Luke Smith
MPS Class of 2027, Global Development
- Pronouns: He/him
- Grand challenge: The early detection and education about Lepidopteran agricultural pests in the developing world.
- Connect: Research Gate
- Email: lss265 [at] cornell.edu
Luke Smith received his B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Florida. During and after undergraduate studies he worked with several non-profit animal welfare organizations administering grants and providing transportation for High-Quality, High-Volume Spay and Neuter clinics. In 2023, Luke traveled to The Gambia to serve as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Education Sector. He partnered with staff and students at the University of The Gambia during a third-year project to document local Lepidopteran biodiversity with an emphasis on pest detection.
As a Master of Professional Studies (MPS) student at Cornell University, Luke is interested in improving the detection and management of Lepidopteran agricultural pests in the developing world. Technology and AI are increasing the ability of farmers to document pests in all corners of the globe. Luke would like to engage community members to use these emerging technologies, and leverage the existing extension offices around the world to create a global network of pest management efforts with the goals of increasing the economic stability of farming households and reducing food insecurity in vulnerable communities. He saw first hand the damage that agricultural pests can cause when communities are under-equipped to manage them while living with a host family of farmers during his service in The Gambia. As a Coverdell Fellow, Luke plans to embrace the Peace Corps goals of sustainable capacity building and cross-cultural sharing by continuing to invest in his counterparts and by sharing their efforts and successes with friends, families, and colleagues.