U.S. and Canadian weed science societies recognized 38 outstanding contributors to weed science for exceptional 2024 achievements during recent annual meetings

The Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) and the Canadian Weed Science Society (CWSS) honored thirty-eight outstanding contributors to key weed science initiatives and advancements during recent annual meetings, held jointly during February in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Together, the two organizations recognized exceptional contributions from member scientists from a wide variety of geographies and weed-science related disciplines, such as herbicide resistance, invasive plants and endangered species. These contributions include substantial improvements to weed-science education, research, professional publications, program development, and services to WSSA, CWSS, and other professional organizations.

"Our outstanding WSSA member scientists are devoted to innovating through research and extension efforts," says Hilary Sandler, Ph.D., WSSA president. "Their dedication and successful work help to minimize or eliminate negative impacts caused by weeds that threaten to reduce crop yields. We are proud to honor these excellent scientists, many of whom are dedicated public servants, for their sustained commitment to promote and enhance the 'real-world impacts' of the discipline of weed science."

Robert Nurse, Ph.D., CWSS president added: "Congratulations to all award winners from the recent joint CWSS/WSSA conference! Your achievements are a testament to what drives the advancement of weed science research in North America and beyond. These awards not only recognize individual excellence but also highlight the collective effort that is needed to address the complex issues that face our discipline. Now is the perfect time to consider nominating a deserving member to receive an award at a future meeting."

The 2025 CWSS and WSSA award winners listed below represent individuals from academia, government, and private industry. Biographical sketches for many of them are available online.

WEED SCIENCE SOCIETY OF AMERICA (WSSA)

FELLOW AWARD (WSSA's highest honor)

Anita Dille, Ph.D., Kansas State University Professor
Ramon Leon, Ph.D., North Carolina State University Professor
OUTSTANDING EXTENSION AWARD

Peter Dotray, Ph.D., Texas Tech University, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
OUTSTANDING RESEARCH AWARD

Marty Williams, Ph.D., USDA Agricultural Research Service
OUTSTANDING GRADUATE STUDENT AWARD

Navdeep Godara, Ph.D. student, Virginia Tech University
JOHN JACHETTA UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH AWARD

Abigail Hurtgam, Ross Bodine, Fay Siringoringo, John M. Arnold, and Megumi Metcalfe
OUTSTANDING TEACHER AWARD

Mithila Jugulam, Ph.D., Director, Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center
OUTSTANDING EARLY CAREER WEED SCIENTIST

Eric Patterson, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Michigan State University
OUTSTANDING INDUSTRY AWARD

David Simpson, Ph.D., Global Biology Leader for Row Crop Herbicides and Pasture Land Management, Corteva
EXCELLENCE IN JOURNALISM AWARD

Bruce Barker, Western Field Editor, Top Crop Manager magazine
US-HRAC HERBICIDE RESISTANCE MANAGEMENT AWARDS

Jason Norsworthy, Ph.D., University of Arkansas Distinguished Professor
OUTSTANDING PAPER: INVASIVE PLANT SCIENCE AND MANAGEMENT

Marco Donoso, Lead Author
Hanna Leonard & David Gorchov, co-authors
OUTSTANDING PAPER: WEED SCIENCE

Eric Oseland, Ph.D., Lead Author
Mandy Bish, Robert Lerch & Kevin Bradle, co-authors
OUTSTANDING PAPER: WEED TECHNOLOGY

Eric Jones, Lead Author
Colden Bradshaw, Diego Contreras, Charles Calhoon, Katherin Jennings, Ramon Leon & Wesley Everman, co-authors
PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD

Janis McFarland, Ph.D., Syngenta Crop Protection - retired
OUTSTANDING ASSOCIATE EDITOR, WEED SCIENCE

Timothy Grey
OUTSTANDING ASSOCIATE EDITOR, WEED TECHNOLOGY

Jason Bond
OUTSTANDING ASSOCIATE EDITOR, IPSM

Stephen Enloe
HONORARY MEMBER

Chris Preston, Ph.D., Professor, University of Adelaide
CANADIAN WEED SCIENCE SOCIETY (CWSS)

FELLOW AWARD (CWSS's highest honor)

Nader Soltani, Ph.D., Adjunct Professor, University of Guelph
EXCELLENCE IN WEED SCIENCE AWARD

Marie-Josée Simard, Ph.D., Research Scientist, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
OUTSTANDING INDUSTRY AWARD

Chris Budd, M.Sc., BASF Senior Biologist
OUTSTANDING PAPER - CANADIAN JOURNAL OF PLANT SCIENCE

Eric Patterson, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Michigan State University
About the Weed Science Society of America

The Weed Science Society of America, a nonprofit scientific society, was founded in 1956 to encourage and promote the development of knowledge concerning weeds and their impact on the environment. The Society promotes research, education and extension outreach activities related to weeds, provides science-based information to the public and policy makers, fosters awareness of weeds and their impact on managed and natural ecosystems, and promotes cooperation among weed science organizations across the nation and around the world. For more information, visit www.wssa.net.

About the Canadian Weed Science Society

The Canadian Weed Science Society is a nonprofit society made up of professionals from university, government, and industry who specialize in research, teaching, extension, and regulation of weed related topics. Its vision is to deliver a world-class annual meeting, providing networking, recruitment opportunities, and scientific enrichment to all professionals and aspiring professionals working in weed science. For more information, visit https://weedscience.ca/.