DENTON (UNT), Texas — Flora Yan of Plano, a student at the Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science (TAMS) at the University of North Texas, was named as one of the top students in the country at the World Food Prize Global Youth Institute on October in Des Moines, Iowa.

Flora is the daughter of Brian and Catherine Yan of Plano.

The World Food Prize Global Youth Institute was held in conjunction with the Norman E. Borlaug International Symposium, one of the world’s foremost conferences on international agriculture and food policy. The program was developed to challenge and inspire participating student-teacher teams to identify ways of alleviating hunger, and to expose the students to opportunities and careers in food, agriculture and natural resource disciplines. 

In order to be considered for participation, students from across the United States and abroad researched global food security issues in the country of their choice, and then submitted papers on those critical topics, which they also presented to renowned experts and scientists.

At the three-day World Food Prize Global Youth Institute, Yan and 150 other high school students had the opportunity to interact with a diverse group of internationally renowned World Food Prize Laureates and leaders in food, agriculture and international development.

Yan presented a paper on the theme “Cultivating Innovations to Feed the World” and participated in roundtable discussions with experts in industry, science, academia and policy. Research for the paper focused on examining major issues in global agriculture, development and food security in other countries.

“I hope that more TAMS students in the future will participate in the Global Youth Institute to not only increase their own awareness but encourage them to use this as a catalyst for further action against hunger,” Yan said.

Yan attended the Institute in Iowa with Donna Fleming, associate dean and director of academic affairs for TAMS. The Institute highlighted the state of hunger many millions suffer across the globe.  “Hunger is really a perpetual, relentless enemy, stated Yan.

Created by Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Dr. Norman Borlaug and Iowa businessman John Ruan in 1994, The Global Youth Institute today receives major support from Clay Mathile and the Mathile Institute for the Advancement of Human Nutrition.

“This is the first year that a TAMS student participated in the World Food Prize Competition.  We learned about it when the granddaughter of Dr. Norman Borlaug, who was the founder of the World Food Prize and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, gave a presentation to TAMS students about Dr. Borlaug’s accomplishments, said Fleming.

At the Global Youth Institute, Yan interacted with students and teachers from 26 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, Nigeria, and Tanzania.

About Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science: Texas Academy of Math and Science is a two-year residential program at UNT that allows exceptionally talented students to complete their freshman and sophomore years of college while receiving the equivalent of high school diplomas. Students enroll in the academy following their sophomore year of high school, live in a UNT residence hall and attend UNT classes with college students. After two years, they enroll at UNT or another university to finish their bachelor’s degrees.

About The World Food Prize:  The World Food Prize was founded in 1986 by Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, recipient of the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize. Since then, The World Food Prize has honored outstanding individuals who have made vital contributions to improving the quality, quantity or availability of food throughout the world. Laureates have been recognized from Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Denmark, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Israel, Mexico, Sierra Leone, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United Nations and the United States. In 1990, Des Moines businessman and philanthropist John Ruan assumed sponsorship of The Prize and established The World Food Prize Foundation, located in Des Moines, Iowa.