Contact: Robbie Ward
STARKVILLE, Miss.--A Mississippi State biological engineering major is a top winner in a national essay competition sponsored by the Institute of Biological Engineering.
Sophomore Thomas D. Ware of Brandon placed third in the 2007 Bioethics Contest developed by the professional organization to encourage inquiry and interest in biological engineering.
Ware's essay, titled "Transgenic Crops: Human and Ecological Health in the Balance," was among 83 submitted from universities throughout the country. Students from Cornell and Ohio State universities earned first- and second-place honors, respectively.
As part of the recognition ceremony, Ware and other authors of the top five essays were required to formally present their works and answer questions about their research--another part of the organization's goal to expose the students to practicing professionals in the academic field.
A member of MSU's Shackouls Honors College, Ware said his idea for the essay originated while thinking about organic and natural foods sold in grocery stores. He was considering whether the organic and natural foods he bought were worth the extra cost.
"I bought it before and wondered if I spent my money wisely," he added.
Ware's essay will be among those featured in a future edition of the IBE's newsletter.
NEWS EDITORS/DIRECTORS: Ware is the son of Susan Ware and Larry Ware. For more information, you can reach him at 601-201-8756 or tdw89@msstate.edu.
For more information about Mississippi State University, see http://www.msstate.edu/.