October 2003 • Volume 37 • Number 10

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APS’s 95th Annual Meeting a Great Success in Charlotte, North Carolina

APS held a very successful annual meeting at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, NC, August 9–13, 2003. More than 1,500 plant pathologists and other professionals attended, including participants from 36 countries.

The meeting theme, “Plant Health and Security in the Age of Genomics,” chosen by APS President Jacque Fletcher, was highlighted during the plenary session, with presentations by President Fletcher and four speakers who provided perspectives on the history of plant pathogens as biowarfare agents; law enforcement and national security approaches to biosecurity; the utility of genomics in biosecurity and epidemiology; and applications of genomics to plant health. The overall meeting program featured more than 1,100 scientific presentations, including the plenary session, 33 symposia, 4 hot topic sessions, 134 contributed oral papers, 581 contributed posters, 2 discussion sessions, 1 town meeting, 3 workshops, and 4 field trips/tours. Program chair Gary Bergstrom worked with section chairs and session organizers to ensure a balanced, timely, and in-depth scientific program covering the broad range of member interests. The Scientific Programs Board played a proactive role in 2003 by fostering the organization of four hot topic sessions, including one on “Science and the Legal System: When Worlds Collide.”

APS PRESS and 32 companies had displays in the exhibit hall that allowed meeting participants to view the latest in plant health publications, products, and services. The new APS Central area featured the work of the various APS offices and boards and for the first time provided online access to the APS Placement Service and an onsite APS Officer nomination process. In addition, many attendees appreciated the opportunity to check their e-mail at complimentary computer stations and to experiment with APS Interactive, a new online service for APS members.

Five graduate students received support from the APS Foundation to present their research findings during the 4th I.E. Melhus Symposium titled, “Novel Approaches to Minimizing the Global Impact of Mycotoxins.” Sixteen additional graduate student presenters were recipients of named APS Foundation travel awards that supported their participation in the meeting. There were also two international travel award recipients.

The Awards and Honors Ceremony recognized the extraordinary contributions of several APS members to plant pathology and APS. Attendees at the Member Breakfast and Business Meeting learned about new APS initiatives and some of the activities of the many dedicated volunteers and staff.

Meeting attendees were not only immersed in the scientific content, but also enjoyed numerous opportunities to network and socialize with others. The Welcome Reception featured the musical talents of several APS members organized and led by Albert Culbreath and Chris Mundt. If you weren’t there, you missed some memorable, foot-stomping country music and lively line dancing. The deBary Bowl again featured competing teams from APS Council and the APS Divisions. The Potomac Division was the 2003 winner! The Industry-Extension Social was held at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, where participants enjoyed excellent southern barbeque and were introduced to the NASCAR
experience.

There were several “firsts” at the Charlotte meeting. The poster experience was enhanced for many by having all the posters on display for the duration of the meeting and by scheduling visitation with poster authors from noon to 2 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, with concession stands nearby and few competing sessions. More than half of the presented posters were captured on a CD-Rom (for sale through APS PRESS), a product that will allow further review and broader distribution of poster information. APS also promoted single-day special programs for new audiences, with a concentration of sessions of interest to private practitioners on Monday and industry, regulatory, and extension professionals on Tuesday. Continuing education credits through multiple professional certification programs also were offered for the first time to session attendees at Charlotte.

Heartfelt thanks are extended to the many volunteers and staff who worked hard to plan and deliver an outstanding APS meeting in Charlotte in August 2003. APS continues to be a vibrant and relevant professional society because its members are actively involved and its capable staff is productively engaged as partners in providing programs, products, and services of value to the members!

Call for Nominations for APS Awards

The call is now being made for APS and APS-sponsored award nominations for the 2004 APS Annual Meeting. Nominators are referred to the following guidelines.

Nominations for the Award of Distinction, Fellow, Excellence in Extension, Excellence in Teaching, Excellence in Industry, International Service, Ruth Allen, Lee M. Hutchins, William Boright Hewitt and Maybelle Ellen Ball Hewitt, Noel T. Keen Award for Research Excellence in Molecular Plant Pathology, and the Syngenta awards must be postmarked on or before January 15, 2004, according to the following procedures. Names of previous awardees can be found at http://www.apsnet.org/members/awards/list.asp.

