Shawn Kaeppler, professor in the Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences, has been awarded the 2025 Leadership Award by the Maize Genetics Cooperation. This prestigious award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to mentorship, leadership, outreach and education in the maize genetics community, with a particular emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion.

Kaeppler, who is also faculty director of the Wisconsin Crop Innovation Center, has championed scientific initiatives that have had a transformative impact on maize genetics research, particularly in the areas of genomics, breeding and functional biology. His leadership has been instrumental in developing and advocating for collaborative research programs that have shaped the direction of the field. Additionally, his contributions to large-scale research projects have helped bridge fundamental discoveries with real-world applications, driving innovation in plant breeding.

Beyond research, Kaeppler has been a dedicated mentor and advocate for students and early-career scientists. His efforts in expanding training opportunities and fostering a culture of inclusivity and collaboration have strengthened the maize genetics community as a whole. His commitment to mentoring has also been evident in the success of the numerous students and postdocs he has trained, many of whom have gone on to impactful careers in academia, industry and government.

Kaeppler will be honored at the 2025 Maize Genetics Meeting, to be held March 6–9 in St. Louis, MO.