Writer: Kay Ledbetter, 806-677-5608, skledbetter@ag.tamu.edu
Contact: Dr. Seth Murray, 979-845-3469, sethmurray@tamu.edu
Dr. Frank Hons, 979-845-3477, f-hons@tamu.edu
Dr. David Baltensperger, 979-845-3041, dbaltensperger@tamu.edu

COLLEGE STATION – Scientists and students with Texas A&M University’s department of soil and crop sciences and Texas A&M AgriLife Research will be recognized for their outstanding research during the annual meeting of the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America and Soil Science Society of America.

The societies will recognize the individuals at special awards ceremonies Nov. 2-5 in Long Beach, California.

Dr. David Baltensperger, Texas A&M soil and crop sciences department head and president of the Crop Science Society of America this year, said, “It is so great to see so many from Texas A&M AgriLife recognized.”

Dr. Seth C. Murray, an assistant professor and AgriLife Research corn breeder in College Station, will be receiving the 2014 Crop Science Society of America Young Scientist Award.

Murray directs a research program focused on both quantitative genetic discovery and applied corn breeding for Texas and the southern U.S. Breeding trait research in his program includes improved aflatoxin resistance, drought tolerance and nutrient-use efficiency in yellow corn, and incorporation of novel genetic diversity for perennial, blue and quality protein maize.

He has developed statistical techniques for improved genetic mapping of natural variation and to increase understanding of crop improvement processes.

Murray earned a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and his doctorate at Cornell University. He has previously been recognized with the National Association of Plant Breeders Early Career Award in 2013 and the Barbara McClintock Graduate Student Award by Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences in 2007.

Dr. Frank Hons, professor and AgriLife Research Faculty Fellow, will be the recipient of the American Society of Agronomy Agronomic Resident Education Award for 2014.

Hons is internationally recognized for his research involving soil biogeochemistry, carbon sequestration and nitrogen dynamics, and has authored 115 peer-reviewed publications. He has taught agronomy and soil science classes for 36 years and has mentored 42 graduate students.

Hons earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Dallas and master’s and doctorate degrees in soil chemistry and soil science, respectively, from Texas A&M University.

Hons is a Fellow of both the American Society of Agronomy and the Soil Science Society of America.He has previously received teaching awards at both the departmental and college levels.

Adam Mahan will be presented with the Gerald O. Mott Scholarship for Meritorious Graduate Students in Crop Science. Mahan is a doctoral student in plant breeding and works in Murray’s corn breeding program. His dissertation focuses on mapping recombination rate and blue aleurone in maize crosses differing in parent number and generations of intermating.

The Crop Science Society of America also awarded the Fellow title to Dr. Jim Muir, a grassland ecologist at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center at Stephenville and Tarleton State University. Muir’s team studies plant and animal interactions in natural and cultivated grasslands with particular focus on legume condensed tannins.

The CSSA Presidential Award will be presented to Dr. James Beard, professor emeritus of the AgriLife Research turfgrass science program.

According to his nomination, Beard’s research pioneered the environmental stress physiology of turfgrasses that resulted in reduced resource inputs. He has had a unique impact through his innovative research, leadership, former students and nine books.

Colton Beall, a junior pursuing two bachelor’s degrees in bioenvironmental sciences and plant and environmental soil science, will be receiving the Cross-Cultural Experience Program Scholarship from the American Society of Agronomy.

In addition, three students will be recognized as Golden Opportunity Scholars. The Golden Opportunity Scholars Institute matches undergraduates with scientist-mentors and encourages them to pursue careers in the agronomic, crop and soil sciences.

The three students are: Ian Sprouse, an undergraduate double major in agricultural education and agronomy with a crops emphasis; Shelby Redgate, a senior plant and environmental soil science and bioenvironmental sciences double major; and Julieta Collazo, a research assistant at Texas A&M University.

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