Potato LEAF awards scholarship to Washington State University student

The Potato Leadership, Education, and Advancement Foundation (Potato LEAF) has awarded a $10,000 2023-24 academic scholarship to Jacob Meeuwsen.

Meeuwsen is a Ph.D. student at Washington State University, according to a news release. The scholarship award is provided annually to a graduate student with a strong interest in research that can directly benefit the U.S. potato industry, the release said.

A native of Kennewick, Wash., Meeuwsen is focused on intelligent potato water-use efficiency, land-use management practices and reducing water loss via evaporation and runoff, the release said. He is currently working to optimize predictive evapotranspiration (ET) and suggested irrigation amounts as they relate to changes in plant spatial arrangement and population and to use both to mitigate heat and water stress.

Meeuwsen is also testing a novel irrigation method to maximize water use efficiency in potatoes, along with other aspects of irrigation. He plans to use information collected from his research to build a predictive ET and irrigation app for potatoes, with the help of the Information Technology Services and the AgWeatherNet teams at WSU, the release said. 

“Receiving the Potato LEAF scholarship is a great honor for me. It shows that the research I do means something to the potato industry," Meeuwsen said in the release. "Receiving this scholarship will help me achieve my goals by inspiring me to think of new and innovative ways to help the potato industry become more sustainable and efficient. Thank you again for the recognition and awarding me this scholarship."

“Potato LEAF is dedicated to securing the long-term health of the U.S. potato industry by investing in the leaders of tomorrow, Jacob is the next bright piece of our future,” foundation Chair Gregg Halverson said in the release. “We are excited to aid Jacob as he furthers his education and continues his research that will advance the industry to a better, more sustainable future.”

Prior to attending WSU, Meeuwsen received a bachelor's degree in crop science from the University of Idaho in May 2022, the release said.

He previously worked for ProGene Plant Research as a pulse breeder intern and greenhouse manager from 2020 to 2022 during the academic year. During the summers he worked for Syngenta Crop Protection, in Hermiston Ore., as a general assistant conducting experimental pesticide field trials. Meeuwsen began his Ph.D. research at WSU in May 2022 under the direction of Mark J. Pavek, a professor and state potato extension specialist in Pullman, Wash., the release said.

Meeuwsen is a member of the Potato Association of America, secretary of the Tri-State Potato Research and Breeding Program, where he will transition to the committee chair in 2025, and he is currently assisting Pavek and the WSU Potato Research Group with public outreach and variety development. 

“Jacob has assisted with many WSU research and extension activities. He is an intelligent team player with great work ethic, routinely exceeding my expectations. After he graduates, he is interested in continuing his career within PNW agriculture, focusing on potato production,” Pavek said in his letter of recommendation. 

“If successful, my research will aid potato growers on a daily basis and during extreme heat and water stress events by optimizing the plant water use efficiency, maximizing production and economic return,” Meeuwsen said in his application. “By improving irrigation and water-use efficiency, benefits will expand beyond the field and into American homes, preserving our water and livelihood.”