Tom Elmo Clemente has been honored with the Larry Tonniges Research Achievement Award by the Nebraska Soybean Board for his groundbreaking contributions to soybean research. Clemente has been described by the industry as a distinguished figure in the realm of plant genetics and biotechnology.
The award, which was made possible by the family of the late Larry Tonniges, a longtime Nebraska farmer who was dedicated to production research as part of the Nebraska Soybean Board (NSB), honors researchers who have made significant contributions to soybean research for NSB.
Serving as a principal investigator and professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Clemente has pioneered innovative research initiatives aimed at enhancing plant germplasm and incorporating genetic engineering to fortify crops against diseases and enhance value-added traits. Clemente oversees the Plant Transformation Core Research Facility (PTCRF). His research spans across various crops including soybeans, wheat, maize and sorghum, showcasing his versatility and commitment to addressing pressing agricultural challenges.
Clemente has been instrumental in identifying a gene crucial for conferring resistance to the herbicide dicamba in broadleaf crops. This discovery has paved the way for the development of dicamba-resistant crops and has sparked further exploration into novel applications of this technology. Additionally, Clemente has spearheaded Nebraska Soybean Board-funded projects aimed at enhancing soybean germplasm through biotechnology, increasing oil content, improving disease resistance and exploring the integration of soybeans into fish diets.
