May 1, 2026
Here are the Crop Bioengineering Center members and co-director who are receiving a 2026 university award.
- Shan Jiang, associate professor, materials science and engineering
Award for Achievement in Intellectual Property - recognizes individuals or teams of faculty and professional and scientific staff for outstanding university-based achievements in developing patentable discoveries.
- Dipali Sashital, Roy J. Carver Professor of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
Award for Mid-Career Achievement in Research - Recognizes a tenured or tenure-track faculty member who has demonstrated outstanding accomplishments in research or creative activity at the mid-career stage as evaluated by peers and experts in their field.
- Kan Wang, Charles F. Curtiss Distinguished Professor in Agriculture and Life Sciences (agronomy); Global Professorship in Biotechnology
Margaret Ellen White Graduate Faculty Award - Established by a longtime staff member of the Graduate College, the award recognizes a member of the graduate faculty who has demonstrated exceptional mentorship and measurable impact on graduate students, both during their time at Iowa State and beyond graduation. Recipients are selected by members of the Graduate and Professional Student Senate.
- Yanhai Yin, professor and department chair, genetics, development and cell biology
Award for Departmental Leadership - Recognizes a department chair or school director who has demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities in advancing the faculty, staff, students and programs in their department or school.
- Jianming Yu, Pioneer Hi-Bred Distinguished Chair in Maize Breeding; director, Raymond F. Baker Center for Plant Breeding; professor, agronomy
Distinguished Professor - The title is Iowa State's highest academic honor. It recognizes a faculty member whose accomplishments in research or creative activities have had a significant impact on their discipline nationally or internationally and who has demonstrated outstanding performance in at least one other area of faculty responsibility (teaching/advising, extension/professional practice or institutional service). The awardee retains the title for the remainder of their career at the university.
Congratulations!