One has been recognized as a pioneer in tomato disease resistance breeding, another has literally written the book on molecular biology of the gene, and others have helped shape the state's dairy industry. They were among various awards given Nov. 8 by Kathryn Boor, the Ronald P. Lynch Dean of Agriculture and Life Sciences, for outstanding achievements in their fields.

The recipients of awards at the college's seventh annual Research and Extension Awards, held in the Biotechnology Building, are:

Boor also recognized long-serving administrative assistant Debbie Spencer and the 10-member team of the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station's Field Research Unit as part of the college's first Core Value Staff Awards, given to those who "continuously surpassed expectations and have made significant and unique contributions to the college," said Boor.

Spencer was described as "an outstanding asset to the college for 38 years." Members of the Field Research Unit, who help maintain hundreds of research projects across more than 700 acres, were praised for their dedication and ingenuity in helping turn faculty research ideas into reality, which often involves modifications to equipment like planters, sprayers, cultivators and plows, and long hours of labor-intensive work like trellising, netting, mulching, irrigating, putting up canopies, and constructing high tunnels. The team includes: William "Tim" Brightman, Matt Christiansen, Keith Czadzeck, George Disbrow, Steve Gordner, Pete Griner, John Keeton, Rob Lasher and Mark Scott.