“This award recognizes the importance of applied research in solving critical problems facing our state and region,” said Dean Kathryn Boor. She added:
“Bruce is widely respected in the U.S. and across the world as an authority on grape breeding and genetics. Since joining the CALS faculty in 1980, he has garnered national and international recognition for his pioneering work developing biolistic transformation technology, a novel technique that injects plants with new genetic information. Bruce’s lab has used this technology to encode anti-fungal compounds in commercial varieties, improving disease resistance.
His research has also identified molecular markers that aid in the selection of stress resistance in grape varieties.
“Bruce also uses traditional techniques to select wine grapes for excellent yields and quality, and resistance to cold and disease. Grapes identified and developed in Bruce’s laboratory are used by growers and wineries across the eastern United States. In fact, tonight we are serving two wines that have been made using varieties Bruce developed – A traminette from Goose Watch Winery, and Maroon 4 from Penguin Bay Winery, which is a blend containing Bruce’s Corot Noir and Noiret grapes.
“Industry leaders speak of Bruce’s “remarkable impacts” in helping wineries to improve the yields, quality and disease resistance of their grapevines. While Bruce is known for his research innovations, he is also well-respected across the College and the wine and grape industry for his efforts to spark collaborations and share knowledge with colleagues.
“He served as the principal investigator on the first multi-state grape breeding project,, and he hosted the 10th International Conference on Grapevine Breeding and Genetics, which brought nearly 300 of the world’s leaders in this field to our campus.
“Former students and visiting scientists speak of his talents as a teacher and mentor, as well as his kindness and collegiality. Over the past 30 years, Bruce has made tremendous contributions to our knowledge of plant breeding and to the wine and grape industry.
“Congratulations, Bruce.”
Boor also recognized:
- For Outstanding Accomplishments in Basic Research: Stephen H. Zinder, Department of Microbiology, for his important contributions in the field of microbiology, specifically in the area of reductive-dechlorination research and biomediation science in collaboration with colleagues James Gossett and Joe Yavitt.
- For Outstanding Accomplishments in Extension/Outreach: Arthur M. Agnello, Department of Entomology, for his work as an extension entomologist working with stakeholders, fruit growers, and others in New York and beyond.
- For Outstanding Accomplishments in Science and Public Policy: Christopher B. Barrett, Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, who has become a respected world leader in the economics of food aid programs for his work in food security, poverty, and the effects of environmental stress in low-income countries.
- For Outstanding Accomplishments in Early Achievement: Ruth E. Ley, Department of Microbiology, for her important research into mammalian gut microbial ecology and the inheritance of microbiota, and her comparative analysis of the contributions of diet, host phylogeny, and digestive physiology to the structure of mammalian gut communities.
Boor also presented Core Value Staff Awards to Sarah Gould, in recognition of her work and dedication as an administrative manager in the Department of Natural Resources, and Bruce Berggren-Thomas, in recognition of his work and dedication as a teaching support specialist in the Department of Animal Science.
See also Cornell Chronicle article CALS faculty and staff honored for outstanding achievements in their fields.