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The Life, Legacy, And Science of "Queen of Agrobacterium" Mary-Dell Chilton

WUNC | By Anita Rao,
Frank Stasio
Published February 23, 2015 at 11:36 AM EST

Meet scientist Mary-Dell Chilton

Mary-Dell Chilton is a pioneer in the field of agricultural biotechnology. As a young scientist atWashington University, she led the team of researchers that produced the first genetically-modified plant. Chilton moved to North Carolina in the early1980sto begin her corporate career and has continued to conduct research that shapes the agricultural production of corn, cotton, and other crops. Chilton has authored more than 100 scientific publications and was awarded theWorld Food Prize in 2013. She will also be inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame later this year.

At the age of 76, she still spends most of her time in the laboratory atSyngenta, where she serves as the principal scientist, but her other passions include John Grisham novels, shopping, and spending time outdoors with her family. 

Host Frank Stasio talks to Mary-Dell Chilton about her life, legacy and science.

Watch Mary-Dell Chilton's World Food Prize acceptance speech:

Mary-Dell Chilton in her office at Syngenta.
Syngenta /
Mary-Dell Chilton in her office at Syngenta.
Mary-Dell as a young child when she was living with her grandparents in Southern Pines, NC.
Syngenta /
Mary-Dell as a young child when she was living with her grandparents in Southern Pines, NC.
Mary-Dell with her grandparents and mother on the 50th anniversary of the opening of her grandfather's bookstore.
Syngenta /
Mary-Dell with her grandparents and mother on the 50th anniversary of the opening of her grandfather's bookstore.
Mary-Dell Chilton, her son Andrew Chilton, and her late husband Scott Chilton photographing wildflowers.
Syngenta /
Mary-Dell Chilton, her son Andrew Chilton, and her late husband Scott Chilton photographing wildflowers.
Mary-Dell Chilton examining tobacco plants in the greenhouse at Washington University in St. Louis.
Syngenta /
Mary-Dell Chilton examining tobacco plants in the greenhouse at Washington University in St. Louis.
Mary-Dell kayaking on Falls Lake. She and her family love spending time outdoors.
Syngenta /
Mary-Dell kayaking on Falls Lake. She and her family love spending time outdoors.
Mary-Dell and her late husband Scott on their son Mark's wedding day. Mark Chilton served for more than five years as the mayor of Carrboro, NC.
Syngenta /
Mary-Dell and her late husband Scott on their son Mark's wedding day. Mark Chilton served for more than five years as the mayor of Carrboro, NC.
Mary-Dell's patent for the regeneration of plants containing genetically-engineered T-DNA.
Syngenta /
Mary-Dell's patent for the regeneration of plants containing genetically-engineered T-DNA.

Copyright 2015 North Carolina Public Radio
Anita Rao
Anita Rao is the host and creator of "Embodied," a live, weekly radio show and seasonal podcast about sex, relationships & health. She's also the managing editor of WUNC's on-demand content. She has traveled the country recording interviews for the Peabody Award-winning StoryCorps production department, founded and launched a podcast about millennial feminism in the South, and served as the managing editor and regular host of "The State of Things," North Carolina Public Radio's flagship daily, live talk show. Anita was born in a small coal-mining town in Northeast England but spent most of her life growing up in Iowa and has a fond affection for the Midwest.
See stories by Anita Rao
Frank Stasio
Longtime NPR correspondent Frank Stasio was named permanent host of The State of Things in June 2006. A native of Buffalo, Frank has been in radio since the age of 19. He began his public radio career at WOI in Ames, Iowa, where he was a magazine show anchor and the station's News Director.
See stories by Frank Stasio