The International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI), Peachtree Corners, Ga., has named Dr. Ismail Cakmak as the winner of the 2016 IPNI Science Award. IPNI cited his major contributions to scientific knowledge through his leadership role in alleviating the micronutrient malnutrition problem in developing countries. It noted this has led to international recognition for his efforts in zinc biofortification of cereal crops.
He directed a multi-institutional project on the issue of zinc deficiency in Turkey (1993 to 1998). Following the identification of the zinc deficiency, zinc-containing NPK fertilizer use has increased from 0 to 600,000 mt/y in Turkey.
The “HarvestZinc” international project was developed by Cakmak under the HarvestPlus Program to improve grain concentration of zinc and iodine in nine different countries (e.g., Asia, Africa, and several South American countries). The focus was on using innovative application methods and micronutrient fertilizer combinations. Cakmak and his team found that foliar zinc application is significant in improving grain zinc concentrations, which can improve zinc-related health complications that affect over two billion people.
Dr. Cakmak received his B.Sc. from Cukurova University in 1980, his M.Sc. from Cukurova University in 1981, and his Ph.D. from Hohenheim University in 1988. Since 2000, he has worked as a Professor of Plant Physiology at Sabanci University in Istanbul, Turkey.