Biotech Updates

Hake is ARS Distinguished Senior Research Scientist Awardee

June 17, 2011

Sarah Hake, director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) has been awarded the Distinguished Senior Research Scientist of 2010 by ARS. Her work on plant developmental genetics "have broadened our understanding of basic plant biology and helped address the challenges associated with producing enough food in a world where the climate is changing and populations are on the rise," said Edward Knipling, ARS administrator.

Hake's work has improved agricultural production by shedding light on how plants develop. ARS says she was the first scientist to clone a developmental gene by using a transposable element or "jumping gene" as a starting point. The gene functions as a master regulator of multiple pathways. Through her initiative, a body of knowledge on leaf and flower development in corn has been developed.

News provided by ARS News Service at NewsService@ars.usda.gov.