By Maureen Manier
From his early days as an undergraduate, Purdue Agricultural Economics Professor Jacob Ricker-Gilbert was driven by a single question: Why is there inequality in the world? Responding to that question took him from the University of Vermont and his first international experience in Honduras to Virginia Tech where he conducted research in Bangladesh. And, after a few years working at USDA, he went to Michigan State University to complete his doctorate. There he joined many of his colleagues in researching and addressing economic inequity in Africa— a focus he has continued since arriving at Purdue in 2011.
Ricker-Gilbert’s research and extension program has gained him international recognition. He has also been honored by Purdue as a university faculty scholar in 2020 and won the Lowell S. Hardin Award for Excellence in International Agriculture in 2024. This year Ricker-Gilbert will be presented with the College of Agriculture’s Research Award, acknowledging the impact and reputation of his work.
Source : purdue.edu