Weed Science Society Of America Presents 2015 Award Winners
March 11, 2015 Weed Science Society of America (WSSA)
presented awards to more than two dozen individuals for their outstanding contributions to the field of weed science. The awards were presented during the organization’s annual meeting, held this year in Lexington, KY.
“We were delighted to honor scientists who are spearheading innovations and advancing the weed science profession through their research, teaching, publishing and outreach,” said Joe DiTomaso, Ph.D., president of WSSA.
WSSA presented the Fellow Award – its highest recognition – to two distinguished scientists:
R. Douglas Sammons, Ph.D., a senior fellow with Monsanto: Sammons leads a team studying the biochemical characterization of glyphosate resistance mechanisms. He previously led an insecticidal protein discovery team and participated in registering Bollgard. He also blazed trails as a member of the herbicide design team exploring the chemical mechanism of EPSPS and the enzymology of glyphosate. Sammons’ stewardship activities include work on Roundup Ready products, as well as hosting students and postdoctoral scientists studying glyphosate resistance. In 2010 he was awarded Monsanto’s Science and Technology Career Award.
In addition to naming Sammons a fellow, WSSA also presented him with an Outstanding Reviewer Award for his review of scientific papers prior to their publication.
Wiley Carroll Johnson III, Ph.D., a research agronomist in weed science with the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service in Tifton, GA: Johnson is actively involved in the study of organic production of peanut and vegetable crops, including weed ecology and the use of integrated weed management systems and alternative weed management strategies. He previously was an extension agronomist with the University of Georgia. During his 30-year career, Johnson has published well over a 100 articles. His research accomplishments have earned him recognitions from the American Peanut Research and Education Society, Southern Weed Science Society, Georgia Organics, American Peanut Research and Education Society, and the University of Georgia.
Public Service Award
WSSA honored David Shaw, Ph.D., for his leadership on the issue of herbicide resistance. Shaw is past-president of the Society, current chair of the Herbicide Resistance Education Committee, and vice president for research and economic development at Mississippi State University. He chaired a USDA-APHIS task force on Herbicide Resistance Best Management Practices and Recommendations, a Council for Agricultural Science and Technology task force on the impacts of resistant weeds on tillage systems, and the planning committee for two Herbicide Resistance Summits at the National Academy of Sciences. He also has participated in the largest long-term field projects on glyphosate resistance management ever established. Among his many honors and awards are fellow recognitions from both WSSA and the American Association for Advancement of Science.
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