🌿 Faculty Spotlight & Research Talk: Dr. Kalpalatha (Latha) Melmaiee 🌿
September 10, 2025
We had the pleasure of welcoming Dr. Kalpalatha (Latha) Melmaiee, Ph.D., Associate Professor in the Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources at Delaware State University, for an enlightening and enjoyable presentation on her groundbreaking work in plant breeding and crop resilience at our Wednesday dinner meeting.
The evening began with a warm introduction by our own club member, Dr. Marikis Alvarez, Associate Dean for Land Grant, at DSU, who highlighted Dr. Melmaiee’s extensive contributions to agriculture and student mentorship.
During her talk, Dr. Melmaiee captivated the audience with stories from her 35+ years of research, blending science with real-world impact:
🍓 Strawberries – Overcoming fungal diseases like gray mold and anthracnose through smarter management and breeding strategies. 🫐 Blueberries – Confronting the challenges of heat stress by testing diverse germplasm and applying biotech tools to identify genes for tolerance. 🌍 International Collaborations – Partnering in Senegal, Bangladesh, and India to strengthen drought tolerance in sorghum, improve rice breeding, and support women-led agricultural cooperatives.
✨ She also shared her achievements, including: Fulbright Specialist Award (2022) and ICAR Visiting Professor Award (2023). Faculty Excellence in Research & Teaching at DSU. Mentoring 200+ undergraduate students across the U.S. in hands-on research
🎯 Action items moving forward: • Explore blueberry germplasm for heat tolerance • Apply biotechnological tools for marker-assisted breeding • Expand global training for resilient crops and farmer empowerment
It was an inspiring evening filled with science, stories, and the promise of a more resilient agricultural future. 🌱👏
On September 3, the Camden-Wyoming Rotary Club had the pleasure of hosting an engaging meeting with Past District Governor and Rotary District Foundation Chair, Bill Ferguson. Bill shared insightful updates about our Rotary Foundation and provided details about the eagerly awaited annual Foundation Dinner, scheduled for November 7th at the prestigious Wild Quail venue. Adding to the excitement of our gathering, immediate Past President Ron Kahn emerged as the winner of the 50/50 draw.
On August 28, our members put "Service Above Self" into action at our weekly meeting! The Camden-Wyoming Rotary Club gathered to pack gift bags for recipients of Meals on Wheels.
Donations to the gift bags came from to club members, Bayhealth, Delaware Dept of Labor, Delaware Division of Public Health, and PACE Your Life. Thanks to everyone who contributed.
For over 30 years, our club has been proud to partner with Meals on Wheels, with members volunteering to deliver warm meals one week a month. It’s a tradition of service that helps ensure our neighbors can get the nourishment they need to stay safe and healthy at home.
Camden-Wyoming Rotary Club’s Generous Donation Supporting Community Needs in Support of Governor Dale Kern’s Initiative to Feed the Hungry
The Camden-Wyoming Rotary Club recently demonstrated its commitment to service by delivering 16 crockpots to the Calvary Assembly of God Church in Dover. Club President Anne, accompanied by Past President Ron, was warmly welcomed by Margaret Young at the Calvary Church, who graciously led them on a tour of the church and its school facilities.
During the visit, Margaret shared the profound challenges faced by many in their local community, emphasizing the urgent need for food, clothing, and other basic necessities. She expressed heartfelt gratitude for the Rotary Club’s thoughtful contribution, noting the positive impact such acts of generosity have on those in need.
The event concluded with Margaret offering a prayer of thanks, underscoring the deep appreciation felt by the church and its members for the support provided by the Camden-Wyoming Rotary Club.
Thanks go out to all our members! Because of your dedication and hard work, the Camden-Wyoming Rotary Club has been honored with a Rotary International Club Excellence Award!
This award is a reflection of the incredible projects we've completed and the positive, welcoming atmosphere we've built together. It's a true testament to our shared commitment to Service Above Self.
Thank you for everything you do to make our club so special. Here's to another year of doing good in the world!
On August 20, Cynthia Harrington, an intake coordinator at PACE Your LIFE, gracefully shared her experiences at the Camden-Wyoming Rotary Club as a guest speaker. Her background, enriched by caring for family members with health challenges, has provided her with deep insights into their needs.
Cynthia moved to Delaware from New York in 2021, bringing her expertise and compassion to the community.
Yasmith “Jazzy” Johnson, the District Governor Nominee for the Rotary District 7630 and a member of the international relations committee at the Camden-Wyoming Rotary Club, recently conducted her yearly visit to the Barranquilla Norte Rotary Club, where she was warmly received. During her visit, Jazzy highlighted the significant efforts of the Barranquilla Norte Rotary Club's "Save a Little Heart" project, which is committed to providing heart surgeries for children in need.
Special thanks to Gustavo De La Ossa Velez for his exemplary leadership and dedication to this vital initiative. The Barranquilla Norte Rotary Club made Jazzy feel right at home with their hospitality.