The committee receives 30 or more nominations for Fellow each year. If too few nominations for other awards are received in one year, the committee may decide not to make the award that year. With the exception of the Lee M. Hutchins Award, all nominations for the awards listed above are considered for three years; however, an update of the packages yearly with pertinent material in support of a nomination is recommended. Nominations for the Lee M. Hutchins Award will stand for only one year. Additionally, for Fellow nominations, it is suggested that there be a gap of about three years between the last consideration of a nomination and any renomination. Deceased members are not eligible for the Fellow Award if they died before nomination.

General Instructions
Each active member of the society may nominate one candidate a year for each of the above awards. Unless stated otherwise below, the nomination package should include:

1) A letter of nomination highlighting the contributions of the candidate. The letter of nomination is very important. It should be focused, succinct, and document the relevancy and impact of the candidate’s contributions to the advancement of science and plant pathology. This letter should also include the candidate’s name, position, and affiliation and should not exceed two single-spaced pages.

2) A complete list of publications and curriculum vitae not to exceed two pages. The list should be separated into the following categories: A) publications in refereed journals; B) technical publications not in refereed journals (i.e., reports, symposium papers); C) books, reviews, and book chapters; and D) popular publications. Other items that might be included, where appropriate, include honors and awards and invited presentations.

3) An accurate, up-to-date biographical sketch of the nominee (not to exceed 1,000 words). It may occur that an individual will be nominated more than once. This is acceptable, but multiple letters of support should not be provided. Copies of all material should be sent directly to each member of the Awards and Honors Committee (listed at the end of this article).

All nominations for year 2004 must be postmarked on or before January 15, 2004. The time schedule for selecting 2004 awardees does not allow committee members time to do independent research on candidates or to search out important biographical data omitted in the nomination documents. It, therefore, is essential that the nomination documents be complete and accurate, providing critical and specific analyses of the nominee’s contributions and personal history. The committee members use this information in drafting the biographical account used at the award ceremony.

APS Awards
Fellow—The society grants this honor to a current APS member in recognition of distinguished contributions to plant pathology or to the American Phytopathological Society. Anyone who has been a member of the society for at least three years immediately before nomination, except for retired persons who were members for the last three years before retirement, is eligible.

To keep the APS Fellow Award truly meaningful, annual election of nominees is limited to approximately 0.25% of the active membership—currently 9 or 10 Fellows per year. Using the same stringent guidelines as for active members, Fellows may be elected from among emeritus members in addition to the 0.25% quota.

Since APS first granted awards in 1965, 400 Fellows have been elected. A list of those honored in past years is listed at http://www.apsnet.org/members/awards/fellow.asp.

In recent years, the Awards and Honors Committee has observed that nominations for the Fellow award are often incomplete and difficult to evaluate. The following suggestions on format are presented in an effort to promote consistency, ensure fairness, and facilitate committee deliberations.

Fellow awards are based on significant contributions in one or more of the following areas: original research, teaching, administration, professional and public service, and extension and outreach. It is important to clearly indicate in the nomination statement which of these major categories serves as the basis for the nomination. Each area should be addressed individually, and the nomination should include, but not necessarily be limited to,
Original research—Identification of major research contributions and a description of the significance and impact of the work. Indicate key publications. (It is not necessary to send copies of the publications. See the General Instructions above for information on how to list publications.)
Teaching—Evidence of excellence in teaching (e.g., student and peer evaluations, awards, or other types of recognition) and a description of significant teaching activities. A list of courses taught should be included with the nomination.
Extension and outreach—Identification of extension programs and activities and a description of their significance and impact, a listing of key extension publications, and any available information on their acceptance and use by consumers.
Administration—Chronological listing of administration assignments, identification of significant accomplishments.
Professional and public service—Evidence of service to APS and other scientific societies (offices held, committee appointments, editorial activities), identification of service to their organization, institution, or community.

Award of Distinction—This award, the highest honor the society can bestow, is presented on rare occasions to persons who have made truly exceptional contributions to plant pathology. Nominations for this award can be submitted by any member of the society. The nominations format should be as described in the General Instructions above. Nominees for the Award of Distinction need not be members of the society.

