Rick Dixon, Ph.D., Senior Vice President and Director of the Plant Biology Division at The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, has been elected to membership in the National Academy of Sciences. The election occurred earlier today at the Academy's 144th annual meeting in Washington, DC.

The Academy is the country's most prestigious scientific organization. Membership, which is based on distinguished and continuing achievements in original research, is one of the highest honors that can be accorded a scientist or engineer in the United States.

Dixon is the first Noble Foundation faculty member to be elected to the Academy, and becomes only the second active Academy member in Oklahoma.

"Dr. Dixon is an exceptional scientist and an innovator in plant science," said Michael A. Cawley, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Noble Foundation. "Moreover, as the founding director of our Plant Biology Division, he is more than a scientist; he evidences those leadership qualities and the vision required to initiate and sustain a truly world-class research organization. I speak for our Board of Trustees and the Noble Foundation in congratulating him on his election to the National Academy of Sciences."

Dixon's research concerns plant natural product biosynthesis. His research centers on understanding how plants produce certain natural compounds and using metabolic engineering to modify the production of such compounds to improve plant performance and, in many cases, benefit human and animal health.

"My research has always been gratifying because of the people I have worked with and my belief that the outcomes will ultimately make a difference in agriculture," Dixon said. "It is a tremendous honor to have been elected to the Academy, and I am appreciative of this recognition."

Dixon's research group is currently studying three major natural products: flavonoids/isoflavonoids; condensed tannins; and (cell wall) polymer lignin.

For flavonoids/isoflavonoids and condensed tannins, his research is focused on understanding the natural biochemical pathways that produce these compounds. The objective is to move these production pathways into plant species that cannot naturally make these compounds. Plants modified in this manner will benefit from improved disease or pest resistance. When consumed, it is believed flavonoids/isoflavonoids and tannins convey chemopreventive responses in humans to postmenopausal health problems, cancer and cardiovascular disease. In ruminant animals, tannins can prevent bloat and can improve protein use efficiency.

Lignin is a non-nutritional, structural polymer defining the cell walls of all plants. Dixon's research has led to the genetic modification of lignin content and composition and is now applying a range of biochemical and genetics/genomics approaches to decipher the exact manner in which the foundational aspects of lignin are formed. In grazing crops, reduced lignin can improve feedstock digestibility. In the emerging field of cellulosic ethanol, it is believed low-lignin feedstocks can greatly enhance ethanol production per unit of feedstock.

Dixon is currently a co-author of more than 340 scientific papers. The Institute for Scientific Information recognized the significance and scientific merit of these publications in 2002, naming Dixon as one of the 15 most cited authors in the plant and animal sciences.

In addition to many honors and professional awards, Oxford University (UK) awarded Dixon a Doctor of Science degree in recognition of his research achievements. Dixon is a fellow of the American Association of the Advancement of Science. He further serves on the editorial boards of four international journals and maintains adjunct faculty appointments at the University of Texas-Austin, Rice University and the University of Oklahoma.

Dixon began his employment with the Noble Foundation as the founding director of the then newly created Plant Biology Division in 1988. He earned his bachelor's doctoral degrees in biochemistry and botany at Oxford University (UK) and received his postdoctoral training at Cambridge University (UK).

The National Academy of Sciences is a private organization of scientists and engineers dedicated to the furtherance of science and its use for the general welfare. It was established in 1863 by a congressional act of incorporation signed by Abraham Lincoln that calls on the Academy to act as an official adviser to the federal government, upon request, in any matter of science or technology.

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Photo:

Dr. Rick Dixon

News Release Issued: May 1, 2007

The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Inc. (www.noble.org), headquartered in Ardmore, Okla., is a nonprofit organization conducting agricultural, forage improvement and plant biology research; assisting farmers and ranchers through educational and consultative agricultural programs; and providing grants to nonprofit charitable, educational and health organizations.