Weed Science Society of America Announces Winners in Annual Scientific Awards Program

Nearly two dozen individuals from academia, government and private industry have been honored by the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) for their outstanding contributions to the field of weed science. The WSSA awards program is designed to recognize individuals from around the globe who are all-stars in their profession. Winners are conducting breakthrough research, promoting weed science education, or devoting their time and energy to the profession in other significant ways.

Lawrence, KS (PRWEB) February 10, 2009 -- Nearly two dozen individuals from academia, government and private industry were honored Monday by the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) for their outstanding contributions to the field of weed science.

The annual awards were presented during WSSA's 49th Annual Meeting, now underway in Orlando, Florida.

"Our annual WSSA awards program honors individuals from around the globe who are all-stars in their profession," said Jeffrey Derr, Ph.D., of Virginia Tech, president of WSSA. "They conduct breakthrough research, promote weed science education, or devote their time and energy to the profession in other significant ways."

The awards committee was chaired by Lori Wiles, Ph.D., who works with the USDA's Agricultural Research Service in Colorado. Awards were presented in 11 categories to the individuals listed below:

- WSSA Fellow is the highest honor bestowed upon WSSA members. Only 0.25 percent of the membership may be selected for Fellowship in any given year. These members have been part of the organization for at least a decade and have made substantial contributions to the field of weed science.

Karen Renner, Ph.D.

Professor, Department of Crop and Soil Sciences

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan

Michael Barrett, Ph.D.

Chair, Plant and Soil Sciences Department

University of Kentucky

Lexington, Kentucky

A. Richard Bonanno, Ph.D.

Extension Weed Science Educator and Adjunct Professor

University of Massachusetts

Amherst, Massachusetts

- Outstanding Research Award for a WSSA member whose original, creative work has made an impact on the weed science field.

Ragahavan Charudattan, Ph.D.

Professor, Plant Pathology Dept., College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida

- Outstanding Industry Award honoring the professional achievements of a WSSA member employed in private industry.

Nelroy E. Jackson, Ph.D.

Consultant in Vegetation Management

Corona, California

- Outstanding Graduate Student Award for an M.S. or Ph.D. candidate in weed science receiving an advanced degree within the past year.

Todd Gaines

Doctoral Candidate

Colorado State University

Fort Collins, Colorado

- Outstanding Extension Award for an individual exhibiting excellence in weed science extension outreach activities.

Chris Boerboom, Ph.D.

Professor and Extension Weed Scientist

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Madison, Wisconsin

- Outstanding Early Career Weed Scientist Award for a member age 40 or less who has demonstrated originality and creativity and has made a notable contribution to the discipline.

Christy L. Sprague, Ph.D.

Associate Professor and Extension Specialist

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan

- Outstanding Paper in the Journal Invasive Plant Science and Management

"Quantifying Invasiveness of Plants: A Test Case with Yellow Toadflax (Linaria vulgaris)." Invasive Plant Science and Management 1:319-325.

Erik A. Lehnhoff, Ph.D.

Assistant Director for Research, Center for Invasive Plant Management

Montana State University

Bozeman, Montana

Lisa J. Rew, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Non-Native Plant Ecology, Department of Land Resources and Environmental Science

Montana State University

Bozeman, Montana

Bruce D. Maxwell, Ph.D.

Professor of Agroecology/Weed Ecology, Department of Land Resources and Environmental Science

Montana State University

Bozeman, Montana

Mark L. Taper, Ph.D.

Research Associate and Associate Professor, Department of Ecology

Montana State University

Bozeman, Montana

- Outstanding Paper in the Journal Weed Science

"Heterologous Hybridization of Cotton Microarrays with Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti) Reveals Physiological Responses Due to Corn Competition." Weed Science 55:546-557.

David Horvath, Ph.D.

Scientist

USDA Agricultural Research Service

Fargo, North Dakota

Danny Llewellyn, Ph.D.

Sub-Program Leader of Genomics and Plant Development

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization

Clayton South VIC, Australia

Sharon A. Clay, Ph.D.

Professor, Plant Science

South Dakota State University

Brookings, South Dakota

- Outstanding Paper in the Journal Weed Technology

"Contrasting Responses of Weed Communities and Crops to 12 Years of Tillage and Fertilization Treatments." Weed Technology 22:309-317.

Anne Légère, Ph.D.

Research Scientist

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada

Craig Stevenson, Ph.D.

Consultant

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada

Noura Ziadi, Ph.D.

Research Scientist

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada

- Outstanding Reviewers Award for excellence in the review of articles for WSSA journals.

John F. Gaskin, Ph.D.

Research Leader, Pest Management Research Unit

USDA Agricultural Research Service

Sidney, Montana

Joel Felix, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor and Weed Scientist

Oregon State University, Malheur Agricultural Experiment Station

Ontario, Oregon

- Honorary Member Award to recognize significant contributions to the field of weed science.

Hiroshi Matsumoto, Ph.D.

Professor, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences

University of Tsukuba

Tsukuba, Japan

About the Weed Science Society of America

The Weed Science Society of America, a nonprofit professional society, was founded in 1956 to encourage and promote the development of knowledge concerning weeds and their impact on the environment. The Weed Science Society of America promotes research, education and extension outreach activities related to weeds, provides science-based information to the public and policy makers, and fosters awareness of weeds and their impacts on managed and natural ecosystems. For more information, visit www.wssa.net.

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