NMPF Awards Dairy Leadership Scholarships 2026

Graduate students recognized for impactful dairy research projects

• Bonnie Johnson
• June 12, 2026
• Media Article

NMPF selected five students for dairy scholarships recognizing research in science and production. Their work supports farmers, improves dairy systems, and helps build strong future leaders in agriculture.

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The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) has selected five graduate students to receive scholarships through its 2026 National Dairy Leadership Scholarship Program. The awards recognize students whose research supports dairy cooperatives and farmers. 

 

The selected recipients are working on projects that address important challenges in the dairy industry. Their studies focus on improving animal health, farm sustainability, product quality, and food safety. These efforts are expected to support dairy producers and strengthen the agricultural sector. 
 

• Pari Baker, a doctoral student at Case Western Reserve University, is studying how certain cells respond to highly pathogenic avian influenza. Her research aims to understand disease risks in dairy animals. 
   
• Haowen Hu from Cornell University is focusing on improving environmental modeling on dairy farms. His work helps farmers better manage resources and reduce environmental impacts. 
   
• Gabriela Alejandra Macay Hernandez at the University of Florida is researching reproductive processes in dairy animals. Her study looks at how biological factors influence embryo development and future animal performance.
   
• Vaishali Poswal of South Dakota State University is exploring how harmful bacteria persist in dairy environments. She is also working on developing improved sanitation methods to control contamination. 
   
• Jayden Scott, a master’s student at Washington State University, is studying cheese production. His research examines how microbial activity affects flavor and quality in dairy products. 
   

“Congratulations to each recipient of this year’s NMPF scholarships,” said NMPF President & CEO Gregg Doud. “The dairy industry continues to reinvest in its future, securing academic research and development that is critical to advancing dairy’s mission. We are proud to support these dairy leaders in their educational pursuits.” 
 

The scholarship recipients were officially confirmed during the NMPF Board of Directors meeting held in Arlington, Virginia, on June 9. The program reflects the organization’s commitment to supporting future leaders and encouraging scientific progress in agriculture. 
 

Through these scholarships, NMPF continues to promote careers in agriculture, strengthen the dairy sector, and encourage research that benefits farmers and consumers alike. 
 

Photo by: national-milk-producers-federation