By Andi Anderson
Elizabeth “Lisa” Ainsworth has been named Professor and C.A. Ewing Chair of Crop Physiology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Known for her groundbreaking contributions to understanding how crops adapt to global environmental changes, Ainsworth’s work significantly advances agricultural research and innovation.
Ainsworth is best known for leading the Soybean Free Air Concentration Enrichment (SoyFACE) project at Illinois, where her team explored the effects of rising atmospheric carbon dioxide, ozone levels, and changing weather patterns on crop yields and ecosystems. Her work aims to improve crop productivity in an uncertain climate.
Dr. Adam Davis, head of the crop sciences department at Illinois, praised her contributions, stating, “Her research has defined the agenda for global change and crop adaptation for over two decades.”
Ainsworth first joined Illinois as a doctoral student in 1998, studying the impact of increased carbon dioxide on plants. After a fellowship in Germany, she joined the USDA Agricultural Research Service and became the research leader in 2019.
Recognized for her achievements, Ainsworth received the 2019 National Academy of Sciences Prize in Food and Agriculture and was elected to the National Academy of Sciences in 2020.
She has also held leadership roles in prominent organizations such as the American Society of Plant Biology and the Association for the Advancement of Sciences.
Throughout her career, Ainsworth has led numerous global interdisciplinary projects, focusing on sustainable crop development.
She is affiliated with leading research institutions and continues to serve as an editorial board member for respected scientific journals.
Elizabeth Ainsworth officially began her role on November 15, 2024. She will be formally invested as the C.A. Ewing Chair in spring 2025, marking a significant milestone in her influential career.
Photo Credit: getty-images-elhenyo
Categories: Illinois, Education