The Maize Genetics Cooperative recently honored NC State’s Rubén Rellán-Álvarez, an assistant professor in Molecular and Structural Biochemistry, with the organization’s 2024 early career research award. 

The M. Rhoades Early-Career Maize Genetics Award recognizes researchers who have made significant contributions through genetic studies of maize or related species in their first eight years or less in a full-time position. Rellán-Álvarez received the award during the 66th Maize Genetics Meeting in Raleigh, Feb. 29-March 3. 

“This award is presented to only one recipient per year in a very large scientific community,” said Department Head Melanie Simpson.

Rellán-Álvarez, who joined NC State in 2019, studies the genetic, evolutionary, physiological and metabolic processes that enable plants to adapt to their environments. The Maize Genetics award cited his integration of population genetics, physiology, biochemical and functional analyses to provide a better understanding of environmental adaptation.  

Rellán-Álvarez earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and a master’s in plant biotechnology, both from Autonomous University of Madrid in Spain. He completed a Ph.D. on plant metabolic changes in iron-deficient plants at Aula Dei Experimental Station in Zaragoza, Spain. Prior to joining NC State, he did postdoctoral work in plant biology with the Carnegie Institution. He started his lab at the National Laboratory of Genomics for Biodiversity in Guanajuato, Mexico.