Caputo, Rouached honored with 2025 CANR Established Mid-Career Researcher Awards
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EmailThe CANR is proud to announce Vincenzina Caputo, Ph.D., and Hatem Rouached, Ph.D., as the recipients of the 2025 CANR Established Mid-Career Researcher Awards
The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) at Michigan State University (MSU) is proud to announce Vincenzina Caputo, Ph.D., and Hatem Rouached, Ph.D., as the recipients of the 2025 CANR Established Mid-Career Researcher Awards.
The CANR Excellence in Research Award program recognizes the outstanding contributions of CANR researchers to the research mission of Michigan State University (MSU). In particular, the awards focus on the impact that their achievements have had on academic and/or external stakeholder communities. The Established (Mid-Career) Researcher Award recognizes individuals with 5 to 15 years of service and research experience at MSU/CANR.
Vincenzina Caputo, Ph.D., is a professor and the Homer Nowlin Endowed Chair in Consumer and Food Economics in the Department of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics. Her research explores consumer decision-making and its implications for food systems and policy. Caputo is known for developing pioneering methodologies, including the Basket-Based Choice Experiment (BBCE) and the Reference Price Uncertainty Model, which researchers have widely adopted worldwide. She established the Food Choice Research Lab, fostering global collaboration and advancing gender equity in the field. With more than 60 peer-reviewed journal articles and contributions to leading academic publications, Caputo has built a distinguished scholarly record. Her research has attracted substantial funding from the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Her work informs policymakers, industry leaders, and the public, establishing her as a global authority in agricultural and food economics.
Hatem Rouached, Ph.D., is an assistant professor in the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, recognized for his impactful contributions to the field of plant mineral nutrition. His research focuses on understanding how plants acquire and use nutrient resources, with a particular emphasis on phosphorus and its interactions with other ions. Rouached’s work advances scientific understanding and aims to deliver tangible benefits to agricultural sustainability and environmental health — positioning MSU as a leader in this domain. Since joining MSU in 2020, Rouached has authored 31 peer-reviewed articles and secured major federal research funding, including a notable award from the National Science Foundation. Internationally respected, he is frequently invited to speak at conferences and serves on multiple editorial boards. In addition to his research, Rouached is deeply committed to education and mentorship, actively engaging in teaching, organizing workshops and mentoring students and postdoctoral researchers.
