Pamela C. Ronald

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About

Pamela C. Ronald is a pioneering plant geneticist whose research bridges molecular biology, genetics, and sustainable agriculture. Her work has fundamentally advanced our understanding of how plants respond to environmental stress, particularly flooding and disease. She is best known for isolating the Sub1A gene, which confers submergence tolerance in rice—a breakthrough that has helped protect millions of farmers from flood-related crop losses. Ronald has also made significant contributions to understanding plant innate immunity, including the discovery of the XA21 immune receptor, which confers resistance to bacterial blight in rice. Her research has been cited over 20,000 times, reflecting its profound impact on both basic plant science and global food security. In addition to her scientific achievements, Ronald is a co-author of the acclaimed book *Tomorrow's Table: Organic Farming, Genetics, and the Future of Food*, which advocates for the integration of genetic engineering and organic agriculture. She is a professor at the University of California, Davis, and a member of the National Academy of Sciences.