One of the world’s foremost agricultural pioneers passed away last week. Mary-Dell Chilton, Syngenta plant biotechnologist, died on June 24 at the age of 87. Just one of her many awards and accolades over the years included being honored as the 2013 World Food Prize Laureate, with co-Laureates Marc Van Montagu and Robert Fraley, for her breakthrough achievement in developing and applying modern agricultural biotechnology to create the first genetically modified crops.

“Millions of farmers all over the world have Dr. Chilton to thank for protecting their crops from disease, pests and climate shocks,” said Tom Vilsack, CEO, World Food Prize Foundation. “Her brilliant innovations have revolutionized agriculture. She will be greatly missed, but her legacy continues to guide those who are bringing technology to bear on the great challenges we face in feeding the world.”

Dr. Chilton led a team of university researchers in producing the first transgenic plant in the late 1970s and her research ultimately resulted in the discovery of novel methods to improve a plant’s ability to control pests and manage extreme environmental conditions. She began her corporate career in 1983 with CIBA-Geigy Corporation, a legacy company of Syngenta, and later founded its first biotechnology research lab. Under her leadership, Syngenta was the first company to commercialize a biotech trait in corn (Bt). Dr. Chilton retired in 2018, but her legacy of innovation will continue through the Syngenta Seeds’ R&D program.

In 2006, Dr. Chilton was only 67 but she said at the time she was already “way past” retirement age. She finally officially retired in 2018 at age 79 after a 35-year career with the company. You can listen to an interview with her from a Syngenta media day in 2006 visiting the biotech research lab dedicated to her.

Dr. Mary-Dell Chilton 2006 interview