DATE: May 07, 2009
CONTACT:
Albert "Bert" Abbott, 864-656-3060
aalbert@clemson.edu
WRITER:
Peter Kent, 864-656-4355
pkent@clemson.edu
Top Clemson agriculture research award goes to geneticist
CLEMSON — Internationally noted geneticist Albert G. Abbott has received Clemson University's highest agricultural honor: the Godley-Snell Award for Excellence in Agricultural Research.
The 2009 recipient holds the Robert and Lois Coker Trustees Chair in Molecular Genetics and is a professor in the genetics and biochemistry department. Abbott is the 23rd faculty member recognized for agricultural research excellence and for making outstanding contributions toward improving the lives of South Carolinians.
Abbott’s research, teaching and leadership significantly contributed to Clemson being internationally recognized for its studies in the Rosaceae family of fruits, particularly peaches. Other members of this family include plums, apricots, nectarines, cherries, apples, almonds and strawberries.
South Carolina is the second-largest producer of peaches in the nation behind California. The peach is South Carolina’s state fruit and the peach industry generates approximately $40 million for the state’s economy.
“Dr. Abbott’s contributions to the fields of genomics and genetics in general and specifically in the genomic analysis of many tree species are nonpareil,” said Keith Murphy, chairman of genetics and biochemistry. “His ability to make a facile transition between genetics and genomics is unrivaled at Clemson. He has made seminal contributions to the scientific enterprise, and his work on fruit tree genomics has put the university on the map more than any other single agricultural-based research activity.”
Since his arrival at Clemson University in 1984, Abbott has been a productive investigator. With more than 37 grants awarded, Abbott has been awarded more than $4 million in outside funding.
The results of Abbott’s research have appeared in more than 45 professional journal articles and invited papers since 2000 and led to his authoring four book chapters and co-editing three books. Abbott was recognized as the 2005 Sigma Xi Researcher of the Year by the Clemson chapter of that organization.
Abbott is part of a Clemson research team studying the potential health-improving antioxidants in peaches. Antioxidants help the body resist the effects of aging and disease.
“Consumers are becoming much more aware of the health benefits associated with varieties optimized for nutritional value,” Abbott said. “The stone fruit industry in South Carolina and the nation faces many significant challenges. These varieties will help growers gain a competitive edge in the marketplace. Data generated by this work will provide markers and genes that can be used in breeding programs to improve stone fruits. The knowledge gained will be directly applicable to other fruit species as well.”
“Dr. Abbott's contributions to tree genomics does not stop with fruit trees, said Alan Sams, dean of the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences. “He is expanding the impact of his research to other trees and plants for uses like biofuels. He is likewise contributing through his mentorship of other faculty and team-building attitude.”
Abbott is involved in setting up Clemson programs in biotechnology, ranging from biofuels to artificial spider silk. He is seeking funds for research on using biochemical waste products to grow microbes genetically engineered for producing biofuels and medicine. Biotechnology holds tremendous promise for a new generation of jobs and economic growth in South Carolina and throughout the nation.
As a teacher and mentor, Abbott will leave a living legacy. He has served as adviser for 11 master's and 10 Ph.D. students, supervisor for eight post-doctoral researchers and host for 13 visiting scholars. Additionally, he has overseen research training for more than 57 Clemson undergraduates.
The Godley-Snell Award is named in honor of the late W. Cecil Godley, former director of the South Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station, and Absalom W. Snell, former associate director.
It is the largest annual agricultural research award given at the university and is allocated from earnings of a fund that was established in 1986 upon Godley’s retirement and increased in 1988 when Snell retired. The purpose of the fund is to stimulate excellence in agricultural research by making a personal award to faculty members involved in research through the Experiment Station.
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