Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
January 8, 2016
The National Cotton Council and its partners have named Dr. Darrin Dodds, associate Extension professor for Mississippi State University, the Dr. J. Tom Cothren Outstanding Young Cotton Physiologist. The announcement was made during the Beltwide Cotton Conferences in New Orleans this week.
PhytoGen has been the sponsor since the inception of the award. Dodds will receive a $1,000 award from Dow AgroSciences.
Dodds was nominated by Dr. Angus Catchot, Extension entomologist for Mississippi State University; Dr. Randy Boman, research director and cotton Extension program leader for Oklahoma State University; and Dr. Chris Main, cotton development specialist for PhytoGen.
“If I had to describe Darrin in one word, it would be intense,” says Main, who worked with Dodds while he was in a similar lead Extension role in Tennessee. Main wrote in Dodds’ nomination letter: “He is intense in his attention to detail in research design, implementation, management, data analysis and writing, which sets him above most agronomists. Darrin is respected as an Extension cotton specialist because he has actually conducted the research results he presents. Darrin is well-deserving of this award.”
Dodds has been an associate Extension professor and cotton specialist at Mississippi State University since 2007. During that time, he has brought in more than $1 million in funding for research at the school. He performs over 20 large cotton variety trials each year.
The award was initiated by the Beltwide Cotton Agronomy & Physiology Conference several years ago to provide a means of recognition for cotton physiology researchers in the early part of their career. It is modeled after the Outstanding Cotton Physiologist Award given by the same conference for career-long accomplishments. The criteria for the Young Physiologist Award is that nominations be submitted by a peer prior to the nominee turning 40 years old and during the first 10 years after the nominee receives his or her highest academic degree.
In 2015, the award was renamed for Dr. J. Tom Cothren in remembrance of his many scientific and academic contributions to the cotton physiology community. Cothren was recognized as the Outstanding Cotton Physiologist in 2000.
“PhytoGen and Dow AgroSciences are proud to support this recognition for cotton physiology researchers by sponsoring this award,” says Derek Racca, brand manager for PhytoGen. “We sincerely appreciate the contributions by Dr. Dodds, and the other past winners, to this industry.”
About PhytoGen
PhytoGen, an affiliate of Dow AgroSciences, offers cottonseed varieties with the most advanced in-plant protection options, such as WideStrike® Insect Protection and Genuity® Roundup Ready® Flex. For more information on PhytoGen or 2016 PhytoGen® cottonseed varieties, call 800-258-3033 or go to PhytoGen.com. Join the discussion with PhytoGen on Facebook and YouTube.
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