AMES, Iowa – Jianming Yu, distinguished professor, Pioneer Distinguished Chair in Maize Breeding, and director of Iowa State University's Raymond F.
Baker Center for Plant Breeding, has received the 2026 Public Sector Impact Award from the National Association for Plant Breeding (NAPB). The award recognizes individuals whose work has significantly advanced the field of plant breeding through research, education, and leadership.
The award recipients were announced during the NAPB annual conference held June 14-18 in College Station, Texas. Yu was one of five scientists recognized nationally for outstanding accomplishments in plant breeding and contributions to agricultural innovation. Yu is expected to present an invited talk at the 2027 NAPB annual meeting in Fargo, North Dakota, June 24-28, 2027,
An internationally recognized leader in quantitative genetics, genomics, and crop improvement, Yu's research integrates cutting-edge genomic technologies, statistics, and plant breeding to better understand complex traits and improve crop performance. His work has helped shape modern approaches to gene discovery and genomic prediction in plant breeding.
Over his professional career, including the period after joining Iowa State University in 2013, Yu has advanced research and education in plant breeding while helping train the next generation of scientists. Through his leadership of the Raymond F. Baker Center for Plant Breeding, he has strengthened interdisciplinary collaborations that support crop improvement and agricultural sustainability.
"Dr. Yu's work exemplifies the public impact that results from innovative research coupled with a commitment to training future plant breeders," NAPB noted in recognizing this year's award recipients. The organization highlighted the awardees' dedication to promoting food security, quality of life, and economic resiliency through plant breeding.
The National Association for Plant Breeding brings together public and private sector plant breeders to advance innovation, collaboration, education, and the future of plant breeding.