Nomination Process

The B.Y. Morrison Memorial Lecture series was established in 1968 by the Agricultural Research Service to honor the memory of Benjamin Y. Morrison and to recognize scientists who have made outstanding contributions to horticulture and other environmental sciences, to encourage the use of these sciences, and to stress the urgency of preserving and enhancing natural beauty.

Benjamin Y. Morrison (1891–1966) was a pioneer in horticulture and the first director of the U.S. National Arboretum in Washington, DC. A scientist, landscape architect, plant explorer, author, and lecturer, Morrison advanced the science of botany in the United States and fostered broad international exchange of ornamental plants. Morrison was also chief editor of the American Horticultural Society's magazine from its inception in 1926 until 1963, only 3 years before his death.

2009 B.Y. Morrison Memorial Lecturer

Michael S. Reid, Professor, Department of Plant Sciences, University of California at Davis

Fulfilling the Promise: Applying Molecular Tools to Horticultural Crops

Molecular strategies provide powerful tools for breeding novel horticultural crops by readily incorporating important phenotypes that improve quality and production traits into existing elite cultivars. Although the 'FlavrSavr' tomato was the first commercial crop to be developed using these new tools, biotechnology has primarily been applied to large-scale agronomic crops. Recent discoveries in plant biology are already driving the laboratory testing of new strategies for modifying the architecture, flowering, longevity, and pest and disease resistance of horticultural plants. Fulfilling the promise of biotechnology requires a concerted effort to remove the financial, regulatory, and intellectual property roadblocks to releasing these plants for commercial production.

Nomination Process

Nominations for the Agricultural Research Service B.Y. Morrison 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 20705-5128.

(Nominations may not be faxed or emailed)

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

Co-sponsor

The American Society for Horticultural Science co-sponsors the B.Y. Morrison Lecture. ASHS is a professional society dedicated to promoting national and international interest in scientific research and education in all branches of horticulture.

Previous Lecturers