Alexandria, Virginia
December 22, 2006

Source: American Seed Trade Association e-News

Dr. Jerry Miller received the Genetics and Plant Breeding Award at the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) meeting held in Chicago, Illinois, December 6-8.

Dr. Miller is a Research Geneticist in the Sunflower Research Unit, USDA Agricultural Research Service, in Fargo, N.D.

Miller was cited for his many contributions to sunflower improvement during his 31- year career with the USDA. His achievements include a key role in the successful conversion by the U.S. sunflower industry from a highly polyunsaturated sunflower oil to a highly monounsaturated oil called NuSun(TM). Miller was also recognized for his development and release of the first herbicide- resistant sunflower germplasm, and for numerous sunflower lines with enhanced disease resistance.

The award, sponsored by the National Council of Commercial Plant Breeders (NCCPB), honors a plant breeder who has made outstanding basic contributions to the advancement of plant breeding and genetics in the public sector.