Maize Genetics Community Awards

About
We have a vibrant community of researchers that study maize genetics and genomics. This community includes many exceptional individuals that are deserving of recognition. The MGC and MGAC wishes to recognize researchers at the early, mid, and late-career stages that have made significant contributions to our understanding of maize genetics and to our community. Each year, we plan to recognize a winner of the M. Rhoades Early-Career Maize Genetics, L. Stadler Mid-Career Maize Genetics, and R. Emerson Lifetime awards at the annual Maize Genetics Conference. The Cooperator and Leadership Awards recognize members of our community who have made significant contributions in service to the community (Cooperator) and mentorship, education, outreach, or community leadership (Leadership).
Click here to submit a nomination ▶
Cooperator Award

2026 Winner:

Kan Wang

The Maize Genetics Cooperator Award recognizes maize cooperators who have dedicated their careers to service by supporting community resources, organizing collaborative efforts, or enabling maize research.

To be eligible, a cooperator must have shown dedication to service that has led to broad impact or advanced the spirit of cooperation within the community; AND has been an active member of the maize genetics community for at least ten years
See past Cooperator Award winners ▶
R. Emerson Lifetime Award

2026 Winners:

The R. Emerson Lifetime Maize Genetics Award recognizes individuals for their extraordinary lifetime achievements in maize genetics. Recipients of this award shall be leaders in the maize community who have made seminal contributions to our understanding of maize genetics. The nominee should have held a permanent position for over 20 years and an active member of the maize genetics community.
See past Emerson Award winners ▶
The McClintock Prize
The Barbara McClintock Prize for Plant Genetics and Genome Studies is the most prestigious award from the MGC created to memorialize the unequalled contributions of Dr. McClintock through providing recognition to the most outstanding plant geneticists (within or outside the maize community) of the present era.
McClintock Prize Homepage ▶
Leadership Award

2026 Winner:

Thomas Slewinski

The Maize Genetics Leadership Award recognizes maize cooperators who have inspired the lives and careers of other maize researchers through mentorship, leadership, outreach, and education. Special consideration will be given to the candidates who have shown a strong impact in the areas of inclusion, diversity, and equity.

To be eligible, a cooperator needs to have done outstanding work in the areas of mentorship, education, outreach, or community leadership in areas of inclusion, diversity, and equity; AND has been an active member of the maize genetics community for at least five years.
See past Leadership Award winners ▶
L. Stadler Mid-Career Award

2026 Winner:

Candy Hirsch

The L. Stadler Mid-Career Maize Genetics Award will be given to an individual that has been in a permanent position for 9-20 years. The winner will have an outstanding track record of discovery research in maize (or related species) genetics.
See past Mid-Career Award winners ▶
Committee

Awards & Nominations Committee:

  • Elizabeth "Toby" Kellogg (Chair) - 2027
  • Matt Hufford - 2026
  • Carolyn Rasmussen - 2026
  • Natalia de Leon - 2027
  • Thomas Dresselhaus - 2027
  • Devin O'Connor - 2027
  • Tiffany Jamann - 2028
  • Jinsheng Lai - 2028
  • Ruth Wagner - 2028
  • Andrea Eveland (ex-officio)
Awards Nomination Committee page ▶
M. Rhoades Early-Career Award

2026 Winner:

Addie Thompson

The M. Rhoades Early-Career Maize Genetics Award will be given to an individual that has been in a permanent position within the past 8 years. It is expected that the awardee will have made significant research contributions through genetic studies of maize or related species.
See past Early-Career Award winners ▶