-Magdalen Lindeberg

Mike Gore, Liberty Hyde Bailey professor and chair of the SIPS Plant Breeding & Genetics Section, received a Cornell President’s Award for Employee Excellence on November 19th. The ‘Culture of Belonging‘ Award recognizes an employee who goes beyond expectations to create and support an open, inclusive, welcoming, and equitable workplace environment for all members of the Cornell community.

Gore’s nomination materials cited his demonstrated commitment to increasing diversity and addressing disparities in the Plant Breeding & Genetics Section. In addition to conducting faculty discussions and seeking out speakers and resources to encourage dialogue, he was praised for his inclusion of administrative staff. “Mike not only listens to staff who approach him with ideas for making our community more welcoming, he actively seeks out our engagement and encourages input in the decision-making process and trying new approaches to problem solve and identify ways to create a more welcoming community for all.”

Gore’s research is directed at improving the lives of people globally and addressing environmental challenges to food security. Specific research areas encompass advanced plant genetics and rapid analysis of plant traits with the goal of increasing nutrition in staple crops and breeding for climate resilience and disease resistance.