Magan Lewis and Greg Lardy, NDSU vice president for Agricultural Affairs presented her with the 2022 NDSU College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources Distinguished Alumni Award on March 17. (NDSU photo.)

FARGO, N.D. (NDSU Extension) – The North Dakota State University (NDSU) College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources (CAFSNR) honored Magan Lewis with the 2022 CAFSNR Distinguished Alumni Award at a ceremony on Friday, March 17, on NDSU’s campus.

Lewis, a North Dakota native, received her doctoral degree in plant breeding and genetics from the NDSU Department of Plant Sciences.

“I am honored, humbled and grateful to receive the 2022 Distinguished Alumni Award,” says Lewis. “I am grateful for the amazing scientists and leaders at NDSU that inspire me to continually grow as a scientist, leader and community champion.”

Currently, Lewis serves as the Bayer Crop Science Equipment and Automated Field Sensing Lead. In her role, she oversees the development, validation, global deployment and logistics optimization of high-impact digital tools and sensors.

“Dr. Lewis’ contribution to global agriculture science and technology, and her passion for giving back to her community through her roles in agricultural organizations, make her a wonderful example of a distinguished alumni,” says David Buchanan, CAFSNR associate dean for academic programs. “We are proud to bestow this award on her.”

Lewis is an award-winning scientific leader and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) advocate. She has received multiple achievements, including being named an American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) IF/THEN Ambassador, Des Moines Business Record’s Forty under 40, Seed World’s 2022 Future Leader of the Seed Industry and was recently appointed by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds to serve on the South-Central Regional STEM Advisory Board.

Lewis also is a STEM education outreach fanatic, inclusion, diversity and equity advocate, serves as a board member for the Science Center of Iowa, and is a co-leader of her local 4-H Clover Kids Chapter. She resides in Des Moines, Iowa, with her husband and two daughters.