Dr Ron Knox, a research scientist in wheat biotechnology and plant pathology, officially retires this week.

A farmer himself, he began his career as a technician at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Swift Current in the cereals program in 1984, and worked towards his role of becoming a research scientist in 1994.

In his 30+ year career with AAFC Knox has played a key role in the development of numerous wheat varieties and has helped to train the next generation of scientists.

Along with his extensive list of research achievements, he has a lengthy list of research publications.

Over the years, wheat breeder Dr. Richard Cuthbert has had the opportunity to work closely with Knox. 

"Ron's had a role in every variety that's been developed whether it's bread wheat or durum wheat in the application of biotechnology. So the use of what we call marker assisted selection and implementing doubled haploid technology and in plant pathology. So Ron's really had a major role in every variety that Swift Current has developed and released."

Earlier this year Knox received the Germination and Seeds Canada - 2023 Plant Breeding and Genetics Award.

The award is given annually to a public or private sector researcher who has made a significant contribution to the advancement of Canadian plant agriculture through research in plant breeding and genetics.