Ramaswamy to Talk Food Security, Public Health at Bush Library and Museum Issues Forum

COLLEGE STATION, Texas, Jan. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The George Bush Presidential Library and Museum presents the free Issues Forum "Role of Land-grant Universities in Addressing Food as a Public Health Issue" Jan. 8, 7 p.m. CST at the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum at Texas A&M University.

Dr. Sonny Ramaswamy , director of the USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), will focus on how societal challenges such as food security have become a public health issue, and the roles land-grant universities have to play in addressing the same. These include not only the discoveries needed in breeding and genetics, but also food safety and nutrition, along with the development of effective educational programs to mitigate issues related to metabolic disorders, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancers, stroke and dementia, along with hunger.

As part of USDA's Research, Education, and Extension mission, Ramaswamy oversees NIFA awards funds for a wide range of extramural research, education, and extension projects that address the needs of farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers.

Previously, Ramaswamy served as dean of Oregon State University's College of Agriculture Sciences, director of the Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station, associate dean of the Purdue University College of Agriculture and head of Kansas State University's Department of Entomology, where he held the title of Distinguished Professor and was named the Presidential Outstanding Department Head. He also served on the faculty of Mississippi State University and as a research associate at Michigan State University.

A free reception will follow the event. Through a generous sponsorship from AT&T the event is offered free of charge, but reservations are strongly recommended. Register online at bush41library.eventbrite.com, or for more information call (979) 691-4014 or email reservations.bush@nara.gov.

The Issues Forum will also be streamed live on KBTX.com.

The Issues Forum is presented in conjunction with the new exhibit "Genome: The Secret of How Life Works" on display now at the Bush Library and Museum. Designed for all ages, the exhibit explores the nature and impact of advances in genome research through visually-rich environments, interactives, artifacts and multi-media presentations. 

The George Bush Presidential Library and Museum at Texas A&M University is part of the National Archives and Records Administration's Presidential Libraries network. For more information go to bushlibrary.tamu.edu.

SOURCE George Bush Presidential Library and Museum