Excellence in Teaching Award—This award recognizes excellence in teaching plant pathology. Preference will be given to active teachers with responsibility for one or more courses in plant pathology. The major criterion will be formal (classroom) teaching proficiency, as indicated by the development and effectiveness of courses taught. Note of research and other activities supportive of teaching should be included in the nomination. Nomination format should be as described in the General Instructions above. Other supporting material should include a brief description of courses taught and indicators, including students’ opinions, of teaching effectiveness. Recipients of the Fellow Award will not be considered for the Excellence in Teaching Award.

Excellence in Extension Award—This award recognizes excellence in extension plant pathology. Nominees must have some portion of their appointment in extension. Nominees should be individuals who have made outstanding contributions by creating, developing, or implementing extension-related programs or materials or have provided significant leadership in an area of extension plant pathology. Supporting information could include descriptions of significant clientele educational programs; development of information transfer materials, such as bulletins, fact sheets, books, newspaper and magazine articles, computer software and networks, videotapes, radio and television programs, and interactive video conferences; and evidence of leadership in local, regional, or national extension programs or professional organizations. Specific examples of the creativity and impact of the nominee’s programs should be emphasized. Note of research, teaching, public policy education, and other activities supportive of extension should be included in the nomination. The nomination format should be as described in the General Instructions above. Recipients of the Fellow Award will not be considered for the Excellence in Extension Award.

Excellence in Industry Award—The Excellence in Industry Award recognizes outstanding contributions to plant pathology by APS members whose primary employment involves work outside the university and federal realms, either for profit or nonprofit. Individuals eligible for the award include those in positions such as plant pathology research and development specialists, private consultants, group managers within private companies, and others.

Nominees should be individuals who have made outstanding contributions to plant pathology through their employment in industry. Supporting information could include general descriptions of new discoveries that have advanced the technological development of plant pathology, publications, patents, novel information delivery programs for clientele, unique clean-stock programs for industry, effective coordination of development programs for new chemicals and biocontrol agents, and demonstrated leadership of a nonprofit organization with a focus toward plant pathology. Nominees must be APS members employed primarily in nonacademic or nongovernment service. The nomination format should be as described in the General Instructions above. Recipients of the Fellow Award will not be considered for the Excellence in Industry Award.

International Service Award—The International Service Award recognizes outstanding contributions to plant pathology by APS members for a country other than their own. Individuals eligible for the award would include those whose position in their home country has afforded them the opportunity to participate in the development of plant pathology in another country. Contributions may have been made through collaborative projects, sabbaticals, short- and long-term assignments with educational or governmental agencies, including, but not limited to, international centers and research institutes. Nominees should be individuals who have made outstanding contributions to plant pathology for a country other than their own. Supporting information could include descriptions of plant pathology programs that have been established, collaborative efforts with scientists in the host country, publications resulting from work done in the host country, and effective coordination of educational programs for universities or government agencies. This award carries with it a cash prize to the recipient, of which a portion is designated to the international program of the recipient’s choice. Funds for this prize are derived from the JANE Fund (John and Ann Niederhauser Endowment). The nominations format should be as described in the General Instructions above. Recipients of the Fellow Award will not be considered for the International Service Award.

Ruth Allen Award—Nominees for the Ruth Allen Award should be individuals who have made an outstanding, innovative contribution to research that has changed, or has the potential to change, the direction of research in any field of plant pathology. The nomination format should be as described in the General Instructions above. Reprints of no more than five key papers should be included. This is the only award for which reprints are requested. Recipients of the Ruth Allen Award receive a certificate and a cash prize derived from a fund established by the heirs of Dr. Allen. Nominees for this award need not be members of the society.

Lee M. Hutchins Award—This is an award to the author or authors of published research on basic or applied aspects of diseases of perennial fruit plants (tree fruits, tree nuts, and small fruits and grapes, including tropical fruits, but excluding vegetables). A nomination must be based principally or completely on a paper or series of papers published in APS journals within the three calendar years preceding the annual meeting of the Awards and Honors Committee in early February. Earlier papers in APS journals should be cited in the nomination only if they were the foundation of subsequent work during the three-year period or if the work during the three-year period involved a logical extension and application of earlier research. Nominated paper(s) may report research on any aspect of disease diagnosis, epidemiology, etiology, physiology, vector relations, control, or properties of the etiologic agent. The committee would be influenced by the significance of the research reported and how it provides a better understanding of fruit plant diseases and contributes ultimate value to the fruit industry. Nominations should include a one-paragraph biographical sketch of each nominee (place of birth, age, education, employment history, and principal professional interest), copies of publications from the three-year period covered by the nomination (inclusion of copies of earlier publications is discouraged), and a 1- to 2-page citation specifically describing the contributions of the nominee. Authors nominated need not be members of the society. The award consists of a certificate and the annual income of the Lee M. Hutchins Fund bequeathed to the society by Dr. Hutchins.

