The SIVB Young Scientist Award recognizes professionals who have contributed significantly to advancements of the In Vitro Sciences, generally within 10 years of completion of their terminal degree. The award consists of a certificate and a monetary honorarium. At the 2013 SIVB meeting in Providence, RI the Plant Biotechnology section recognized Dr. Sadanand Dhekney with the Young Scientist Award.
Professor Sadanand A. Dhekney
Dennis Gray congratulates Sadanand Dhekney for receiving the Young Scientist Award
Dr. Dhekney obtained his PhD from the University of Florida in 2004 and is currently an Assistant Professor of Horticulture at the University of Wyoming. He has a 45% teaching, 45% research and 10% advising appointment. Dr. Dhekney has been a regular at SIVB meetings for the past 12 years after he first attended as a graduate student in 2002. He has been actively involved with SIVB as a volunteer, member on various committees and a reviewer of manuscripts for the In Vitro journal. He has made outstanding accomplishments in research, teaching and extension during his career.
As a post-doctoral research associate at the University of Florida, Dr. Dhekney conducted research on the development of technology for improving grapevine resistance to fungal pathogens and Pierce’s disease. He optimized protocols for establishment of embryogenic cultures, which were then used to insert functional genes for disease resistance via genetic engineering. He developed a technique to produce transgenic plants of muscadine grape, a species considered highly difficult to manipulate genetically. Dr. Dhekney was also involved in the development of two conventionally-bred, early maturing, high yielding and disease resistant grape varieties, ‘Delicious’ and ‘Southern Jewel’.
Dr. Dhekney’s current research is focused on studying grapevine genes involved in abiotic stress signaling pathways to identify candidates that impart cold hardiness and drought tolerance. He is also actively involved with regional growers to identify table and wine grape cultivars that are suitable for cultivation in the mountain-west regions of the US.
Sadanand Dhekney
Dr. Dhekney has published his research in several journals including In Vitro Cellular and Developmental Biology – Plant. Thus far, he has authored or co-authored 26 peer-reviewed papers, 49 presentations and 5 book chapters in the areas of plant regeneration, cryopreservation, genetic engineering, molecular markers and horticulture.
Dr. Dhekney currently teaches courses in viticulture and plant biotechnology and is actively involved with graduate and undergraduate students. His courses are taught by long-distance and are broadcasted by videoconference at 11 locations statewide. He has mentored a number of high school students in their science fair projects, with some competing at the international level. He also judges national, state and county science fair projects.
Dr. Dhekney has received several awards and honors in plant biotechnology. He received the William H. Krome memorial fellowship in 2002 and the Warren Wood Sr. memorial fellowship in 2003 for excellence in tropical fruit biotechnology research. He was awarded the 2003 Student Travel Award by the Society for In Vitro Biology for research work in papaya biotechnology. His publication on genetic engineering of papaya for cold tolerance was adjudged as a Journal Highlight by the Editor-in-chief of In Vitro Cellular and Developmental Biology-Plant.
Submitted by Dennis Gray
