Dr. Amelia Henry
Humanitarian Award Recipient

Dr. Henry is a Senior Scientist at the International Rice Research Institute in the Philippines.  She has been described as “a highly creative and dynamic scientist working at the forefront of global food security to develop rice varieties with greater drought tolerance.”

After receiving a Ph.D. in Plant Biology from Penn State in 2008, Dr. Henry joined the Institute as a Postdoctoral Fellow.  She was appointed as a Scientist in 2011 and has advanced quickly through the Institute’s research levels to achieve what may be described as the equivalent stature of Associate Professor at a very demanding university.

Dr. Henry was praised as a “selfless and supportive mentor for young scientists and research colleagues in developing countries”; “a role model for young women considering careers in a research domain that has traditionally been dominated by men”; and “an exceptional person, leader and scientist having significant impact on the greatest humanitarian crisis facing our species — global food security.”