Glenn Collins , rightGlenn Collins, a professor and researcher in the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, received the Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society for In Vitro Biology during the opening ceremony of the 2009 In Vitro Biology Meeting in Charleston, S.C.

"It was quite a surprise and an honor to be recognized for a lifetime of research after working for UK for 43 years," he said.

Collins was nominated unbeknownst to him by Greg Phillips, who was one of his former doctoral students and is now the dean of Arkansas State University's College of Agriculture.

The society gives the award to scientists who have achieved academic excellence in their field of study and to honor those who have made a significant contributions and/or advancements to the field of in vitro biology. The lifetime achievement award is given annually to one person from both the animal and plant divisions of the society. Collins won the plant division's award.

Collins is a Kentucky native and earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from UK. He received his doctorate from North Carolina State University. He joined UK's faculty in 1966 and has been a member of the Society for In Vitro Biology for the past 25 years. He will retire from UK at the end of June.

During the past 20 years, Collins focused primarily on molecular biology and genetic engineering of soybeans. His work involved developing virus-resistant soybeans and improving oil quality and protein composition. He also was co-founder and director of undergraduate studies for students pursuing a bachelor's degree in agricultural biotechnology at UK.

Collins received a medallion and plaque to commemorate the award and provided brief comments at the society's meeting.