The Ron Phillips Plant Genetics Lectureship is named for Dr. Phillips, a member of the National Academy of Sciences, past president of CSSA, recipient of the CSSA Presidential Award, former Chief Scientist of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and a mentor to many graduate students and postdoctoral scientists. The Phillips Lectureship was created to enrich the annual CSSA meeting in areas where Phillips made contributions during his career, namely plant genetics, breeding, and biotechnology. Speakers shall be distinguished scientists from any country and will present research results and scientific concepts or philosophies on subjects that clearly represent plant genetics.