Danforth Center Principal Investigator honored for contributions to the advancement of science

Danforth Plant Science Center Principal Investigator Katie Murphy, PhD, has been selected to receive the Science Educator Award (Excellence in Science Education or Communication) by The Academy of Science - St. Louis at their 28th Annual Outstanding St. Louis Scientists Awards on April 8, 2026, at the Missouri Botanical Garden.

Murphy is the Director of the Phenotyping Core Facility at the Danforth Center where her team helps scientists identify the key traits that affect plant productivity and resilience to environmental stress. To do so, they monitor a plant's phenotype, such as leaf size and shape, root structure, growth rate, and more. Understanding how plants respond to their environment can help researchers and breeders develop more high-yielding, sustainable crops. She is highly regarded as an advocate and mentor to young scientists, particularly women. Murphy is also a skilled scientific communicator and has shared her research in The Washington Post, on TikTok, PBS, Story Collider Podcast, at the Missouri Botanical Garden Sach's Museum and more.

© Danforth Plant Science CenterKatie Murphy

Murphy hopes her outreach will inspire future generations of scientists. "I didn't know any female scientists growing up," she says, "so being able to put a face and role model to science for young people, especially young women, is important to me."

A celebration of science and innovation
The Outstanding St. Louis Scientists Awards Ceremony will bring together the region's scientific, academic, and business communities to celebrate the honorees' remarkable achievements. The event will also highlight the Academy's ongoing commitment to fostering science literacy and inspiring the next generation of innovators.

In addition to Murphy, The Academy will recognize six individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the advancement of science, engineering, and technology. More information about each of the honorees is available at the link here.

2026 award recipients
Peter H. Raven Lifetime Achievement Award (Career of Service in Science, Engineering, or Technology): Johannes Daniël (JD) Rossouw, Ph.D., Bayer – Dr. JD Rossouw is a global leader in agricultural science whose career has reshaped modern plant breeding strategies and advanced food security worldwide. From his early work as a Monsanto maize breeder in South Africa to his current position as Senior Vice President and Global Breeding Lead at Bayer, he has unified regional programs into global platforms that drive innovation, resilience, and impact. Rossouw's vision delivers life-changing solutions to farmers worldwide.

Science Leadership Award (Leadership in Advancing Science and Scientists): Bayer University Mentorship Program, Bayer and University of Missouri – Since 2017, the Bayer University Mentoring Program (B4U) has transformed how future scientists bridge academia and industry, establishing a scalable, unique model of scientific leadership. Launched in 2018 by Bayer Crop Science leaders Robert Gaeta, Ph.D., Huachun Larue, Ph.D., Thomas Slewinski, Ph.D., and Phil Taylor, Ph.D., in collaboration with David Braun, Ph.D. at the University of Missouri, the program addresses a long-standing gap in university students' education on industry careers.

Fellows Award (Outstanding Achievement in Science): Brianna White, Ph.D., Bayer – Vice President of Trait Design and Sciences at Bayer, Dr. White is a transformative scientific leader whose career bridges chemistry and plant biotechnology, delivering groundbreaking innovations that advance global agriculture.

Wesley Warren, Ph.D., University of Missouri – Curators' Professor of Genomics in the Division of Animal Sciences, Department of Surgery, and the Data Science and Informatics Institute at the University of Missouri, Dr. Wes Warren is a globally recognized leader in comparative genomics. Dr. Warren has spent over 30 years advancing our understanding of genome evolution and function through highly impactful research.

George Engelmann Interdisciplinary Award (Collaborative Science Achievement): Vasit Sagan, Ph.D., Saint Louis University/Taylor Geospatial Institute – Professor of Geospatial Science and Computer Science, Associate Vice President for Geospatial Science at Saint Louis University (SLU), and Chief Scientist for Food Security & Digital Agriculture with the Taylor Geospatial Institute (TGI), Dr. Vasit Sagan directs SLU's Remote Sensing Lab and previously served as the Founding/Acting Director of TGI, where he guided the consortium's launch and rapid growth into one of the nation's premier geospatial research institutes.

Catalyst Award for Early Career Excellence (Exceptional Potential in Science, Engineering, or Technology): Meredith Sigman, Ph.D., Bayer – Guided by a conviction that science can improve agricultural challenges, Meredith Sigman, Ph.D., has become a transformative force in plant biotechnology. As a Gene Expression Liaison at Bayer, she combines scientific expertise with communication and a clear vision for advancing global food security. As the incoming lead for Bayer's B4U Mentoring Program Talent and Development Pillar, Sigman also mentors early-career researchers as they refine skills, expand networks and turn discovery into real-world impact.