{"id":82277,"date":"2026-05-13T14:33:04","date_gmt":"2026-05-13T18:33:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/?p=82277"},"modified":"2026-05-13T14:33:07","modified_gmt":"2026-05-13T18:33:07","slug":"our-three-winners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/news\/our-three-winners\/","title":{"rendered":"Our Three Winners"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n<p>The N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative began with grand ambitions \u2014 to become a world-class interdisciplinary plant sciences hub for addressing some of the world\u2019s biggest challenges. Three staff members have been recognized this spring for their above-and-beyond work to make that lofty goal a reality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Research Operations Manager Jie Pacelli and Education and Extension Outreach Program Manager Sarah Dinger were honored at the April 22 NC&#160;State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Celebration of Excellence, while Project Launch Director Lauren Maynard received word that she\u2019d won the Pride of the Wolfpack Award.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-ncst-pullquote has-indigo-400-text-color has-quotes\"><div class=\"pullquote-container\"><p class=\"pullquote-content\">Jie, Sarah and Lauren are all true champions for interdisciplinary plant sciences research and education, and their work is helping make the world a better place.<\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cJie, Sarah and Lauren are all true champions for interdisciplinary plant sciences research and education, and their work is helping make the world a better place,\u201d said N.C. PSI Executive Director Adrian Percy. \u201cEach of them is driving our success through their innovative, people-centered approaches,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cTheir work has played a valuable role in making it possible for researchers, educators, students and our industry and government partners to achieve the greatest impact possible,\u201d he added. \u201cI\u2019m proud of what they\u2019ve accomplished and feel privileged to work alongside them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Read on to learn more about our three winners and how they are helping transform agricultural research and education in North Carolina and beyond.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"ncst-labeled-section wp-block-ncst-newswire-feed ncst-featured-content is-card-style layout-three-column\">\n  <div class=\"ncst-labeled-section__background\">\n    <div class=\"ncst-labeled-section__container\">\n               <div class=\"ncst-labeled-section__header\">\n                      <h2 class=\"ncst-labeled-section__heading\">MEET OUR AWARD-WINNING STAFF<\/h2>\n                            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"ncst-labeled-section__content\">\n        <a\n    class=\"ncst-content-card \"\n    href=\"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/news\/pacelli-honored-for-leading-n-c-psi-efforts-to-ensure-world-class-research-uses-resources-wisely\/\"\n    data-ua-cat=\"Content Card\"\n    data-ua-action=\"Content Card Click\"\n    data-ua-label=https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/news\/pacelli-honored-for-leading-n-c-psi-efforts-to-ensure-world-class-research-uses-resources-wisely\/\n  >\n  \n\n          <div class=\"content-card__image-container\">\n        <div class=\"content-card__image-background\">\n          <img decoding=\"async\" \n            class=\"content-card__image wp-image-newswire-23830\" \n            alt=\"woman holds a certificate in front of a wall with the NC&#160;State University logo\" \n            src=\"https:\/\/newswire.ncsu.edu\/api\/attachments\/23830\" \n            style=\"aspect-ratio: 16\/9; object-fit: cover; \"\n          \/>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"content-card__text-container\">\n      \n                          <h3 class=\"content-card__headline\">Pacelli Honored for Efforts To Ensure Wise Resource Use for World-Class Research<\/h3>\n              \n\n      \t      \t        <p class=\"content-card__teaser\"><p>For helping ensure wise stewardship in the NC&#160;State&#8217;s Plant Sciences Building, Jie Pacelli earned the 2026 CALS Value Award. She is the N.C. PSI&#8217;s research operations <span class=nowrap>manager.&nbsp;<span class=\"arrow-indicator\"><svg class=\"wolficon wolficon-arrow-right-light\" role=\"img\"  aria-hidden=\"true\">\n            \n            <use xlink:href=\"#wolficon-arrow-right-light\">\n        <\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/p><\/p>\n\t      \t    \n          <\/div>\n\n  <\/a>\n<a\n    class=\"ncst-content-card \"\n    href=\"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/news\/dinger-creates-spirited-communities-for-ag-innovation-and-education\/\"\n    data-ua-cat=\"Content Card\"\n    data-ua-action=\"Content Card Click\"\n    data-ua-label=https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/news\/dinger-creates-spirited-communities-for-ag-innovation-and-education\/\n  >\n  \n\n          <div class=\"content-card__image-container\">\n        <div class=\"content-card__image-background\">\n          <img decoding=\"async\" \n            class=\"content-card__image wp-image-newswire-23825\" \n            alt=\"Sarah Dinger and others\" \n            src=\"https:\/\/newswire.ncsu.edu\/api\/attachments\/23825\" \n            style=\"aspect-ratio: 16\/9; object-fit: cover; \"\n          \/>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"content-card__text-container\">\n      \n                          <h3 class=\"content-card__headline\">Dinger Creates Spirited Communities for Ag Innovation and Education<\/h3>\n              \n\n      \t      \t        <p class=\"content-card__teaser\"><p>Sarah Dinger&#8217;s infectious positivity invites connections among students, Extension agents and researchers, making a difference for them and for <span class=nowrap>agriculture.