Brown graduate Blum wins national honor for earth and environmental science research

2016 Brown University graduate Alexander Blum is this year's United States/Canada regional winner of the Undergraduate Award in the Earth and Environmental Sciences category.

Blum won the award for a research paper he wrote that was the top among North American undergraduates in his discipline.

"Though I am very appreciative that my paper was recognized," Blum said, "I believe that the commendation more broadly reflects the outstanding work regularly done by many students and faculty on Brown’s campus."

Blum’s paper, “Rational Misconception: Agricultural Biotechnology,” discusses how crucial well-informed conversations for stakeholders are when it comes to understanding agricultural technologies and how the best possible usage and regulations can be effective, responsible and sustainable.

"This is a distinctive academic awards program because students compete with other undergraduates from top universities around the world, including many of our Ivy League peers," Dean of Undergraduate Research at Brown Oludurotimi Adetunji said. "This was the first year that Brown University students competed, and I am very excited that they have done so well. It is a clear recognition of their scholarship beyond the walls of Brown or even the United States."