2010 Call for Nominations

This Lectureship was established in 1981 by ARS to honor the memory of Sterling B. Hendricks and to recognize scientists who have made outstanding contributions to the chemical science of agriculture.

Dr. Hendricks contributed to many diverse scientific disciplines, including plant physiology, soil science, mineralogy, agronomy, geology, and chemistry. He is most frequently remembered for discovering phytochrome, the light-activated molecule that regulates many plant processes.

The 2010 Sterling B. Hendricks Lecture will be presented during the American Chemical Society National Meeting held in San Francisco, March 21-25, 2010.

2009 Sterling B. Hendricks Memorial Lecturer

Charles J. Arntzen, Florence Ely Nelson Presidential Endowed Chair and The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona

Biomanufacture of Nanoparticle Vaccines in Plants

Since the 1980's, recombinant DNA technology has increasingly been an important component of vaccine design and production. Vaccines to prevent infections by the Hepatitis B virus and human Pappiloma virus are major success stories in public health; these vaccines are biomanufactured using cultured yeast or insect cells. This technical approach could potentially be used to create new vaccines against other pathogens, but the high technology approach imposes substantial capital costs in production facilities. The progress that has been achieved in plant biotechnology to create new, cost-effective biomanufacturing systems for particulate vaccines against chronic and infectious disease will be discussed in this lecture. Plant viruses have been re-engineered to cause them to produce high levels of virus-like particles (nanoparticles) in tobacco plants over a one-two week time span. Rapid progress is underway to establish good manufacturing protocols to meet pharmaceutical standards needed for human clinical trials.

Call for Nominations

2010 Sterling B. Hendricks Memorial Lectureship

This Lectureship was established in 1981 by ARS to honor the memory of Sterling B. Hendricks and to recognize scientists who have made outstanding contributions to the chemical science of agriculture. Dr. Hendricks contributed to many diverse scientific disciplines, including soil science, mineralogy, agronomy, plant physiology, geology, and chemistry. He is most frequently remembered for discovering phytochrome, the light-activated molecule that regulates many plant processes.

The lecture should address a scientific topic, trend, or policy issue related to the chemical science of agriculture, including bioenergy, biobased products, and food processing. Nominees may be outstanding, senior scientists in industry, universities, or government positions. Current ARS employees are not eligible. (Presenting the Lecture is a requirement of the honor.)

The Divisions of Agrochemicals and Agricultural & Food Chemistry co-sponsor the Lecture, which will be held in a joint session of these divisions. The lectureship is presented at an AGFD symposium in even-numbered years and in an AGRO symposium in odd-numbered years. The award includes an honorarium of $2000, a bronze medallion, and expenses to present the lecture.

Nomination Process

Nominations for the Agricultural Research Service Sterling B. Hendricks Memorial Lectureship are accepted in November. Please send:

1. A letter explaining the nominee's contributions to chemistry and agriculture
2. Nominee's current curriculum vitae

To: Kim Kaplan, Lecture Coordinator
ARS Information Staff, Room 1-2253
5601 Sunnyside Ave., Beltsville, MD 20705. 301-504-1637

(Using a carrier other than USPS is advisable. Nominations may not be faxed or emailed)

The deadline for nominations is November 4, 2009 (COB, EST).

Nominees may be outstanding senior contributors in industry, universities, or government positions. Current ARS employees are not eligible.

Previous Lecturers