Each year, the Secretary of the Faculty recognizes four professors from the University of Wisconsin–Madison for distinguished contributions to research, teaching and service with the Hilldale Awards.

One faculty member each from the arts and humanities, social sciences, physical sciences and biological sciences is selected from nominations by department chairs. The winners will be awarded $7,500 and recognized an upcoming Faculty Senate meeting.

The winners this year are Richard Lindroth, David Kaplan, Laurie Beth Clark and Thomas Jahns.

Richard Lindroth
Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor of Entomology

Lindroth is a world-renowned expert in the complex interactions between plants, insects and the global environment. His research into the chemical ecology of poplar trees helped lay the foundation for the use of these species as vital models of woody plants and potential bioenergy crops.

His work has helped unite biological interactions ranging from individual genes all the way up to global climate. Lindroth has demonstrated how higher carbon dioxide levels affect tree productivity and how insect-plant interactions will affect forests’ ability to mitigate climate change. This work relied on Lindroth’s leadership of the Aspen FACE study in northern Wisconsin, the largest open-air carbon dioxide experiment ever conducted. And he was able to link individual genes in trees to their effects on insect evolution, a connection that was previously impossible to demonstrate.

Lindroth is also recognized as an exceptional teacher and mentor to undergraduate and graduate students. He has edited top journals in his field and served as associate dean for research in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences for six years during difficult budget cuts.

“His visionary research, national and international prominence as a scholar, and laudable commitment to campus and community all exemplify the Wisconsin Idea at its finest,” writes Susan Paskewitz, professor and chair of entomology, in her nominating letter.

Read the full article on UW-Madison’s news site.

This article was posted in Awards, News and tagged Rick Lindroth.