University of Arkansas alumnus Aaron Shew was awarded the Young Scientists Award at the International Rice Congress conference held in Singapore last week. The conference is the biggest gathering of scientists, policymakers, agriculture experts and technology providers from the world of rice research.

Shew investigates consumer valuations of biotech rice interventions associated with insect resistance. His research contributes to understanding consumer preferences for conventional and advanced biotechnology products.

Shew graduated from the University of Arkansas with a doctorate in environmental dynamics in spring 2018. He is currently a post-doctoral fellow in the Center for Advanced Spatial Technology, in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service.

Shew was recently named the R.E. Lee Wilson Chair in agricultural business at Arkansas State University. He will begin in the role in spring 2019.