AFE Awards 2018 Ecke Scholarship

The American Floral Endowment (AFE) has awarded the 2018 Paul Ecke, Jr. Scholarship to Melissa Munoz, a Master of Science student at Clemson University.

Munoz will receive a $10,000 scholarship ($5,000 for two consecutive years).

She will be continuing for her Ph.D. upon completion of her Masters degree.

Melissa graduated from the Universidad Nacional de Colombia sede Medellin in 2016 and is currently enrolled in the master’s program at Clemson.

Her research project focuses on the management of Botrytis in cut roses, a huge problem facing growers that costs the industry hundreds of thousands of dollars annually.  She works directly with cut rose growers, visiting farms and evaluating incidence from commercial shipments to effects of cultural practices in the greenhouse.

“I am so delighted and grateful to receive this prestigious scholarship.  Having the industry’s interest and support is fundamental and the Paul Ecke Scholarship will help progress my research,” said Melissa. “I am very excited to continue this research that I hope will make a difference and improve the conditions for the floral industry.”

AFE is funding a Botrytis research project that is the focus of Melissa’s research program. She is working with Jim Faust and Guido Schnabel on this project. Munoz presented her preliminary research findings on behalf of the Endowment during the Proflora 2017 event in Colombia.  “She is doing really good research that will benefit the industry worldwide”, says Terril A. Nell, AFE’s Research Coordinator.

The Paul Ecke, Jr. Scholarship was established in 2010 and honors the late Paul Ecke, Jr., who made significant contributions to the floriculture industry and believed strongly in research and education. He recognized that creative scientists and educators are required to lead the floral industry in the 21st century and beyond.

This merit-based, prestigious scholarship has been funded by industry contributions and the Ecke family to assist in funding the education of floriculture graduate students at land-grant institutions, who will become leading floricultural scientists and educators.

The 2017 Paul Ecke, Jr. recipient, Kaylee South, The Ohio State University will receive her second year of funding for this two-year scholarship.