Marietta Wheaton Saunders Award

The Marietta Wheaton Saunders Award was created to honor Marietta Wheaton Saunders (1954-2023), Managing Director of the Society for In Vitro Biology (SIVB) from 1993 – 2023. Mrs. Saunders was passionate about the research of the members of the Society. The goal of this award is to inspire African American and Hispanic students to contribute to the innovative science that is a trademark of the in vitro biology and biotechnology fields. Through this support, the awardee will have the opportunity to: (1) present his/her research to an audience of senior scientists at the annual meeting of the SIVB, (2) socialize with researchers actively working in his/her area of interest, (3) connect with members, often well known in the field, with the potential for development of a mentoring relationship, and (4) become an active participating member of the SIVB.

The Marietta Wheaton Saunders Award is presented annually to an African American or Hispanic undergraduate or graduate student in the amount of $750 plus eligibility to receive the SIVB Travel Award up to an additional $500. This award is granted to one (1) student/year with the purpose of providing assistance to support their professional career development in the field of in vitro biology and/or biotechnology. Students applying for the Marietta Wheaton A letter of recommendation from a research advisor and 750-word essay highlighting both their intent for professional career in the field of in vitro biology or biotechnology and any challenges this opportunity will help them overcome myst be submitted with their application.

Gordon Sato and Wally McKeehan Award

This award was established by former students Drs. Gordon Yan and Gloria Zhang, founders of Biovision Inc., to honor their mentors.  Both Dr. Sato (1927-2017) and Dr. McKeehan were long time members of the SIVB serving in governing leadership positions, Editors-in-Chief of In Vitro Cellular and Developmental Biology – Animal and recipients of the SIVB Lifetime Achievement Award.  Dr. Sato and Dr. McKeehan are best known for innovations in mammalian tissue culture including defined media required for discovery and understanding hormones, growth factors and nutrients that mediate cell to cell communication in the tissue microenvironment in health and disease. Dr. Sato was elected to the US National Academy of Sciences in 1984.  Dr. Sato and Dr. McKeehan mentored numerous students who rose to leadership positions in academics, industry, medicine and mentoring internationally.

The purpose of the Gordon Sato and Wally McKeehan Award is to support student participation in the annual SIVB meeting.  A $500 award each is open to two students annually working with vertebrate or invertebrate cells in vitro. The student must submit a one-page resume of professional training and publications, an estimate of travel expenses to the meeting, and a letter of recommendation from a research advisor, along with abstract submission.

Cellular Toxicology Award 

The Cellular Toxicology Award is presented annually to a selected full-time graduate student presenting an oral presentation or poster in the field of cellular toxicology at the annual meeting of the SIVB. The award consists of a travel grant of up to $500 to attend the annual meeting and a certificate. Selection is made on the basis of need, originality, relevance to cellular toxicology, and a letter of recommendation from a faculty member.

Wilton R. Earle Award

The Wilton R. Earle Award was created to honor Wilton Robinson Earle (1902 –1964), an American cell biologist known for his research in cell culture techniques and carcinogenesis. From his laboratory came such developments as quantitative methods for analyzing tissue culture, the first test‐tube culture of tissue grown from a single cell, chemically defined media for growing cells on glass surfaces, and an instrument for making motion pictures of cells in culture. Dr. Earle’s work found many, applications in medical research, particularly that into the nature of cancer. He was a pioneer in showing that cells could become cancerous outside the body.

The Earle Award is presented annually to students in the amount of $300 plus eligibility to receive the SIVB Travel Award up to an additional $500. This award is open to students working in all areas of in vitro biology. An estimate of travel expenses must be submitted with the abstract. Students are evaluated on the basis of experimental design, clarity of presentation, and validity of interpretation.

Honor B. Fell Award

The Honor B. Fell Award was established in recognition of the achievements of the late Dame Honor Bridget Fell (1900 – 1986). Dr. Fell was a British scientist and zoologist. She was in every sense a pioneer, but especially in the field of tissue culture applied to embryogenesis. As Director of the Strangeways Research Laboratory in Cambridge, England at the age of 27, she at once became a leader in the cultivation of embryonic organs (limb buds, knee joints, mandibular skeletal tissue). Besides her work on bone rudiments, she made important contributions through her studies of skin and mucous membranes. Dame Honor was a leader in European as well as British cell and organ culture, and her influence was strong in North America.

The Fell Award recognizes graduate student research accomplishments in the general field of animal organ culture, as demonstrated by presentation of papers at the Annual Meeting of the SIVB. The award consists of a cash prize of $150.

Philip R. White Award

The Philip R. White Award was developed in honor of Philip R. White (1901-1968), who was the first to establish indefinite growth of isolated roots and of tumor tissues of plants. His 1930s and 1940s was groundbreaking and played a critical role in the development of modern plant biotechnology and the production of biotech crops. White was one of the best known and most influential figures of his generation in plant cell culture research.

The White Award is used to supplement expenses of an individual for continuing education in plant tissue culture techniques. A stipend of up to $650 is awarded for training at an institution of the awardee’s choice or to attend a professional meeting. The award, honoring Philip R. White, an eminent teacher and researcher in plant cell tissue culture techniques, is judged on the student’s ability to demonstrate interest, scholastic achievement, and need.