Tek Prasad Gotame, Ph.D.
PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (January 27, 2020) – Climate change. Food insecurity. Global hunger. These are three topics that will be on the mind of Tek Prasad Gotame, Ph.D., a Fulbright Visiting Scholar from Nepal when he arrives at Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) on Jan. 29. Not only will he talk about how those items drive his current research of exploring molecular breeding of tomatoes to withstand heat stress, but he will also encourage students and staff to apply to be Fulbright Scholars.
“Students have to think locally and act globally. We have to be problem-solver candidates. The Fulbright is not just an exchange of ideas,” Gotame said. “Here in the U.S., I came to learn many new things that I cannot learn in my country. It is amazing to be here and learn new technology,” the horticulturist said about his assignment at North Carolina State University in Mills River, where he’s studying in their Fresh Market Tomato Breeding Program.
Gotame’s one-day visit to PVAMU includes two lectures on his tomato research in Nepal. The session for faculty (in May Hall, room 119 at 11 a.m.) will focus on the lifestyle and culture of Nepal, while the student lecture (at 3 p.m. in Agbusiness, room 114) will cover challenges and prospects of his country’s agriculture.
“I am coming to PV to share my experiences in Nepal,” the researcher said about his first visit to Texas and America. “I will talk about the challenges and opportunities in front of the communities and developing countries, and how we can solve these problems, including future food deficiency problems, malnutrition, and climate change.”
Gotame’s schooling has been global. According to Fulbright-Nepal, he received a Master’s of Science in Agriculture from Tribhuvan University in Nepal and an International Masters in Horticulture Science jointly from the University of Bologna, Technical University of Munich, and University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Science. He earned a Ph.D. from the Faculty of Science and Technology, Aarhus University, Denmark.
Gotame is a Senior Scientist at the Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC), which—according to its website— “conducts agricultural research in the country to uplift the economic level of the people.” Gotame looks forward to learning about studies and research underway on “The Hill.”
“I’m very excited to learn about projects in Agriculture at Prairie View,” the scientist said about his first visit to a Historically Black College/University, “to see what research the graduate students are doing, and meet with the Ph.D. students as well.”
Evie Myers, executive director of PVAMU’s Office of International Programs, said her office teamed up with the College of Agriculture and Human Sciences and the Center for Teaching Excellence to produce Fulbright Scholars at PVAMU.
“It’s such an honor [to host a Fulbright scholar]. And, to be able to have a Fulbright student and faculty from Prairie View would be just a great thing for Prairie View,” said Myers, a 2013 Fulbright to Japan awardee. “It would just uplift everything else that we’re doing to internationalize our campus and to let the world know we do have people here that have the ability to be Fulbrighters.”
Each year, some 800 faculty and professionals from around the world receive Fulbright Scholar grants for advanced research and university lecturing in the United States. Individuals who meet the eligibility requirements can apply for grants through Fulbright Commissions or public affairs section of the U.S. Embassy in their home countries.
Gotame said his lectures are on his experience in Nepal. Still, as a visiting scholar, he will also share what he’s learned from his doctoral studies in Denmark, as well as his ongoing study of how global warming is impacting various industries. He’s now seeing climate change’s effect on U.S. crops.
“Heatwaves might come and hinder the growth and produce of the fruits, vegetables, and other crops. In certain cases, we have to develop a new variety of crops due to climate change,” Gotame said, noting that will impact the business (of farming and international trade) and healthcare and social services (living with food insecurity and poverty).
The Fulbright Experience at PVAMU will also include two information sessions on how to become a Fulbright Scholar, which will consist of representatives from the Houston office of the Institute of International Education (IIE), which works with campuses and their applicants for Fulbright. The faculty session will take place at 12:30 p.m. in May Hall, room 119. The student session will be in the same room, starting at 2 p.m.
“My goal is to make certain we have Fulbrighters here at Prairie View that receive their Fulbright designation while they’re here at Prairie View,” Myers said about the honor she called life-changing. “I’m really hoping we can have students and faculty to apply and take advantage of this opportunity.”
###
By Michael Douglas