RALEIGH -- Earlier this year Mary Dell-Chilton, a scientists for Syngenta, won the World Food Prize for her research involving genetics of the crops we eat in an effort to help with world hunger. Dell-Chilton has now been named the "Tar Heel of the Year" by the News and Observer of Raleigh for her work, but she says she's just happy to get to do something she loves every day.

Dell-Chilton says, "When I do an experiment, it's Christmas morning every time when I go back to the lab to see what happened. It's just so much fun...I hope that young people will hear my words and pursue their interest in science, if they love it as I do. It's just been a wonderful career for me."

She spoke with our partner outlet SFNTODAY.com. Chilton said she hopes the technology will be embraced by the public. Her research will help plants be able to grow in the changing climates around the world.