Media & Press

July 15, 2024 (Alexandria, Va.)—The American Peanut Research & Education Society (APRES) has elected new officers for the 2024-25 term and recognized some of its members with awards for their distinguished work. Both the elections and award ceremony took place last week during the organization’s 56^th annual meeting in Oklahoma City. 

Officers elected include: 

• President – Dr. Rebecca Bennett, Agricultural Research Service, Agriculture Department
• President-elect – Dr. Maria Balota, Virginia Tech
• Immediate Past President - Dr. Bob Kemerait, University of Georgia 

New board members: 

• Southeast University Rep. – Dr. Soraya Bertioli, University of Georgia
• Neal Baxley, National Peanut Board
• Clay Garnto, Premium Peanut
• Nick Shay, president - APRES Graduate Student Organization

Also, during the APRES meeting, the following members were awarded for their distinguished work in peanut research and related efforts:  

• Bailey Award - Dr. Cristiane Pilon, University of Georgia
• Corteva Agriscience Award for Excellence in Research – Dr. Scott Tubbs, University of Georgia
• Corteva Agriscience Award for Excellence in Education – Dr. Scott Monfort, University of Georgia
• Coyt T. Wilson Distinguished Service Award - Rick Brandenburg, North Carolina State University

In addition, nearly 60 graduate students competed in the Joe Sugg Graduate Student Competition and National Peanut Board Graduate Student Poster Competion.

PhD category: 

• 1^st place –  Emile Barnes, University of Georgia
• 2^nd place – Alexi Dong, University of Georgia
• 3^rd place – Nick Shay, University of Georgia

Masters category: 

• 1^st place -L. Dexter-Boone, North Carolina State University
• 2^nd place – Lucinda McEachin, University of Georgia
• 3^rd place – Stephanie Botton, University of Georgia

National Graduate Student Poster Competition: 

PhD category: 

• 1^st place – Leslie Commey, Texas Tech University
• 2^nd place – Kayla Sullins, Auburn University

Masters category: 

• 1^st place – Gabriela Paredes, Oklahoma State University
• 2^nd place – Aasish Pokharel, University of Georgia 

Learn more about each of the awards here. 

The 57^th APRES annual meeting will be held July 15-17, 2025, in Richmond, Va. 

APRES is managed by the American Peanut Council. The purpose of APRES is to instruct and educate the public on the properties, production and use of the peanut through the organization and promotion of public discussion groups, forums, lectures and other programs or presentations. APRES also promotes scientific research on the properties, production and use of the peanut by providing forums, treatises, magazines, and other forms of educational material for the publication and dissemination of scientific information and research papers. More information can be found at www.apresinc.com