DuPont researcher George Lahm awarded for lifetime achievements in crop insect control technologies

One of the most accomplished researchers in the crop protection industry, DuPont Fellow George Lahm, will receive the 2009 Kenneth A. Spencer Award for Outstanding Achievement in Food and Agricultural Chemistry. The award is in recognition of his meritorious contributions to agricultural and food chemistry, including his contributions to the discovery of the two newest DuPont blockbuster insect control products, DuPont Rynaxypyr and Cyazypyr.

Lahm joined DuPont in 1980 and has led major discovery efforts in the company’s agricultural business, including work on innovative insecticides that increase the marketable value of fruits, vegetables and other crops by reducing losses due to insects.
“We are honored to have the opportunity to work side-by-side with George and play a role in the remarkable innovations he and his team have developed to advance agriculture,” said James C. Collins, vice president and general manager -- DuPont Crop Protection. “His research efforts are reflected in our robust pipeline of crop protection products that will help growers improve productivity and profitability over the next several years.

“During his 29 years in crop protection research, George has left an indelible imprint on the industry,” added Collins. “He has been at the forefront of research in insect control chemistry and a driving force behind the discovery and development of several new DuPont active ingredients for insect control, including indoxacarb, Rynaxypyr and Cyazypyr.”

Lahm was selected to receive the Kenneth A. Spencer Award from a nationwide pool of candidates by a 12-person jury of American Chemical Society members representing industry, education and research. He will receive his award at an October symposium organized in his honor by the American Chemical Society. Founded in 1955, the award is administered by the Kansas City Section of the American Chemical Society and supported by a gift from the Kenneth A. and Helen F. Spencer Foundation. George Levitt, another DuPont Crop Protection researcher, received the Spencer Award in 1991 for his discovery of sulfonylurea herbicides.

In addition to the Kenneth A. Spencer Award, Lahm was recognized in 2003 for the 2003 American Chemical Society Award for Team Innovation, recognizing the discovery of indoxacarb.

DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation.

The DuPont Oval Logo, DuPont, The miracles of science, Rynaxypyr and Cyazypyr are registered trademarks or trademarks of DuPont or its affiliates.