Michigan State University plant biochemist Thomas D. Sharkey was recently named a Pioneer Member of the American Society of Plant Biologists, a recognition given to leaders in the society, especially those who have been involved in training graduate students, postdocs and visiting professors.

The Pioneer Membership is given to ASPB members whose former graduate students, postdocs and colleagues raise $5,000 in their name.

Sharkey, a University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and the MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory in the MSU College of Natural Science, had no idea his former and current mentees were organizing the donation. When he got the notification, he was taken completely by surprise.

“I was deeply touched by some of the testimonials people wrote and the number of people that were involved,” said Sharkey, who is also a Molecular Plant Sciences Graduate Program faculty member and interim director of the Plant Resilience Institute. “Being a professor at a university is different from being at a research facility because we are not only supposed to do research; we are also expected to train those working in our labs.

“Those things aren’t always compatible, so sometimes your research will be a little slower because you’re working with people who are just learning the trade,” he continued. “I’ve always tried to accept that graciously and keep the people and their career development a big part of my focus, and to have so many people say exactly that was deeply gratifying.”

To read more about Sharkey's work and leadership, visit natsci.msu.edu