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Bonnie Johnson
July 24, 2026
Media ArticleTwo University of Nebraska–Lincoln researchers have received national recognition from agInnovation for their contributions to agricultural research and innovation. The awards honor achievements in advancing agricultural science, sustainability and technology.
Edgar Cahoon, director of the Center for Plant Science Innovation and professor of biochemistry, received the 2026 Lifetime Agricultural Research Innovation Award of Excellence. He is recognized for his work in plant lipid biotechnology, including the development of plant-based oils for food, feed and industrial applications.
Cahoon has led major biofuels research projects, collaborated with the U.S. Department of Energy and produced nearly 200 peer-reviewed publications. His research has also resulted in 36 patents and significant advances in agricultural sustainability.
Ozan Ciftci, professor of food engineering and associate professor in Food Science and Technology and Biological Systems Engineering, earned the 2026 Mid-Career Agricultural Research Innovation Award of Excellence. His research focuses on food engineering, sustainable food systems and technologies that create value from agricultural byproducts.
Ciftci currently leads an international project aimed at developing alternative protein and lipid sources from specially designed plants and microorganisms. The initiative is supported by the National Science Foundation, Business Finland and the Research Council of Finland.
Both researchers were initially recognized at the regional level before being selected for agInnovation’s top national honors. They will be formally recognized at award ceremonies scheduled for September in Colorado and November in Texas.
Photo Credit:ianrnews.unl.edu
