The United Nations estimates that more than 870 million people in the world today are undernourished; people who are not getting enough food or not getting the right nutrients in the food they eat. This takes an incredible toll physically, mentally and economically. Children who go hungry do not grow properly, they have trouble fighting off diseases and they don’t do as well in school. In addition, food insecurity negatively affects the health and productivity of working adults. Providing safe and nutritious food is a struggle in many emerging regions.   

The good news is that, in labs and fields across the world, talented and motivated researchers are working on ways to address local food challenges. At Seeding Labs, we focus on making sure these researchers have the tools and the training to accomplish their goals. We do this by working with external organizations and companies like Thermo Fisher Scientific, who support our efforts in a variety of ways including:

•    Donation of surplus equipment. New scientific equipment is out of reach of the budgets of many researchers and their universities. Students wash and reuse test tubes, petri dishes and even latex gloves. We’ve created a worldwide distribution system that transfers needed equipment and supplies to researchers and their students.

•    Training and professional opportunities. Access to continuing education and strong mentorship can be difficult for scientists in the developing world. We provide training in key professional skills as well as opportunities for scientists to showcase their work.

•    Connections with colleagues. We know the importance of collaborations and the exchange of ideas between scientists of different expertise. We connect colleagues globally to share their experiences and spark new collaborations.

I invite you to learn more about Seeding Labs and our support for scientific research in food and a range of other areas by signing up for our monthly newsletter or by checking out our blog. In addition, Seeding Labs always welcomes new donors, partners and experts who are willing to share their scientific expertise and resources.

Please visit www.thermoscientific.com/foodsafetyinsider for more details.  


Dr. Nina Dudnik has always tried to combine science and global development. After working in labs on three continents, she realized that sharing existing resources could help the global community of scientists put their skills to work. Dr. Dudnik obtained her Ph.D. in molecular biology from Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and a B.Sc. in biochemistry from Brown University.