By Andi Anderson
Patrick "Pat" Schnable, C.F. Curtiss Distinguished Professor and Iowa Corn Endowed Chair of Genetics in the Department of Agronomy at Iowa State University, has been selected to receive the prestigious 2027 Barbara McClintock Prize for Plant Genetics and Genome Studies.
The award honors scientists whose research has made exceptional contributions to plant genetics and genomics.
The recognition highlights Schnable’s decades of leadership and discovery in maize genetics, crop improvement, and genome research. Throughout his career, he has helped advance scientific understanding of how plant genomes function and respond to environmental conditions, creating new opportunities for agricultural innovation.
According to Glen Ritchie, Chair of Iowa State University's Department of Agronomy, "Dr. Schnable’s pioneering contributions to maize breeding, genetics and genomics build on the legacy of Dr. McClintock, and we are proud to see his achievements recognized with the McClintock Prize for Plant Genetics and Genome Studies."
Schnable's work spans traditional maize genetics and modern genomic science. His accomplishments include cloning genes that restore fertility in male sterile maize, co-leading the sequencing of the maize genome, and helping identify extensive gene content variation within maize. His research has also improved understanding of the genetic factors that influence how crops respond to their environment.
The award committee praised Schnable's role in maize genome sequencing, describing it as "a technical and analytical feat that laid the groundwork for much subsequent work." These achievements have provided valuable tools and knowledge for researchers, plant breeders, and agricultural professionals worldwide.
Jianming Yu, Director of the Raymond F. Baker Center for Plant Breeding, highlighted Schnable's leadership and collaborative approach to science. Yu stated, "Besides being a top scientist, Pat Schnable is a visionary leader who constantly thinks about how to address challenging problems through interdisciplinary collaboration." He also noted Schnable's efforts to bring together biologists, engineers, and data scientists for productive scientific discussions and research exchanges.
Additional praise came from Edward Buckler, Research Geneticist with the Senior Scientific Research Service at the USDA Agricultural Research Service, who said, "Pat Schnable has transformed our understanding of how maize genomes change and function, from transposons to presence-absence variation to the maize genome sequence itself."
Beyond research, Schnable has played a major role in developing future scientific leaders. Over his career, he has trained 51 graduate students and 17 postdoctoral researchers who now serve in universities, research institutions, and agricultural industries around the world.
The McClintock Prize and medal will be formally presented during the 2027 Maize Genetics Meeting in Chicago, scheduled for March 11-14, 2027. Schnable will also deliver a plenary address to an international audience of scientists and industry professionals. The honor recognizes not only his groundbreaking discoveries in plant genetics but also his lasting impact on agricultural research, education, and innovation.
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Categories: Iowa, Crops, Corn