Lincoln, Neb. —The American Society of Agronomy is awarding its highest honor to Martha Mamo, head of the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture at the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, naming her a 2022 ASA fellow.
The designation as an ASA fellow “is the highest recognition bestowed by the American Society of Agronomy,” the organization said in announcing the news. For the award, the society’s members “nominate worthy colleagues based on their professional achievement and meritorious service.” Each year, “only a select few are bestowed with the fellow designation.”
The ASA will induct Mamo, the John E. Weaver professor of agronomy and horticulture at IANR, into its 2022 Awards Hall of Fame during the organization’s annual meeting in November.
Mamo’s areas of academic focus are soil chemistry/biochemistry; mob grazing research; and international agriculture. She has written extensively on science pedagogy and student learning outcomes. The University of Nebraska in 2015 honored Mamo with NU’s Outstanding Teaching and Instructional Creativity Award. The systemwide award recognizes a faculty member who has demonstrated a meritorious and sustained record of excellence and creativity in teaching.
Mamo’s research efforts integrate soil processes, water conservation and food security. She is part of an interdisciplinary research team evaluating grazing management strategies on nutrient cycling in low-input semi-arid grassland. She has been an active research and education collaborator to address soil and water management of resource-poor, small-scale farmers in East Africa.
Mamo participates as a fellow in research for NU’s Robert B. Daugherty Global Water for Food as well as for the African Scientific Institute, a California-based nonprofit nurturing young people’s interest in science and technology careers.
NU this summer named Mamo as one of 16 university colleagues to participate in a new systemwide program to develop the next generation of higher education leaders. The program will feature an intensive two-year curriculum to help participants develop their leadership skills, expand their networks, and explore key issues and challenges facing NU and higher education.
Mamo earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry and master’s degree in soil science from Alabama A&M University. She holds a doctorate degree in soil science from the University of Minnesota–St. Paul.
In announcing its recognition of Mamo as a 2022 fellow, the ASA stated, “This designation recognizes your contributions and achievements, and ASA is proud to include you in our 2022 Awards Hall of Fame.”