Two Animal Sciences students received awards at the 2019 Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANRRS) National Conference. Jenna Parker, first-year student from Piqua, OH, won 2nd place in the Undergraduate Oral Research Div II, with her topic, Not Everything with Wings was Meant to Fly: How Sanitary Products can Impact Women's Health. Amber Cleggett, first-year student with a minor in history from Cleveland, was awarded a John Deere scholarship for excelling in academics, extra-curricular activities, MANRRS and community involvement.
Parker’s research project focused on the use of biodegradable feminine products and their impact on the environment and women’s health in Guatemala. After earning her B.S. in Animal Sciences, she hopes to attend veterinary school or earn a master’s degree. According to Parker, “After attending this conference, I have decided that I want to work in government, specifically the APHIS portion of the USDA because I want animals and people to be happy and healthy.”
Cleggett hopes to remain at Ohio State and attend veterinary school or earn a M.S. in Veterinary Public Health after earning her bachelor’s degree. “I chose Ohio State because it is not too far away from home, but far enough that I get to become more reliant on myself,” said Cleggett. “Ohio State also has any and everything that you could dream studying or be a part of, and having the wide variety of opportunities was very important to me.” 
MANRRS was formed at Michigan State University in the early 1980s to promote academic and professional advancement by empowering minorities in agriculture, natural resources, and related sciences. The Ohio State chapter of MANRRS was formed in 1985 to increase the number of multicultural students studying sciences in the food system, agricultural, and environmental areas and to encourage scholarly achievement, leadership, advancement, and excellence in students.
The MANRRS National Conference was held April 3-6, 2019 in Overland Park, KS. You can learn more about the Ohio State chapter of MANRRS here.