Among the Stars: Brandizzi Recognized for Plant Science Impact

An Italian Academy that once counted the trailblazing astronomer Galileo Galilei amongst its ranks has recognized a Michigan State University researcher whose ambitions extend beyond Earth's orbit. 

Michigan State University Distinguished Professor Federica Brandizzi was awarded the Professor Luigi Tartufari Prize by the Accademia Nazionale Dei Lincei in November. The ceremony was held in Rome, Italy at the historic Palazzo Corsini on Nov. 7. 

“As a scholar of Italian heritage, the Academy’s legacy has always been a source of pride and inspiration,” Brandizzi said. “This award is an incredible bridge between my professional pursuits and a cultural institution that symbolizes excellence in science and the arts.” 

When in Rome

Professor Luigi Tartufari awards are given to researchers who have made significant impacts in their field. Eligible disciplines span from astronomy and geophysics to philosophy and literature. Brandizzi received the 2024 award in molecular, cellular and evolutionary biology. 

The four awards given in 2024 were each accompanied by a prize of €25,000.  

“I’m pleased to see one of MSU’s most productive and innovative researchers being presented with an award by a renowned international institution,” College of Natural Science Dean Eric Hegg said. “MSU’s work doesn’t only take place in East Lansing.  Working with partners across the globe is a critical part of impactful projects that provide solutions to worldwide problems.  International awards like Federica’s play an important role in forging meaningful and productive international collaborations and raising the global reputation of MSU.” 

Brandizzi, who holds a joint appointment in the MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory and the Department of Plant Biology, first joined MSU in 2006. Over the past two decades, she and her lab have led the charge to several frontiers in plant science, including organelle biology, biofuel research and space biology. 

“This prestigious award to recognize Federica's outstanding research program is richly deserved,” noted Andrea Case, a fellow plant biologist and chair of the department of Plant Biology. “She has trained and mentored literally hundreds of research personnel during her time at MSU, including some of our most engaged students in the Plant Biology doctoral program. We celebrate this award with her and are fortunate to have her in the plant science research community."  

Launching a legacy 

This award recognizes Brandizzi’s career-spanning innovation and impact on plant biology; especially concerning her research on plants’ methods of adapting to environmental stresses. 

Brandizzi has pioneered research ranging from microscopic to global in scale. Her work has brought plants’ internal processes and structures into view, by using bleeding-edge techniques in confocal microscopy to better understand how plant cell organelles function.  

In turn, Brandizzi has leveraged this improved understanding to help tackle global challenges, with the hope of engineering plants which serve as hardier, more nutritious foods, as well as more efficacious biofuels.  

Brandizzi sees this award as recognition that their work has the potential to address these global challenges – including advancements that will help secure the global food supply against stress stemming from climate change. 

“It underscores the global relevance of our research and validates the efforts of my lab to tackle pressing challenges in plant biology, sustainability, and human health. It is also a tribute to the collective efforts of my team and collaborators, who share in this achievement,” she said. 

Rocketing up 

Among Brandizzi’s research endeavors was a recent project aboard NASA’s Artemis I – the agency’s first lunar foray since the Apollo era. While the mission’s primary goal was to test several systems for future manned missions, the craft carried within it a number of space-faring science experiments. 

Among the science missions aboard the spacecraft was Brandizzi’s seed experiment; a project designed to explore how plants could be  grown in space, to support astronauts on long-haul voyages – or even feed the ones who might touch down on our cosmic neighbors. For this work, Brandizzi was a recipient of the NASA Silver Group Achievement Award for the project, whose official title was Bioexperiment-01 Artemis 1 mission. 

The Accademia Nazionale Dei Lincei was first established in 1603 and has played a significant role in advancing science both within Italy and abroad. The group acts as the scientific advisor to the nation’s president, who has presented the award themselves in the past. This year, however, president Sergio Mattarella was unable to make an appearance due to diplomatic responsibilities.  

Despite that, Brandizzi spoke highly of the experience.

“The ceremony was still an extraordinary occasion, hosted by the Academy and attended by prominent figures in science and culture, including of course the President of the Accademia dei Lincei, Doctor Roberto Antonelli,” she said. “The Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei is an institution I have long admired, not only for its historic role in advancing science and culture but also for its contributions to fostering international collaboration in research.” 

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