Do You Know a Game-Changer in the Bioeconomy? Nominations for BIO’s Prestigious Innovation Awards Open Today

The Biotechnology Innovation Organization today announced the opening of nominations for two awards to honor significant leaders driving cutting-edge, sustainable breakthroughs in the fields of agriculture and the environment. BIO will accept nominations until 5:00 p.m., Friday, June 24, 2022.

The George Washington Carver Award recognizes individuals who have advanced biotech innovation to make supply chains greener and have worked successfully toward that goal in the private sector, government or academia. Those submitting nominations should single out individuals who have demonstrated significant and innovative accomplishments within the industry to advance a biobased economy and industrial sustainability.

Named for celebrated agricultural scientist George Washington Carver, whose discoveries improved the lives of farmers and the health of American soils, the award pays tribute to those who are building on Carver’s legacy.

“Just as George Washington Carver’s vision and achievements transformed agriculture and addressed the soil conservation challenges of his day, today’s scientists are applying the tools of biotechnology to help farmers and manufacturers of biobased products be the problem solvers our world needs now, to ensure we can meet our food and resource demands sustainably,” said BIO President Michelle McMurry-Heath.

The Rosalind Franklin Award is presented to a pioneering woman in the agricultural and environmental biotechnology sectors. The award recognizes women who are leading today’s innovations in agriculture, food systems, sustainable energy and biobased manufacturing.

Rosalind Franklin is renowned for her work to map the molecular structure of DNA in the 1950s, a time when women did not have as many opportunities as men to enter science and research or to be credited for their contributions to the field.

“We still have work to do to improve gender equality in science careers and research,” said McMurry-Heath. “That’s why we at BIO are proud to honor women whose work is expanding knowledge and applications of biotechnology, as well as setting an example for young women with an interest in agricultural and environmental biotech.”

A selection committee will review the nominations. BIO will announce the award winners in late July 2022, and the recipients will accept the awards in person at IMPACT, BIO’s Ag & Environment Conference, Sept. 19 – 21, 2022, in Omaha, Neb.

To view the George Washington Carver Award nomination form, click here. To view the Rosalind Franklin Award nomination form, click here. For a list of past winners of both awards, click here.