Davis, California
October 3, 2007
 UC
Davis plant sciences Professor Kent Bradford, known among
academic colleagues as an exceptionally devoted faculty member
and seed biology scholar, is being honored Oct. 12, 2007 with an
Award of Distinction by the campus’ College of Agricultural and
Environmental Sciences.
The award is presented annually to a handful of recipients whose
contributions and achievements enrich the image and reputation
of the college and enhance its ability to provide public
service. The awards are presented during the annual “College
Celebration” and include seven individuals in 2007 – alumni,
supporters, faculty, and staff. Bradford will receive
recognition as “outstanding faculty.”
Professor Bradford was the driving force behind the UC Davis
Seed Biotechnology Center,
established in 1999 to facilitate interaction between the seed
industry and the university. He helped raise more than $1.2
million in capital funds and nearly $400,000 in operational
support to launch the vibrant, vital center.
Bradford correctly predicted that the biology and economics of
many biotechnologies would converge in the seed – used
increasingly as a multipurpose delivery system for agricultural
technology.
He is regarded as an innovative professor who has mentored 13
master’s students and 10 doctoral students, and supervised
another 13 postdoctoral research associates. Bradford has held
numerous posts within the campus community, including five years
as vegetable crops chair and participation on 40 departmental
committees since 1989.
His publication record includes more than 135 peer-reviewed
manuscripts or book chapters, 100 published abstracts, and 290
reports, presentations, and invited seminars. Bradford’s
research contributions have significantly increased the
understanding of seed biology for important crops such as
tomatoes, melons, lettuce, peas, beans, rice, broccoli, peppers,
and carrots.
He was a Fulbright scholar in Argentina from 1998 to 1999. In
2002 he received the Seed Science Award from the Crop Science
Society of America for his continuous high-quality research. He
is active in a number of professional societies and serves in
editorial roles for research journals like Crop Science and
California Agriculture. In 2003, Dr. Bradford, was selected as a
fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of
Science.
“He is an exceptional leader, among the brightest of the stars
within the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences,
as well as the entire University of California system,” said
colleague Joseph DiTomaso, a UC Davis Cooperative Extension
specialist in plant sciences. “Despite all of his
accomplishments and his busy schedule, he always seems to have
time to help or advise others, including faculty, and graduate
and undergraduate students.”
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