A Regents professor at New Mexico State University is celebrating another milestone after receiving an award from the Crop Science Society of America this year for outstanding contributions to crop science through education, national and international service, and research.



Bernd Leinauer, Regents professor and turfgrass Extension specialist in the College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences, was recently awarded the Fred V. Grau Turfgrass Science Award, which recognizes significant career contributions in turfgrass science during the last 15 years.



“I consider this award as the highlight of my academic career,” Leinauer said. “The award is the highest national research award given by our society. It rewards the efforts our team has put in over 20 years and recognizes the standing we have received nationally and internationally on the topic of turfgrass water conservation.”



The award, which Leinauer will accept at a ceremony in November, includes a $2,000 prize.



Some of the contributions that were evaluated by CSSA for this award include significance and originality of basic and/or applied research; planning and implementation of extension programs; administrative ability and effectiveness; and total impact of contributions of turfgrass science, nationally and internationally.



Leinauer added that the award recognizes the work of his team and is not just the result of his accomplishments.



“While awards are usually given to individuals, it takes a team of graduate students, post-docs, and collaborators to work on projects which lead to publications, presentations, Extension activities, all of which ultimately result in such an award,” he said.



For more information on the CSSA 2023 awards, visit https://www.crops.org/awards/view/.

The full article can be seen at https://newsroom.nmsu.edu/news/nmsu-regents-professor-receives-national-award-for-outstanding-crop-science-work/s/9cc8278a-dd7c-4a1c-a068-877703fa5ff7