William Boright Hewitt and Maybelle Ellen Ball Hewitt Award—Established in 2001, this award recognizes a young scientist who has made an outstanding, innovative contribution directed toward the control of plant disease. To be considered, the nominee must have received a Ph.D. degree or completed postdoctoral training no more than five years prior to nomination and be a member of the American Phytopathological Society. Contributions that include research or activities performed for a graduate degree will not be considered. Supporting information should include a detailed description of innovative research or extension programs. Recipients will receive a certificate and a cash prize derived from funds bequeathed to the society by the Hewitt estate. Nominations will stand for one year, and the nomination format should be as described in the General Instructions above.

Noel T. Keen Award for Research Excellence in Molecular Plant PathologyEstablished in 2002, this award is for individuals who have made outstanding contributions in molecular aspects of host–pathogen interactions or molecular biology of plant disease. The nomination format should be as described in the General Instructions above. Recipients of the Noel T. Keen Award for Research Excellence in Molecular Plant Pathology receive a certificate and a cash prize derived from a fund established through the APS Foundation.

Distinguished Service Award—The Distinguished Service Award honors individuals who have provided sustained, outstanding leadership to the society, while also furthering the science of plant pathology. This award is only presented upon recommendation of APS Council.

APS-Sponsored Award
Syngenta Award—This award is given by Syngenta Corporation to an APS member for an outstanding recent contribution to teaching, research, or extension in plant pathology. The award consists of a certificate and an expense-paid trip to Basel, Switzerland. Nominations should be made as described in the General Instructions above. Priority for this award is given to young members of APS who are in the first decade of their career in plant pathology.

APS-Sponsored Nominations
In addition to awards given by APS, the committee solicits nominations of individuals to be sponsored by APS for awards given by other agencies during 2003. For such awards, the committee recommends nominees to the APS Council. When the council approves the nominees, the committee appoints a nominator who prepares the required documentation, and the nominations are forwarded to the appropriate agency by the president of APS. These awards are as follows:

National Medal of Science—This medal is awarded annually by the president of the United States for outstanding contributions to knowledge in the biological, physical, mathematical, or engineering sciences. More than one individual may be nominated in a given year. All nominees are considered for a period of five years.

Alexander von Humboldt Award—This annual award includes a cash prize of $10,000 for the most significant contribution to American agriculture made or recognized during the previous three years. A national committee selects recipients. APS may sponsor more than one nominee.

Alan T. Waterman Award—Each year, the National Science Foundation recognizes the work of an outstanding research scientist (generally under age 40) in any field of science or engineering by awarding a medal and research grant, not to exceed $50,000 per year, for three years of scientific research or advanced study.

Closing Date
Each member of the Awards and Honors Committee must receive nominations and all supporting information postmarked on or before January 15, 2004. Please submit all supporting materials as a whole. Additional endorsements received separately will not be considered. The nominator should send a typewritten copy of the material directly to each of the following. E-mail nominations will not be accepted.

Mary Powelson, Chair
Oregon State University
Botany & Plant Pathology Department
2082 Cordley Hall
Corvallis, OR 97331-2902

Tim R. Gottwald, Vice Chair
USDA ARS
U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory
2001 South Rock Rd.
Ft. Pierce, FL 34945-3030

Larry Dunkle, Immediate Past Chair
USDA ARS
Purdue University
Botany & Plant Pathology Department Lilly Hall
West Lafayette, IN 47907

Randall C. Rowe
Ohio State University
OARDC – Plant Pathology Department
1680 Madison Ave.
Wooster, OH 44691-4096

Said A. Ghabrial
University of Kentucky
Plant Pathology Department
201F Plant Science Bldg.
1495 Veterans Drive
Lexington, KY 40546-0091

Margaret E. Daub
North Carolina State University
Botany Department
2214 Gardner Hall – Box 7612
Raleigh, NC 27695-7612

Linda S. Thomashow
Washington State University
Plant Pathology Department
USDA ARS
Pullman, WA 99164-6430
 

 
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