BIO Opens Nominations for the 2010 George Washington Carver Award for Innovation in Industrial Biotechnology

I am pleased to announce that BIO is opening nominations to the third annual George Washington Carver Award which recognizes significant contributions by an individual to the field of industrial biotechnology, including applications in biological engineering, environmental science, biorefining and biobased products.  Nominees must be living individuals in the private sector, government or academia who have demonstrated significant and innovative accomplishments employing industrial biotechnology to advance a biobased economy and industrial sustainability. Nominations can be made online at http://bio.org/worldcongress/program/carver.asp until April 12, 2010.

The 2010 Award will be presented at the 2010 World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing, June 27-30, 2009 in Washington, D.C. An accompanying George Washington Carver scholarship to Iowa State University will be awarded in the name of the recipient.

This Award honors the original vision of George Washington Carver who, over a century ago, achieved world renown by using agriculture and science to produce everyday products, changing the nature of farm economics and ushering in the era of modern industrial biotechnology. His efforts inspire contemporary biotechnology companies that are developing new methods to use renewable agricultural resources to manufacture fuels, plastics, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and food ingredients, just as Carver did during the first half of the 20th century.

As Brent Erickson, executive vice president of BIO’s Industrial & Environmental Section, noted, “science has developed in ways that Carver may never have imagined, but the work remains true to his goal – a sustainable agricultural economy that includes production of useful everyday products.”

The 2009 George Washington Carver Award honored DuPont Chairman of the Board Charles O. Holliday, Jr., who was recognized for his commitment to industrial biotechnology as a tool for sustainable business growth. During Holliday’s tenure as CEO, DuPont invested in biology-based businesses and infused them with its chemistry know-how. For instance, DuPont partnered with sugar processor Tate & Lyle to manufacture 1,3 propanediol, a polyester ingredient made by fermenting sugar. That venture led the company to think about applying its fermentation expertise to making renewable fuels and chemicals in a biorefinery.

The 2008 Honoree was Dr. Patrick Gruber, CEO, Gevo, Inc., who was recognized for his accomplishments in creating and commercializing a new plastic made from annually renewable resources.

The annual World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing is the original and only conference dedicated solely to industrial biotechnology and the most recent advancements in the field. To learn more about the conference please visit www.bio.org/worldcongress.

And remember to nominate an innovator in industrial biotechnology for this recognition.