Annual Research Awards in the College of Agriculture

Researcher of the Year Award

Brian LarkinsBrian Larkins, a professor in the Department of Plant Sciences, is a pioneer in the application of molecular genetics and biotechnology to crop improvement. His research over the past 20 years has focused on developing cereal grains with higher nutritional quality. His seminal work on lysine inheritance and Quality Protein Maize was recognized recently by his election to membership in the national Academy of Sciences, a distinction that is reserved for the very finest scientists in the U.S. He was also recently selected to receive the Dennis R. Hoagland Award from the American Society of Plant Physiologists.

In the last two decades Larkins has received more than $7 million in grants, authored more than 140 scientific publications, and obtained three patents. He has given more than 180 invited lectures and symposia presentations throughout the U.S. and 13 foreign countries. He has trained 44 graduate students and postdoctorals, several of whom currently serve in important administrative and research positions at universities, research institutes and industries throughout the world. He has been a research consultant for four agricultural biotechnology companies, and has served on numerous research grant panels, including those of the USDA, NSF and NIH.

Outstanding Staff Award

Philip EvansPhilip Evans is a principal research specialist in the Department of Entomology. As a laboratory manager for William Bowers, he regularly develops innovative scientific methods and techniques in analytical and natural products chemistry. Through his efforts, the COA has one of the most advanced mass spectrometric instruments of its kind in the country for the micro-analysis of biologically active chemicals. Not only has Evans represented the college as an invited participant to present his work to national and international colloquia, he also serves as a consultant in analytical chemistry and co-investigator with numerous faculty through the university, and has contributed to many significant discoveries and 23 publications.

Evans assisted in the design of the Marley building, working to optimize the facilities for research and taking the lead to develop efficient safety procedures for laboratory personnel. He often provides tours of the Marley Laboratory research facilities, explaining ongoing entomological research to visiting scientists, teachers, alumni, faculty candidates and guests of the college. He took the initiative to create and maintain the award-winning Entomology Home Page, and he teaches an evening biology course at Pima Community College, where he encourages qualified students to continue their education at the university.

Outstanding Team Award

The Campus Agricultural Center Maintenance Crew - Dale Gorney, Dale Tenopir, Robert Gutierrez, Esperanza Torres, Dave Fausey, Bruce Steenson, David Linderman, Ken Pruitt, Dan NelsonThese individuals handle all the maintenance, repairs, construction and trucking for the Tucson Area Agricultural Centers. They are responsible for maintaining 200,000 square feet of building space, 80 miles of soft surface roads, and an enormous infrastructure including more than a hundred miles of fence, numerous utility lines, and miles of underground pipe for the Campus Agricultural Center, the Santa Rita Experimental Range, page Ranch, and the Pinal Air Park Range.

This team has demonstrated enormous flexibility in constantly shifting among their many roles as surveyors, designers, builders, emergency repairmen, preventative maintenance specialists, plumbers, truckers, roofers, heavy equipment operators, trainers, laborers, custodians, event hosts, electricians, heating/cooling technicians, painters, welders and fabrication specialists.

Their spirit of service extends out to the community during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday seasons with generous contributions to such programs as Children to Children, local relief organizations and Adopt-A-Family. They provide maintenance and repair support to the neighboring Children to Children facility after work.


Article written by Susan McGinley, ECAT, College of Agriculture
This is part of the 1997 Arizona Experiment Station Research Report
This document is located at http://ag.arizona.edu/pubs/general/resrpt1997/awards.html
Return to Index for 1997 report