A national consumer group awarded Rashmi Narsana, who recently completed her master's degree in community development and applied economics and now works as a researcher in the Center for Rural Studies, with its 2003 prize for the best graduate thesis.

Her work used data from the Center for Rural Studies "Vermonter" poll to explain the factors that influence consumers to search for information about genetically modified products, and the impact getting that information has on their purchasing behavior.

"Approximately 70 percent of processed foods are genetically modified, even though consumers demonstrate very little awareness of this," explains Narsana, who does not advocate for or against the foods. "But people are looking for information in a variety of sources, particularly the Internet, and getting information not necessarily preventing them from buying these products."

Narsana thinks her work may have some implications for policy makers looking for the best methods to disseminate information about genetically modified foods. While her research doesn't address the details of these policy questions, her analysis of the Vermont survey leaves her convinced of a simple point. "People want and need this information," she says.

Narsana will accept her award and present her work next April, at the annual meeting of the American Council on Consumer Interests in Atlanta. The group says Narsana's paper made a "substantive contribution to the academic literature in consumer science." In winning the award, Narsana joins two other CDAE alumni winners, Lee Shirey and Christine Torre.

---

For more campus news, happenings and notables, visit the view, the University of Vermont's online newsweekly.