Awards and Promotions - 2004

T.J. Whatley Distinguished Young Scientist Award

(Pictured at Left: Vincent Pantalone and Dr. Whatley)

Award Description

This award, established by Dr. Thomas Whatley, Associate Dean Emeritus, Agricultural Experiment Station, recognizes a young scientist who has less than 12 years of professional experience with a minimum of five years of service on the Institute of Agriculture faculty.

Citation

In his sixth year here at the University of Tennessee, Dr. Vince Pantalone is serving as an associate professor in the plant sciences department.

Pantalone, known as one of the top soybean breeders in the nation, and one of the best teachers on the ag campus, does research in the area of soybean genetics with emphasis on improved crop yields and seed quality traits. His dedicated work has provided Tennessee grain farmers with valuable information and new varieties that improve their livelihood.

Pantalone has made numerous presentations at the Milan No-Till Field Day and the West Tennessee Grain producers meeting, and it’s his constant interaction with farmers that makes him such a valued member of the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture team. His grant awards total more than $1.5 million dollars for his soybean breeding and genetics program here.

In addition, our winner knows the importance of training tomorrow’s researchers as he has already guided four M.S. students successfully through the completion of their degrees, and anticipates graduating his first Ph.D student this year.