W
illiam “Bill” D. Branch, who holds the University of Georgia seed development professorship, has been elected as Fellow for the National Academy of Inventors. Branch is the 17th UGA faculty member to receive this honor.
“We’re proud to see another innovative UGA faculty member elected to the National Academy of Inventors,” says Chris King, interim vice president for research. “Dr. Branch has made remarkable contributions to the agricultural industry, and his work in plant breeding underscores the significant impact UGA research has around the globe.”
Branch’s groundbreaking work in peanut breeding has led to the development of more than 30 novel, licensed peanut varieties. He has earned the National Peanut Buying Points Association Impact Award, the Innovator Award from the Georgia Peanut Commission, UGA’s Inventor of the Year Award in 1997 and induction into the Georgia Agricultural Hall of Fame.
Georgia’s peanut industry contributes about $1.8 billion annually to Georgia’s economy, and Branch’s cultivars account for 85% of the peanut acreage grown in the Southeast. He released or co-released all of the Top 5 varieties.
With over 30 U.S. Plant Variety Protection Certificates and multiple patents to his name, Branch’s innovations have generated more than $72 million in royalties for UGA, the most of any agriculture-related technology. The licensed and commercialized varieties have generated more than 500 non-exclusive license agreements.
Branch is a member of the American Peanut Research and Education Society, the American Society of Agronomy, Council of Agricultural Science and Technology and the American Peanut Council.
“I am honored to have been elected as an NAI Fellow,” he said. “Any success I have obtained is all credit to my wife, Milla, and family for their continued support for all these years. Together with our Lord, we have been able to reach new heights.”
Branch will be inducted as an NAI Fellow on June 23 at the 14th Annual Conference in Atlanta. PG
