CRDF Global Names Siela Maximova Inaugural Henrietta H. Fore Women in Science Fellow

Newswise — ARLINGTON, VA—CRDF Global announced today that Siela Maximova, Senior Scientist and Professor of Horticulture at The Pennsylvania State University has been named the first-ever Henrietta H. Fore Women in Science Fellow. CRDF Global is an independent, nonprofit that promotes international scientific and technical collaboration. In her role as Fellow, Maximova will focus on expanding opportunities for women scientists around the world to collaborate in science and engineering. She will research opportunities and impediments to international collaboration involving women scientists, advise CRDF Global on ways to strengthen existing program opportunities, and make recommendations for possible new programs.

Maximova has B.S. and M.S. degrees in Agricultural Engineering and Horticulture from the Agricultural University, Plovdiv, Bulgaria, and a Ph.D. in Plant Physiology from The Pennsylvania State University. She has conducted basic and applied research in crop improvement to increase food and fuel availability. She was born in Bulgaria, and speaks English, Russian and Bulgarian.

“I am excited to take part in the Henrietta H. Fore Women in Science Fellowship because I am passionate about helping other women scientists and all women from around the world to succeed in their careers,” said Siela Maximova. “As someone who has lived and worked as a scientist in Eastern Europe, the U.S. and many developing countries, I have seen the challenges that women are facing worldwide, particularly in the field of agricultural sciences,” said Maximova.

“In addition to extensive experience in basic and applied research, Siela brings a valuable international perspective; government and industry-sector expertise; knowledge in managing collaborative research andtechnology-transfer projects; and is an experienced teacher, trainer and mentor,” said CRDF Global President and CEO, Cathy Campbell. “We are excited to have her contribute to our efforts in furthering international scientific and technical collaboration, and to help establish new programs and initiatives to expand opportunities for women in science all over the world,” said Campbell.

The Fellowship will begin in September. Maximova was competitively selected from among women with or pursuing a Ph.D. in the natural sciences, mathematics, engineering, or biomedical and behavioral sciences. The Fellowship is named after Henrietta H. Fore, former Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and Director of U.S. Foreign Assistance. She was the first woman to hold these positions. She was also a recipient of CRDF Global’s 2013 George Brown Award for International Scientific Cooperation. Currently she is Chairman and CEO of Holsman International, an investment and management company.

“The world needs more scientists who seek to collaborate in programs and research,” said Henrietta H. Fore. “We also need more women scientists and CRDF Global is the perfect leader for these endeavors,” she said.

About CRDF Global CRDF Global is an independent, nonprofit organization established in 1995 to promote international scientific and technical collaboration through grants, technical resources and training. CRDF Global has nearly 20 years of experience managing international research funding programs and supporting emerging science and technology infrastructure in more than 40 countries in Eurasia, the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia.

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