&nbsp;<span class=\"arrow-indicator\"><svg class=\"wolficon wolficon-arrow-right-light\" role=\"img\"  aria-hidden=\"true\">\n            \n            <use xlink:href=\"#wolficon-arrow-right-light\">\n        <\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/p><\/p>\n\t      \t    \n          <\/div>\n\n  <\/a>\n<a\n    class=\"ncst-content-card \"\n    href=\"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/news\/maynard-wins-pride-of-the-wolfpack-award\/\"\n    data-ua-cat=\"Content Card\"\n    data-ua-action=\"Content Card Click\"\n    data-ua-label=https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/news\/maynard-wins-pride-of-the-wolfpack-award\/\n  >\n  \n\n          <div class=\"content-card__image-container\">\n        <div class=\"content-card__image-background\">\n          <img decoding=\"async\" \n            class=\"content-card__image wp-image-newswire-23823\" \n            alt=\"Lauren Maynard\" \n            src=\"https:\/\/newswire.ncsu.edu\/api\/attachments\/23823\" \n            style=\"aspect-ratio: 16\/9; object-fit: cover; \"\n          \/>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"content-card__text-container\">\n      \n                          <h3 class=\"content-card__headline\">Maynard Wins Pride of the Wolfpack Award<\/h3>\n              \n\n      \t      \t        <p class=\"content-card__teaser\"><p>Recent Pride of the Wolfpack Award winner Lauren Maynard positions interdisciplinary teams for success in tackling a range of challenges affecting agriculture and other <span class=nowrap>sectors.&nbsp;<span class=\"arrow-indicator\"><svg class=\"wolficon wolficon-arrow-right-light\" role=\"img\"  aria-hidden=\"true\">\n            \n            <use xlink:href=\"#wolficon-arrow-right-light\">\n        <\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/p><\/p>\n\t      \t    \n          <\/div>\n\n  <\/a>\n\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false,"raw":"<!-- wp:ncst\/dynamic-header {\"block\":\"ncst\/default-post-header\"} -->\n<!-- wp:ncst\/default-post-header {\"caption\":\"From left to right: Sarah Dinger, Jie Pacelli and Lauren Maynard\",\"displayCategoryID\":118,\"subtitle\":\"\\u003cem\\u003eN.C. PSI staff members score awards for their work on behalf of team agriculture, with Sarah Dinger and Jie Pacelli honored by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Lauren Maynard by NC State Research and Innovation.\\u003c\/em\\u003e\"} \/-->\n<!-- \/wp:ncst\/dynamic-header -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative began with grand ambitions \u2014 to become a world-class interdisciplinary plant sciences hub for addressing some of the world\u2019s biggest challenges. Three staff members have been recognized this spring for their above-and-beyond work to make that lofty goal a reality.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Research Operations Manager Jie Pacelli and Education and Extension Outreach Program Manager Sarah Dinger were honored at the April 22 NC State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Celebration of Excellence, while Project Launch Director Lauren Maynard received word that she\u2019d won the Pride of the Wolfpack Award.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:ncst\/pullquote {\"value\":\"\u201cJie, Sarah and Lauren are all true champions for interdisciplinary plant sciences research and education, and their work is helping make the world a better place.\u201d\",\"textColor\":\"indigo_400\"} -->\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-ncst-pullquote has-indigo-400-text-color has-quotes\"><div class=\"pullquote-container\"><p class=\"pullquote-content\">Jie, Sarah and Lauren are all true champions for interdisciplinary plant sciences research and education, and their work is helping make the world a better place.<\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n<!-- \/wp:ncst\/pullquote -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cJie, Sarah and Lauren are all true champions for interdisciplinary plant sciences research and education, and their work is helping make the world a better place,\u201d said N.C. PSI Executive Director Adrian Percy. \u201cEach of them is driving our success through their innovative, people-centered approaches,<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cTheir work has played a valuable role in making it possible for researchers, educators, students and our industry and government partners to achieve the greatest impact possible,\u201d he added. \u201cI\u2019m proud of what they\u2019ve accomplished and feel privileged to work alongside them.\u201d<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><em>Read on to learn more about our three winners and how they are helping transform agricultural research and education in North Carolina and beyond.<\/em><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:ncst\/newswire-feed {\"heading\":\"MEET OUR AWARD-WINNING STAFF\",\"useImages\":true,\"category\":\"718\"} \/-->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->"},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>N.C. PSI staff members score awards for their work on behalf of team agriculture, with Sarah Dinger and Jie Pacelli honored by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Lauren Maynard by NC State Research and Innovation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":22,"featured_media":82280,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"source":"","ncst_custom_author":"","ncst_show_custom_author":false,"ncst_dynamicHeaderBlockName":"ncst\/default-post-header","ncst_dynamicHeaderData":"{\"caption\":\"From left to right: Sarah Dinger, Jie Pacelli and Lauren Maynard\",\"displayCategoryID\":118,\"showAuthor\":true,\"showDate\":true,\"showFeaturedVideo\":false,\"subtitle\":\"<em>N.C. PSI staff members score awards for their work on behalf of team agriculture, with Sarah Dinger and Jie Pacelli honored by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Lauren Maynard by NC State Research and Innovation.<\/em>\"}","ncst_content_audit_freq":"","ncst_content_audit_date":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[118,116,117,107,110,177,109,114,1],"tags":[],"_ncst_magazine_issue":[],"class_list":["post-82277","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-education","category-extension","category-gifts-and-awards","category-leadership","category-nc-psi","category-newswire","category-plant-sciences-building","category-research","category-uncategorized"],"displayCategory":{"term_id":118,"name":"Education","slug":"education","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":118,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":75,"filter":"raw"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/82277","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/22"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=82277"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/82277\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":82342,"href":"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/82277\/revisions\/82342"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/82280"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=82277"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=82277"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=82277"},{"taxonomy":"_ncst_magazine_issue","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/psi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/_ncst_magazine_issue?post=82277"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}