Dr. Joyce Van Eck
Receives the 2025 SIVB Distinguished Scientist Award
Dr. Joyce Van Eck , Recipient of the 2025 Distinguished Scientist Award.
The Society for In Vitro Biology (SIVB), Plant Biotechnology Section, is proud to present the 2025 Distinguished Scientist Award to Dr. Joyce Van Eck in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the field of in vitro biology. This prestigious award honors individuals whose work exemplifies scientific excellence, innovation, and a sustained commitment to advancing the plant science community. Dr. Van Eck’s groundbreaking research, service, and leadership have made her a highly deserving recipient of this honor.
Dr. Van Eck is a Professor and the Boyce Schulze Downey Distinguished Scientist at the Boyce Thompson Institute (BTI), and an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Plant Breeding and Genetics Section at Cornell University. She received her B.S. from The Pennsylvania State University, her M.S. from the University of Delaware, and her Ph.D. from Cornell University. As a pioneering plant biotechnologist, Dr. Van Eck is widely recognized for her work in developing innovative bioengineering approaches to study gene function and accelerate crop improvement. Her research focuses on applying genetic engineering and genome editing technologies to both model and food crops, including tomato, groundcherry (Physalis grisea), goldenberry (Physalis peruviana), and other Solanum species. Her laboratory was among the first to successfully deliver CRISPR/Cas9 reagents into plant cells, resulting in the first genome-edited tomato lines—an important milestone in agricultural biotechnology.
President Piero Barone congratulates Joyce Van Eck on receiving the Distinguished Scientist Award.
In recent years, Joyce has led an NSF-sponsored Research Coordination Network (RCN) award, through which she spearheaded the establishment of PlantGENE, a global platform aimed at advancing plant bioengineering by promoting research, training, and knowledge sharing. Today, PlantGENE includes over 1,200 members from 58 countries and continues to grow. The platform provides virtual training workshops, a wide range of online resources, plant transformation protocols, and career consultation services for early-career scientists, fostering a vibrant and collaborative international community.
Dr. Van Eck has published 69 peer-reviewed papers in high-impact journals such as Nature Biotechnology, The Plant Cell, and PNAS, and contributed multiple book chapters and invited reviews. Her scientific leadership was instrumental in the landmark 2012 tomato genome sequencing project, which has been cited over 3,000 times. She is the inventor of seven issued patents, with another currently pending.
In addition to her research, Dr. Van Eck has made significant contributions to science education and public outreach. She established the Center for Plant Biotechnology Research at BTI, which has provided transgenic plant materials and expertise to over 25 research groups across 20 U.S. states. Her tomato transformation protocol is now a widely adopted standard worldwide. Her public engagement includes initiatives such as the Breaking Ground Discussion Series, Art at BTI, the Tomato Genetic Biodiversity Garden, and K–12 school visits – all aimed at connecting science with the broader public.
Qingzhen Jian (L) and Kan Wang (R) congratulate Joyce Van Eck on receiving the Distinguished Scientist Award.
Within SIVB, Dr. Van Eck has been a long-standing and dedicated member. She has served on numerous committees, including Membership, Development, Social Engagement, and Science Policy, as well as chairing the NSF-funded Plant Genetic Engineering Network Steering Committee. She has received the SIVB President’s Award (2023 and 2024) and the Service Award (2022–2025) for her tireless contributions. She has also organized and co-chaired numerous scientific sessions at SIVB conferences, particularly on genome engineering and plant transformation technologies.
Her contributions to the scientific publishing community include editorial board memberships for Plant Cell Tissue and Organ Culture and Frontiers in Genome Editing, as well as service as a reviewer for major journals and NSF panels. Notably, one of her papers – Gupta and Van Eck, 2016 – was selected among the top ten most impactful publications in the 40-year history of Plant Cell Tissue and Organ Culture.
Dr. Van Eck’s research, mentorship, and public engagement have had a profound and lasting impact on in vitro biology and plant science. Her work continues to inspire future generations of scientists, making her a truly exemplary recipient of the 2025 SIVB Distinguished Scientist Award.
Congratulations, Dr. Joyce Van Eck!
Submitted by Kan Wang and Qingzhen Jiang
