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 to 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. Wayne Parrott with the SIVB Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2025 In Vitro Biology Meeting.
2025 SIVB Lifetime Achievement Award – Dr. Wayne A. Parrott
Wayne Parrott, Recipient of the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award.
Dr. Wayne Parrott is noted as one of the pioneers in plant biotechnology, most specifically for his early work on soybean transformation and regeneration. He has contributed immensely to the field through research and outreach efforts sharing his expertise at numerous national and international conferences and workshops, as well as teaching numerous related courses designed for both undergraduate and graduate students. He continues to have a prolonged impact on science, the SIVB and his many colleagues, mentees and friends.
Wayne Parrott accepted the SIVB Lifetime Achievement Award surrounded by his Post Docs, Students, and colleagues.
Wayne received his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and, after completing a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Kentucky, began and continues his academic career at the University of Georgia where he serves as a Distinguished Research Professor. As that title implies, his research productivity is outstanding and includes >130 refereed journal articles, numerous book chapters, three patents and two co-edited manuals. He also helped to secure >$86 million in research dollars. Wayne remains a leader in cutting-edge research in plant biotechnology in both eudicots and monocots. He also spends a great deal of effort providing facts, guidance and advice to those involved in regulation of plants enhanced through genetic transformation and genome editing in the U.S. and numerous other countries. In fact, the two manuals he co-edited were guides for environmental safety/risk assessment of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) that were geared toward both U.S. and international audiences. He was also invited to testify before the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry in a hearing on Agricultural Innovation and the Federal Biotechnology Regulatory Framework.
Wayne has been a member of the SIVB for >30 years and participated in numerous In Vitro Biology meetings and World Congresses, and became engaged in numerous roles in the SIVB. Appointed positions included Plant Program Co-Chair then Chair for two In Vitro Biology meetings, and Program Chair for a World Congress on In Vitro Biology. Elected positions included Chair of the Plant Biotechnology Section, Member-at-Large on the SIVB Board of Directors and, since 2018, Wayne serves as Chair of the Public Policy Committee. He was also a co-principal investigator on a NSF grant (2022-2025, $499K) that enabled initiation of the Plant Genetic Engineering Network (PlantGENE). This network partners with SIVB to offer educational and cutting-edge research workshops to share information with fellow plant biologists, and co-hosted pre-conference workshops at the last three In Vitro Biology meetings.
Prior to receiving the SIVB Lifetime Achievement Award, Wayne received other prestigious awards. Specifically, he was named a Fellow in SIVB and three other scientific organizations – American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Society of Plant Biologists (ASPB) and Crop Science Society of America. He received Distinguished Service Awards from the SIVB (six times), the American Seed Trade Association, and ASPB (Mary Clutter Leadership in Science Public Service Award).
Wayne is so much more than the facts stated above. He is one of the most generous scientists in offering his time, talent and advice. He is an outstanding science communicator and helps many of us to become better in this craft, and is an inspiration to the next generation of scientists by word, action, his strong work ethic, and his passion for science. In closing, the words from a colleague: “Wayne’s pioneering research, impactful mentorship, and tireless advocacy for biotechnology have advanced the field of in vitro biology and inspired countless individuals.”
Submitted by Nancy Reichert and Allan Wenck
