Winners Announced in Weed Science Society of America’s Annual Awards Program

Nearly two dozen individuals from academia, government and private industry were honored recently by the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) for outstanding contributions to the field of weed science.

The annual awards were presented during WSSA’s 50th Annual Meeting, held recently in Denver, Colorado.

“The individuals honored are scientists who are making a significant mark on the profession,” says Dr. Lori J. Wiles of the USDA Agricultural Research Service, this year’s chair of the WSSA awards committee. “They are informing our understanding of weeds, developing environmentally sound and cost-effective management techniques, and pioneering best practices.”

With support from sponsors BASF, Dow AgroSciences, DuPont Crop Protection and Syngenta Crop Protection, WSSA presented awards in 10 categories to the individuals listed below:

FELLOWS AWARDS, for WSSA members who have been part of the organization for at least a decade and have made substantial contributions to the field of weed science.

Jill Schroeder, Ph.D.
Professor of Weed Science, Department of Entomology, Plant Pathology and
Weed Science
New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, New Mexico

Joan A. Dusky, Ph.D.
Associate Dean for Extension and Agriculture Programs Leader
Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida

Krishna Reddy, Ph.D.
Research Plant Physiologist and Lead Scientist for Crop Production Systems
USDA-ARS Crop Production Systems Research Unit
Stoneville, Mississippi

OUTSTANDING RESEARCH AWARD, presented to a WSSA member whose original, creative work has made an impact on the weed science field.

Jodie S. Holt, Ph.D.
Professor of Plant Physiology and Chair of the Department of Botany and Plant Sciences
University of California, Riverside
Riverside, California

OUTSTANDING INDUSTRY AWARD, honoring the professional achievements of a WSSA member employed in private industry.

Janis E. McFarland, Ph.D.
Head of Regulatory Affairs, NAFTA
Syngenta Crop Protection
Greensboro, North Carolina

OUTSTANDING GRADUATE STUDENT AWARD, presented to an individual who has made a notable contribution to weed science as a student and has excellent potential for additional contributions.

Vince Davis, Ph.D.
Soybean Extension Specialist
Department of Crop Sciences
University of Illinois
Champaign-Urbana, Illinois

OUTSTANDING EXTENSION AWARD, presented to an individual exhibiting excellence in weed science extension activities.

William G. (Bill) Johnson, Ph.D.
Professor of Weed Science
Purdue University
West Lafayette, Indiana

OUTSTANDING EARLY CAREER WEED SCIENTIST AWARD, presented to an early career member demonstrating originality and creativity and making a notable contribution to the field.

Jason Norsworthy, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas

OUTSTANDING PAPER AWARD, presented for an article in the journal “Invasive Plant Science and Management.”

“Hybridization between Invasive Populations of Dalmatian Toadflax (Linaria genistifolia subsp. Dalmatica) and Yellow Toadflax (Linaria vulgaris).” Invasive Plant Science and Management 2:369-378.

Sarah Ward, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Plant Genetics, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, Colorado

Caren Fleischmann
M.S. Candidate
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, Colorado

Marie Turner, Ph.D.
Ph.D. Candidate and Research Assistant
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, Colorado

Sharlene Sing, Ph.D.
Research Entomologist
USDA-USFS Rocky Mountain Research Station
Grassland, Shrubland and Desert Ecosystems
Bozeman, Montana

OUTSTANDING PAPER, presented for an article in the journal “Weed Science.”

“Importance of the P106S Target-Site Mutation in Conferring Resistance to Glyphosate in a Goosegrass (Eleusine indica) Population from the Philippines.” Weed Science 56:637-646.

Shiv Shankhar Kaundun, Ph.D.
Lead Herbicide Resistance Biologist
Syngenta
Jealott’s Hill International Research Center
Bracknell, United Kingdom

Ian Zelaya, Ph.D.
Project Team Leader
Syngenta
Jealott’s Hill International Research Center
Bracknell, United Kingdom

Richard Dale, MSc.
Molecular Biologist
Syngenta
Jealott’s Hill International Research Center
Bracknell, United Kingdom

Amy Lycett
Researcher
Syngenta
Jealott’s Hill International Research Center
Bracknell, United Kingdom

Patrice Carter
Ph.D. Student
Department of Cardiovascular Research
University of Leicester
Leicester, England

Kate Sharples, Ph.D.
Leader of the Herbicide Biokinetics Team
Syngenta
Jealott’s Hill International Research Center
Bracknell, United Kingdom

Eddie McIndoe
Consultant Statistician
Syngenta
Jealott’s Hill International Research Center
Bracknell, United Kingdom

OUTSTANDING PAPER, presented for an article in the journal “Weed Technology.”

“Selecting for Weed Resistance: Herbicide Rotation and Mixture.” Weed Technology 23:363-370.

Hugh J. Beckie, Ph.D.
Weed Scientist
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Research Center
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada

Xavier Reboud, Ph.D.
Co-director of the Division of Plant Health and the Environment
Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique
Dijon Cedex, France

OUTSTANDING REVIEWERS AWARD, presented for excellence in the review of articles for WSSA journals.

Joe Yenish, Ph.D.
Extension Weed Scientist
Washington State University
Pullman, Washington

Wesley Everman, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor and Extension Weed Specialist
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

###
__________
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 http://www.wssa.net.

###