Doctoral candidate Thomas Koch has received the first Gabelman-Seminis Wisconsin Distinguished Graduate Fellowship, which awards top students in the field of plant breeding and genetics.

The fellowship was established in the name of renowned Wisconsin plant researcher Buck Gabelman and Seminis Inc., the world's largest developer, producer and marketer of vegetable and fruit seeds. The research stipend is funded through an endowment at the University of Wisconsin-Madison with matching funds provided by Seminis and the University of Wisconsin Graduate School.

Dr. Irwin Goldman, Chair of the Plant Breeding and Plant Genetics Program at UW-Madison, said that Koch was chosen from a number of candidates for his strong leadership skills and his academic success in the field.

"Tom has a very strong commitment to field-oriented plant breeding. His farm background and interest in whole-plant work are certainly part of the reason he was chosen for this fellowship. He represents the best our program has to offer," he said. Koch will use the fellowship to continue his research on boosting levels of Vitamin E in carrots.

Dr. Goldman also acknowledged Seminis for funding the fellowship: "This gift from Seminis makes it possible for us to continue a very strong tradition of applied plant breeding and genetics that began with Buck Gabelman's arrival in Madison in 1949," Dr. Goldman said.

Dr. Ed Green, Senior Vice President of Research and Development at Seminis, said that the plant breeding and genetics program at the University of Wisconsin is one of the best in the United States, and that Seminis looks forward to continuing its support of the university.

"It's very rewarding to see such a motivated group of researchers rise up through the university system at Madison, and elsewhere. By supporting academic study, we can help ensure that the field of plant breeding will always have the human talent needed to make new discoveries," said Dr. Green, whose career spans both private industry and academic research.

The Gabelman-Seminis Fellowship will be awarded annually to a University of Wisconsin graduate student in the field of plant breeding or plant genetics. Recipients are selected by the department chair based on the recommendations of professors and distinguished academic leaders.

Seminis has established a worldwide presence and global distribution network that spans 150 countries and territories. Its products are designed to reduce the need for agricultural chemicals, increase crop yield, reduce spoilage, offer longer shelf life, create better tasting foods and foods with better nutritional content.