The highest honor given by the Society for In Vitro Biology is the Lifetime Achievement Award. It is presented to scientists who are considered pioneers or highly influential researchers in the science and art of cell culture. They are men and women who have devoted their careers to exemplary research and/or teaching. The recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award are selected by vote of the Board of Directors from a list of nominations recommended by the Awards Committee. The Society for In Vitro Biology honored Dr. Todd Jones and Dr. Lucy Lee with the SIVB Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2024 World Congress on In Vitro Biology. Dr. Todd Jones’ Lifetime Achievement award is highlighted in this issue of the In Vitro Report. Dr. Lucy Lee’s Lifetime Achievement Awards was highlighted in the last issue of the In Vitro Report.
2024 SIVB LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – Dr. Todd J. Jones
Dr. Todd Jones has had a distinguished 35-year career, making significant scientific contributions to plant in vitro biology across diverse crops and research areas, while also impacting numerous individuals through his mentorship, leadership, and collaborative spirit.
Dr. Jones’s academic foundation was established at the University of California, Davis, where he earned his Ph.D. in Plant Cell and Developmental Biology in 1988 where he developed his dual passion for plant anatomy and developmental biology. After a postdoctoral appointment at the University of California, Berkeley, investigating fluorescent immunochemistry in carrot embryogenesis, he joined Dupont Crop Genetics as a Research Biologist in 1989. His subsequent career included leadership roles in research and development at various organizations, where he focused on a wide range of plant species, from trees to row crops. In 2010, he assumed the Directorship of Crop Genome Engineering at Corteva, where he continued to advance plant tissue culture, transformation, and genome editing, while retaining his passion for histology, anatomy, and somatic embryogenesis. In 2022, Dr. Jones transitioned out of his long tenure as Director of Crop Genome Engineering to accept the role of Pillar Leader for Corteva’s Ag Equity Initiatives. This position involves coordinating collaborative projects, often supported by philanthropic organizations and government funding, to develop genome-edited products and technologies for smallholder farmers, primarily in Africa but also globally. These collaborations include groundbreaking projects such as Maize Lethal Necrosis resistance for Africa, Hy-Gain (Capturing Heterosis) for Smallholder Farmers, Seed Production Technology for Africa, Teff Improvement for Ethiopia, Rancidity Reduction in Pearl Millet, Aflatoxin Mitigation in Groundnuts, and Striga-Smart Sorghum. These initiatives have the potential to significantly improve the lives of smallholder farmers in Africa and may ultimately be his most important legacy.
SIVB President, Piero Barone (R) presents the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award to Todd Jones.
Throughout his tenure at Corteva, Dr. Jones has garnered numerous accolades, including the Worldwide Research Market Shaper of the Year and the Global Biotech Pipeline Advancement Award. In 2023, he was honored as a Distinguished Laureate at Corteva Agriscience, a recognition reserved for scientists who exemplify technical excellence and pave the way for future scientific and technological advancements. His prolific publication record, including three highly cited papers in In Vitro Plant and numerous U.S. patents and patent applications, further underscores his research accomplishments.
Dr. Jones’s commitment to the Society for In Vitro Biology (SIVB) is evident through his extensive service in various capacities, including President, Member at Large, Program Chair, and Associate Editor for In Vitro Cellular and Developmental Biology – Plant. His affiliations extend to other prominent scientific societies such as the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the American Society of Plant Biologists (ASPB), the International Association for Plant Biotechnology (IAPB), and the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST). He has also contributed to the Maize Genetics Meeting Steering Committee and served as a peer reviewer for numerous plant science journals.
In addition to his professional commitments, he has generously shared his expertise in plant anatomy, histology, tissue culture, and transformation with the scientific community at larger. His guidance has been invaluable to numerous scientists, fostering both their professional development and personal growth.
The Society for In Vitro Biology expresses its profound gratitude to Dr. Jones for his exceptional contributions to the field.
This award serves as a testament to his remarkable achievements.
Congratulations, Dr. Todd Jones, on this well-deserved recognition.
Submitted by Bill Gordon-Kamm and Piero Barone
