The Charles Albert Shull Award

This award was initiated in 1971 by the Society to honor Dr. Charles A. Shull, whose personal interest and support were largely responsible for the founding and early growth of the Society. It is a monetary award made annually for outstanding investigations in the field of plant biology by a member who is generally under forty-five years of age on January 1st of the year of presentation, or is fewer than ten years from the granting of the doctoral degree. Breaks in careers will be considered when addressing the age limit of this award. The recipient is invited to address the Society at the annual meeting the following year.

2026 Winner: Jing-Ke Weng

Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts

Jing-Ke Weng, a professor of chemistry, chemical biology, and bioengineering at Northeastern University, is the 2026 recipient of the Charles Albert Shull Award. Jing-Ke is a plant biochemist whose research has transformed our understanding of the origin, evolution, and function of plant specialized metabolites. By integrating comparative genomics, biochemistry, and synthetic biology, Jing-Ke has elucidated mechanisms by which key metabolic enzymes evolve new functions and has reconstructed complex biosynthetic pathways in a range of plant species and systems. His discoveries have illuminated how plant natural products contribute to ecological interactions and adaptation, and have fostered the sustainable production of valuable compounds for medicine and agriculture. Jing-Ke is further recognized for advancing the field through the development of interdisciplinary approaches that bridge evolutionary biology and chemical innovation.

Sally Assmann, Chair (2024-2026)
Patrick Shih, Past Winner (2025-2026)
Aaron Rashotte (2023-2026)
Aaron Wyman (2023-2026)
Sylvia Lee, Staff Liaison