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Veterinarian Honored For Work On Identifying Cattle Leukemia Virus Kay Asay Herbert Oberlander George Papavizas Robert Webster As a result of a crucial discovery in the 1970s, veterinarian Janice M. Miller has helped the United States livestock industry stay competitive in world markets today. Her finding: that a virus causes leukemia in cattle. The result: a diagnostic test to detect the virus. In recognition of the breakthrough, Miller was recently selected as the 1988 Distinguished Scientist of the Year by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service (ARS). At a ceremony in November, the department also awarded three Outstanding Scientist of the Year awards to plant geneticist Kay H. Asay, molecular biologist and entomologist Herbert Oberlander, and plant pathologist George Papavizas. The ARS established its awards program in 1982 "to encourage superior basic research on critical issues in the food and agricultural science." Miller, a researcher at ARS National Animal Disease Center, Ames, Iowa, received a $5,000 cash award and $40,000 in research support to lead the agency's project to flight bovine viral reproductive disease. The three "outstanding scientists" each received $2,500 in cash and $25,000 in research support Janice Miller's discovery and development of a diagnostic test to the virus in cattle gave the U.S. the tools with which to control cattle leukemia. "Dr. Miller is a leader and pioneer for her subsequent breakthroughs in the basic understanding of the biology, transmission, and cause of leukemia in the cattle," said R. Dean Plowman, administrator of the scientific agency in announcing the award. More recently, Miller discovered the impact of another virus on reproductive efficiency in cattle. Due to her conclusive studies, the virus causing infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR or "Red Nose") was identified as a cause of bovine infertility and embryonic death. As a result, she recommended not vaccinating breeding-age heifers with live-virus vaccine for IBR because of the potential for pregnancy failure. Kay Asay, of the Forage and Range Research Laboratory in Logan, Utah, won his award for working with colleagues to develop Hycrest wheat - grass, which thrives in dry, hot climates. Between five million and 10 million pounds of Hycrest will be planted to revitalize more than a million acres of western rangeland that was damaged by fire or drought last summer. Asay has begun a breeding program with grasses of the Leymus genus that he collected in Russia. These grasses stay green into early winter and grow taller than early snow levels, so cattle can graze longer. Herbert Oberlander, who directs the Insect Attractants, Behavior and Basic Biology Research Laboratory in Gainesville, Fla., was the first scientist to transform insect cells in a lab dish into the full body parts that they would have made in a live insect. He did this by adding the hormone that makes insects change from immature to adult. While Oberlander focused on wings, scientists around the world have used his approach to produce antennae, eyes, and legs. Oberlander was first to grow insect wing cells, which can be used to produce viruses and other insect diseases as natural pest controls. Oberlander additionally was cited for developing and inspiring young scientists and for advancing the use of molecular biology in entomology. George Papavizas heads the Biocontrol of Plant Diseases Laboratory in Beltsville, Md. His award is for breakthroughs on biological control of the most damaging seedling diseases of field crops, vegetables, and ornamentals. Papavizas developed new strains of beneficial microorganisms that have enhanced the ability to control soil pathogens and are resistant to some commonly used fungicides. He also worked with colleagues on developing fermentation processes to mass-produce beneficial fungi and encapsulate them in pellets. Robert Webster has been promoted to chairman of virology/molecular biology at St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, Memphis Tenn. For more than 20 years, Webster has directed research on influenza viruses and their origins. Webster's hospital laboratories serve as the U.S. link with the World Health Organization, which monitors influenza epidemics as they spread throughout the world. As chairman, Webster succeeds Allan Granoff, now the hospital's deputy director. Several top-level changes have been made in the past few months at Philadelphia's Fox Chase Cancer Center. Robert C. Young, an internationally recognized medical oncologist and formerly the associate director of the centers and community oncology program at the National Cancer Institute, was recently elected president of Fox Chase. Young, who officially took over his new post last month, has been commended for his work toward a treatment of lymphoma and ovarian cancer. In another move from NCI, Robert F. Ozols has left his position as head of the experimental therapeutics section of the institute's medical branch to join the cancer center as chairman of the department of medical oncology. An expert in the treatment of ovarian cancer and the development of new techniques to overcome resistance to chemotherapy drugs, Ozols will carrying out his administrative responsibilities.

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