10/25/00

Contacts:
Joel Coats, Entomology, (515) 294-7400
Brian Meyer, Communications Service, (515) 294-0706

ISU STUDENT WINS INTERNATIONAL PRIZE FOR YOUNG RESEARCHERS

AMES, Iowa -- An Iowa State University sophomore has won a grand prize in an international scientific research competition in Hanover, Germany.

Carol Fassbinder, a zoology student at ISU, won one of five grand prizes in the Worldwide Young Researchers for the Environment contest. Winners were announced this week.

Fassbinder, a native of Elgin, Iowa, won for her research on developing natural products to control a parasitic mite that attacks honeybees. She studied substances found in plant oils that are toxic to the mites but harmless to the bees.

"Carol's primary motivation is to help the world's beekeepers protect their bees from the devastating effects of the parasitic varrao mite," said Joel Coats, chair of ISU's entomology department and a research collaborator with Fassbinder. "She has specifically concentrated on safe, effective natural products for mite control."

Fassbinder was one of 143 students from 73 nations to compete in the event. All were between 13 and 20 years of age. Fassbinder and a student from Louisiana were the only Americans selected to compete. The two Americans and finalists from Canada, Finland and New Zealand were named the top scientists. The grand-prize winners received 2,000 euros (about $1,675)

Fassbinder has presented her research results in several national and international science fairs, including ones in Washington D.C., London and Japan. Her interest in honey bees comes naturally. Her family owns and operates Fassbinder Apiaries in Elgin. Her father, Robert, has been a professional beekeeper for 25 years.

Fassbinder doesn't spend all her time in the lab. In addition to classes, she also has been active in the Agriculture Council, Entomology Club, President's Leadership Class and the ISU Honors Program.

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Editor's note: Carol Fassbinder will be back in Ames on Oct. 30. She can be contacted at (515) 572-3920. For a downloadable photo of Fassbinder, and more information on the Worldwide Young Researchers for the Environment contest, check the Web: http://www.wyre.org/

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