Wentz-Griswold Agricultural Research Scholars
Scholars to Honor a Legacy
Thanks to the generosity of Michele Griswold, the CALS Pathways Program is pleased to announce the Wentz-Griswold Agricultural Undergraduate Research Scholars.
This award is intended to support undergraduate students with financial need, engage in undergraduate research, and participate in the CALS Pathways to Innovation and Leadership program, which emphasizes hands-on, transformative experiences, including undergraduate research, that prepare students for leadership in agriculture and related industries.
This award honors the legacy of the late Emanuel Edward Wentz, an Iowa farm landowner and elevator manager, and celebrates the continued commitment of his granddaughter, Michele Griswold and her husband, Gary, to agricultural education and opportunity.
Apply for the Wentz-Griswold Agricultural Scholars Award
Applications closed for Spring 2026. See Awards and Funds for future opportunities.
Spring 2026 Recipients
Abby Ingersoll
Horticulture | Freshman
Research Mentors: Dr. Thomas Lubberstedt & Sarah Pfeffer
Project: Quantification of Anomalies Identified During Meiosis Telophase II in ZmPSI Insertion Mutants
Bhawna Meemrot
Agronomy | Junior
Research Mentor: Dr. Bradley Miller
Project: Digitizing 1990s Soil Mapping in GIS
Caroline Strawhacker
Agricultural Business | Junior
Research Mentor: Dr. Rabail Chandio
Project: Understanding Perspectives on Iowa Farmland and Values
Daniel Mitzel
Agronomy | Junior
Research Mentor: Dr. Jared Flater
Project: Analyzing Soybean Nodulation Under Soil pH Conditions
Ella McGrath
Horticulture | Junior
Research Mentor: Dr. Dior Kelley
Project: Regulation of Root Development by Auxin Pathway Genes
Ellie Volkers
Animal Science | Senior
Research Mentor: Dr. Jennifer Bundy
Project: From Classroom to Career: Analyzing Engagement and Professional Outcomes in Animal Science
Emma Ihnen
Animal Science | Sophomore
Research Mentor: Dr. Daniel Unruh
Project: Listenia Stress Response to Food Production Environment Conditions
Joao Freiria
Agronomy | Senior
Research Mentor: Dr. Elnaz Ebrahimi
Project: Impact of Planting Depth on Soybeans using Rhizoboxes
Lucie Albin
Animal Science | Freshman
Research Mentor: Dr. Karl Kerns
Project: Elucidating Pig Embryo In Vitro Development
Makenna Hansen
Animal Science | Freshman
Research Mentor: Dr. Maria Wurzinger
Project: Llama Farming in Iowa
Nathan Collett
Animal Science | Junior
Research Mentor: Dr. Maria Merodio
Project: Biomarkers Quantification in Dogs with Chronic Enteropathy
Nessecity Tuttle
Animal Science | Junior
Research Mentor: Dr. Gustavo Gutierrez
Project: Genomic Tools for Sheep Improvement