May “Noe Noe” Lwin is pictured here in orange with the staff of one of her farms.
May “Noe Noe” Lwin, a Ph.D. student in the Auburn University School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences and a native of Myanmar in Southeast Asia, was recently awarded the Schlumberger Foundation’s 2015-16 Faculty for the Future Fellowship. Now in its 10th year, the program recognizes top female graduate students from developing countries who are studying at U.S. universities for careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, also known as the STEM fields.
Lwin began her doctoral work at Auburn in 2014 under the direction of associate professor Bill Daniels and alumni professor D. Allen Davis and is focusing on the development of a practical diet for farmed mangrove crabs, a significant food source in much of the world. In addition to her Ph.D. work, Lwin has continued to manage operations of her three commercial crab farms and run a seafood trading company, all of which are based in Thailand.
The Faculty for the Future Fellowship was established in 2004 with a long-term goal of “addressing the gender gap in STEM disciplines by selecting the most talented female scientists, providing them with a unique opportunity to develop their skills and exposing them to vital international experience and networking, thereby training them to become future leaders, change agents and policy makers back in their home regions where they are ultimately expected to return,” according to the Schlumberger Foundation.
This year’s 155 fellows represent 46 developing countries and are studying at 38 U.S. universities. In keeping with the intent of the award, Lwin plans to return to her home country after completing her doctorate.
In his nomination of Lwin for the award, Daniels described her as hard-working, determined and a valuable resource to her country.
“Since her arrival at Auburn, I continue to be amazed by Noe Noe’s enthusiasm and dedication to her goal of obtaining her Ph.D. and returning to Myanmar to lead development of the aquaculture and fisheries industries,” Daniels said. “She truly desires to move her country forward and be a mentor to others, particularly the women of Myanmar.”
For more information, contact Daniels at 334-844-9123 or daniewh@auburn.edu.
