The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) today presented the annual George Washington Carver Award for Innovation in Industrial Biotechnology to DuPont Chairman of the Board Charles (Chad) O. Holliday, Jr., recognizing his commitment to industrial biotechnology as a tool for sustainable business growth. The award was given during the 2009 World Congress underway in Montreal with more than 1,100 attendees.
Chad Holliday with the GWCarver award and Mark Wright of Iowa State, the recipient of the Carver scholarship
The George Washington Carver Award was created in honor of George Washington Carver, who attended Iowa State University, and honors individuals in the private industry, government or academia who have made a significant contribution to the economic and innovative growth of the biotech industry. In addition, the efforts of the individual must focus on environmentally sustainable processes – more critical now than ever.
“Many of the technologies here today will help us address climate change,” said Holliday. He noted that while this is not the only issue facing the world today, it was one of the most critical and is confident that biotech companies, through innovation, will help to alleviate the issue.
Brent Erickson, executive vice president of BIO’s Industrial & Environmental Section, said, “BIO is pleased to recognize the contributions to the field of industrial biotechnology and outstanding accomplishments of DuPont Chairman Chad Holliday.”
Erickson continued, “George Washington Carver is considered one of the founding fathers of modern industrial biotechnology. Following his legacy, industrial biotechnology companies today are developing new methods to use renewable agricultural resources to manufacture fuels, plastics, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and food ingredients. The field has developed in ways that Carver may never have imagined, but the work of industrial biotech companies remains true to the goal of a sustainable agricultural economy that includes production of useful everyday products.”
Holliday noted that he was “deeply honored” to recieve the award that recognizes and promotes the work toward the goal of developing new, sustainable products and technologies to help make peoples’ lives around the world more secure.
Accompanying the award is a George Washington Carver scholarship given in the name of Charles O. Holliday, Jr., to Iowa State University graduate student Mark Wright, currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering and Biorenewable Resources and Technology. The award is sponsored by DSM, the Iowa Biotechnology Association and the Iowa Department of Economic Development.