International Studies & Programs

International food and economics scholar uses research to inform public and policy makers

David Ortega is this year’s winner of the John K. Hudzik Emerging Leader in Advancing International Studies and Programs award

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Published: Monday, 08 Jun 2020 Author: Danielle Fowler

This spotlight is part of a series celebrating the 2020 international award recipients. Learn more about all of this year’s awardees on our International Awards page.

David Ortega’s commitment to influencing policy, educating the public through his research, and student mentorship has made him a rising leader in the Department of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics (AFRE) at MSU.

Portrait photo of David Ortega.David Ortega is this year’s winner of the John K. Hudzik Emerging Leader in Advancing International Studies and Programs award, which recognizes a faculty member who is making a significant impact early in their career on the advancement of international scholarship, teaching, and/or public service and outreach.

Ortega is an associate professor in the Department of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics (AFRE) and an adjunct professor at Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, China conducting research and teaching research workshops during the summer. His current work has focused on the economics of food quality, including policy changes in the Chinese meat and dairy sector, but his international research also stretches to the coffee sector of Rwanda, drought risk in Bangladesh, and nutritious foods in Kenya.

A key aspect of Ortega’s work is his desire to share knowledge with a wider audience. “He is passionate about communicating science and informing policy,” says Mark Skidmore, professor and Morris Chair in State and Local Government Finance and Policy, director of the North Central Regional Center for Rural Development. Skidmore nominated Ortega for the award.

In 2018, Ortega was invited to provide expert testimony for a congressional hearing focused on China’s agricultural policies, and he has made many media appearances including Forbes, NPR, and the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong.

"As scientists and researchers, we have a responsibility to communicate our findings to the public," says Ortega. “This is especially true at a land grant university like Michigan State."

Since January, Ortega has provided timely information about how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting food supplies in the US and around the world through Twitter. He has published a piece in The Conversation focused on Rwanda’s May coffee harvest, was interviewed by Newsweek about pork shortages and the affect the pandemic has had on meat producers and farmers, contributed to a piece from CNN on pandemic food pricing, and spoke with NPR about how changing eating habits during the pandemic have affected the food supply chain.

Ortega speaks with a butcher over her counter in a market.Ortega stresses the importance of this type of open communication. “As scientists and researchers, we have a responsibility to communicate our findings to the public,” says Ortega. “This is especially true at a land grant university like Michigan State. For me, it’s a two-way flow of information where I learn just as much from engaging and listening to stakeholders. It keeps my research grounded.”

Along with communicating science to the public, Ortega is committed to mentoring the next generation of researchers, especially those who are studying internationally. “Having been an international student myself, I am a strong advocate for international education and take pride in training the next generation of international scholars,” says Ortega.

“My experiences as an international scholar have been some of the most rewarding and humbling both professionally and personally,” he continues. “[The John K. Hudzik award] is a recognition of the many collaborators, students and Spartans who make this work possible. I look forward to continuing our collaborative work so that we can make a positive difference in people’s lives.”