An Indian American scientist who dedicated his career to sharing agricultural science with developing nations has been named the recipient of the 2026 Borlaug CAST Communication Award.
The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology announced that Dr. Karim Maredia, Associate Dean and Director of the World Agriculture Center at Michigan State University ( MSU), will be honored at the Library of Congress on Dec. 10. The award recognizes scientists who effectively communicate research to non-technical audiences, policymakers, and farmers.
“The award celebrates not only my individual efforts but also the enduring power of partnerships, collaborations, and shared vision across national and international boundaries,” he said. “It reflects our shared commitment to advancing science, technology, and innovation toward a food-secure world, while recognizing the vital role of effective communication in connecting science with society.”
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Born in a small village in Gujarat, India, Maredia grew up as the son of a local dairy farmer. His early roots in rural India shaped his belief that scientific knowledge must serve broader society.
He earned his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth in India before moving to the United States for graduate studies. He completed a Master of Science in Integrated Pest Management at Alabama A&M University and earned his Ph.D. in Plant Breeding and Integrated Pest Management from the University of Arkansas.
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Following his doctoral work, Maredia served from 1986 to 1989 as a postdoctoral fellow and research scientist at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center in Mexico, the research institute where Dr. Norman Borlaug conducted his Green Revolution wheat breeding.
Joining MSU in 1989, Maredia established the World Knowledge and Technology Access Program. Over more than three decades at MSU, he has trained over 15,000 professionals from 80 countries, hosted 250 visiting scholars, authored or edited 130 publications, and secured more than $55 million in competitive grants.
Maredia also maintains direct engagement with Indian agricultural governance, currently serving as Foreign Secretary of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences of India. He cited international collaboration and shared partnerships as central to his career achievement.