Mary-Dell Chilton, a distinguished science fellow at Syngenta, was honored as an inductee into the USDA Hall of Heroes in Washington, D.C. with USDA secretary Tom Vilsack presiding. Established in September 2000, the USDA Hall of Heroes recognizes those that have had a lasting impact on agriculture and related programs.
Chilton’s work with plant biotechnology led her to produce the first transgenic plant in 1983 and demonstrated that plant genomes could be altered more precisely than previously thought. Her research at Syngenta has resulted in improving the ability of plants to resist insects and disease, tolerate extreme environmental conditions and deliver other traits that enhance the value of crops.
“Dr. Chilton’s research has forever changed the way we conduct plant research and her groundbreaking accomplishments have shaped the way genetic plant research is conducted today,” said Vilsack. “I am pleased to honor Dr. Mary-Dell Chilton for her leadership and tremendous contributions to the field of agriculture.”