Dr. John Thorne, development director for self-pollinating crops at Syngenta Seeds, received the Genetics & Plant Breeding Award for Industry from the National Council of Commercial Plant Breeders (NCCPB). The award was presented Nov. 2 at the Crop Science Society of America (CSSA) Award Program during the group's Annual Meeting in Seattle.

The NCCPB Genetics & Plant Breeding Award for Industry recognizes scientists who have made significant contributions to plant science through basic, applied or developmental research during their careers.

Dr. Thorne has worked with soybean, wheat, tobacco and cotton breeding programs for NK® Brand Seeds. He began as a soybean breeder at the initiation of the company's program in 1969, and has played a key role in the growth of the NK Brand Seeds proprietary soybean breeding program's growth from a single research station to multiple stations in both North and South America. He currently leads the NK Brand Soybean Breeding Program and works with the breeders at five North American locations in program planning.

Through Dr. Thorne's leadership, the NK Brand soybean development group has successfully produced over 300 proprietary soybean varieties and received approximately 125 Plant Variety Protection (PVP) certificates.

Backed by 35 years of research, the NK Brand proprietary soybean breeding program produces a continuous pipeline of unique genetics. New soybean varieties undergo rigorous disease screening to ensure that they are consistently top performing. Additionally, operating facilities in Hawaii, Florida and Puerto Rico allows quality products to be available to growers faster.

Dr. Thorne received his bachelor's degree in biology from Augustana College in Rock Island, Ill. He went on to earn his master's and doctorate degrees from Iowa State University in plant breeding and genetics.

Syngenta is a world-leading agribusiness committed to sustainable agriculture through innovative research and technology. The company is a leader in crop protection, and ranks third in the high-value commercial seeds market. Sales in 2003 were approximately $6.6 billion. Syngenta employs some 19,000 people in over 90 countries. Syngenta is listed on the Swiss stock exchange (SYNN) and in New York (SYT).