foodborne pathogen surveillance, crop improvement, food safety, sustainable agriculture, and breeding efficiency. Their work reflects AGBT’s mission to advance research, promote education, and expand the impact of genome science and technology.

“The Next Gen Leadership Award represents a transformative opportunity to grow as a scientist and contribute more effectively to innovation in animal breeding,” said Larissa Bordin Temp, a 2026 Next Gen Leadership Award recipient.

For photos and additional information about the Next Gen Leadership Awards and AGBT Agriculture Meeting, visit www.agbt.org.

About AGBT

Advances in Genome Biology and Technology provides a forum for the global genomics community to exchange ideas and advance the field. Through its meetings, AGBT convenes leaders across academia, industry, and investment to share discoveries, foster collaboration, and drive genomics forward across healthcare, agriculture, and emerging technologies.

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“These awardees reflect the strength and diversity of emerging talent in agricultural genomics,” said Sarah Hearne, chief science and innovation officer at CIMMYT and co-chair of the AGBT Agriculture Scientific Organizing Committee.