OARDC scientist Linda Saif (pictured, right) has received the 2015 Wolf Prize in Agriculture for her work on viral diseases of critical importance to farm animals, food safety and human health.
A Distinguished University Professor in the Food Animal Health Research Program, Saif is the first woman and the first Ohio State scientist to receive the recognition, which the Wolf Foundation of Israel has given since 1978.
In addition to agriculture, the Wolf Prize is given for achievement in the fields of chemistry, mathematics, medicine, physics and the arts. Past recipients include Stephen Hawking (in physics) and Jared Diamond (agriculture).
“Dr. Linda Saif’s work exemplifies our college’s commitment to conducting meaningful research that benefits agriculture as well as human health and well-being,” said Bruce McPheron, vice president for agricultural administration and dean of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences. “This prestigious award is a testament to the world-class research we do at Ohio State.”
“Linda Saif’s work exemplifies our college’s commitment to conducting meaningful research that benefits agriculture as well as human health and well-being.”—Bruce McPheron
‘Extensive contributions’ to health, food security
- In selecting Saif for the award, the Wolf Foundation noted how “her discoveries of novel enteric and respiratory viruses of food animals and humans have led to her extensive contributions of fundamental knowledge of the gut-mammary immunologic axis and has provided new ways to design vaccines and vaccination strategies.”
- Her discoveries, the foundation said, “have contributed immensely to the improvement of global food safety, food production as well as animal and human health.”
- To contact the scientist: Linda Saif at saif.2@osu.edu.