Stephen Hales Prize

This award honors the Reverend Stephen Hales for his pioneering work in plant biology published in his 1727 book Vegetable Staticks. It is a monetary award established in 1927 for a scientist, an ASPB member, who has served the science of plant biology in some noteworthy manner. The award is made annually. The recipient of the award is invited to address the Society on a subject in plant biology at the next annual meeting.

2025 Winner: Gary Stacey

University of Missouri, Columbia

Gary Stacey is a Curators’ Distinguished Professor in the Division of Plant Science and Technology at the University of Missouri. Gary is a leader in the field of legume research and genomics with a focus on nitrogen-fixing symbiosis. His most impactful scientific discoveries and contributions include elucidating the regulatory mechanism controlling the expression of the Bradyrhizobium japonicum nodulation genes and uncovering the structure of the B. japonicum lipo-chitin nodulation factor. The latter led to the development of the product ‘Optimize’, which increases the rate of early soybean nodulation and is currently sold to soybean farmers. Furthermore, Gary’s research revealed that associative nitrogen-fixing bacteria have the capacity to provide 100% of the nitrogen needs for plant growth. In addition, he contributed to the successful sequencing of the soybean genome and the development of soybean genomic resources that aided advances in legume research.

Gary has an excellent record in leadership, service to the community, and mentoring future generations of scientists, including extensive service on editorial and advisory boards. In addition to service on several ASPB committees, he served as chair of the Scientific Advisory Committee for the Biological and Environmental Research office within the DOE Office of Science that guided funding support for plant science research. Gary has also played a major role in establishing two programs that provide research opportunities for undergraduate students in plant sciences at the University of Missouri – Columbia, the Freshman Research and Plant Science (FRIPS) program and the Bioinformatics in Plants (BIPS) program – both of which continue to be active.

Gary has earned several notable recognitions. He is a fellow of ASPB, AAAS, the American Academy of Microbiology, the National Academy of Inventors, and the St. Louis Academy of Science.

Dawn Nagel, Chair (2023-2026)
Gary Stacey, Past Winner (2025-2026)
Jeff Bennetzen (2023-2026)
Kerrm Yau (2023-2026)
Sylvia Lee, Staff Liaison