"The Scientist" magazine has ranked The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation as a top 10 scientific institution in the nation.

The magazine released the results of its annual "Best Places to Work in Academia" survey, and the Noble Foundation ranked No. 8. More than 70 institutions participated in the magazine's annual survey with the results available today in the publication's November issue.

This is the second time the Noble Foundation has earned a top 10 ranking from the magazine this year. In May, the Noble Foundation earned the No. 8 ranking in the magazine's "Best Places to Work for Postdoctoral Fellows" survey. This year marks the first time the Noble Foundation participated in either of the magazine's annual surveys during the organization's storied 62-year history.

"The Noble Foundation is one of only two institutions that ranked in the top 10 of both surveys. That is remarkable," said Michael A. Cawley, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Noble Foundation. "These surveys illustrate the high level of scientific and agricultural research the Noble Foundation has achieved. We are dedicated to providing abundant opportunities for those that conduct this research which impacts production agriculture in our state, region, country and the world."

The Noble Foundation employs 85 life scientists from more than 25 different countries around the world to perform plant science research and plant breeding at the Foundation's world-class facilities in Ardmore, Okla.

"These results serve as a valuable benchmark against important peer institutions," said Joe Bouton, Ph.D., Senior Vice President and Director of the Forage Improvement Division. "The Noble Foundation has become widely recognized for its ability to contribute to the complete spectrum of plant science – from fundamental and translational research to actual in-field application."

"The Scientist's" Web-based survey gathered 2,300 responses from life scientists at 73 institutions worldwide. Participants were asked to rate their institutions on 41 criteria in eight different areas that make up their working conditions and environment. The Noble Foundation received top scores for research resources and pay.

The institution provides more than 500,000 square feet of research and administration space, 12,000 acres of research and demonstration land, dedicated funding and ample support personnel to assist the research staff.

"Since initiating its research programs in 1988, the Noble Foundation has rapidly become a global leader in plant science research," said Richard Dixon, D.Phil., Senior Vice President and Plant Biology Division Director. "The resources and the high caliber of individuals that work here foster an almost unequaled research environment. I can only imagine where we'll be in the next 20 years."

The Noble Foundation topped such recognized research organizations as the National Institutes of Health, United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital and the Wistar Institute, as well as two dozen other national research universities, such as the University of Pennsylvania, Clemson University, the University of Oklahoma and the University of California.

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News Release Issued: November 6, 2008

For media inquiries concerning the Noble Foundation, please contact J. Adam Calaway, Director of Public Relations, at 580.224.6209 or by email at jacalaway@noble.org.

The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Inc. (www.noble.org), headquartered in Ardmore, Okla., is a nonprofit organization conducting agricultural, forage improvement and plant biology research; assisting farmers and ranchers through educational and consultative agricultural programs; and providing grants to nonprofit charitable, educational and health organizations.