WHAT DO YOU ADMIRE MOST ABOUT BEN?
Mostly, I admire his critical thinking and his ideas for the research. Also, his simplicity. —Sita Paudel
Ben’s hard-work and dedication to his research was inspiring to see as a graduate student. — Becca Hall
I don't know anyone else who's career and life passion so completely overlapped. His devotion to the discipline of plant virology was singular. He never seemed stressed or tired from his work, he was simply excited to see what he could find in plants. His energy was boundless and he always had a friendly congenial nature. –Brett Arenz
Ben is the consummate hands-on professor who I wished I could have worked for during my graduate studies. Although I was not doing virology research, I really would have enjoyed working side by side in the laboratory with a professor like Ben. This would have allowed me to have a deep understanding of virology and also become expert in all of the many techniques used to characterize these fascinating plant pathogens. —Brian Steffenson
His next-level understanding of plant viruses.—Matt Rouse
His never-ending curiosity, knowledge, and ability to get away with not using certain technologies such as email and cell phones.—Kristi Ledman
His passion for discovering new viruses.—Carol Ishimaru
Ben probably knows more about plant viruses than anyone on the planet. He made amazing contributions to understanding of plant viruses, most notably pioneering work on badnaviruses that integrate into plant genomes. He also spent innumerable hours on applied virology in Morocco and Kenya, helping local scientists diagnose and manage viral diseases. He was incredibly humble about all of his accomplishments. Most importantly, he loved his work and instilled that love into everyone around him.—Deb Samac
His willingness to help and my graduate students with virus problems encountered in their research.—James Percich
His amazing knowledge of plant viruses plus his willingness to help others learn more about viruses.—Nevin Young
Everything! His kindness, generosity, knowledge and willingness to share.—Neil Olszewski
His passion and dedication to science. His kindness and sympathy with everyone, faculty, students, staff, and growers everywhere he traveled in the USA or abroad. His commitment to providing solutions to viral diseases that affect staple crops in developing countries. Despite his prolific career and status as an influential virologist worldwide, he always was very humble about it.—Robert Alvarez-Quinto
His passion for helping others. —Jennifer Flynn
His lifelong love for science and discovery.—Mattie Baumann
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY OF BEN?
Working in the lab with him everyday even during Weekends. - Sita Paudel
I have many favorite memories of Ben, but the top ones were just chatting with him in the hallway about so many different topics: from politics to world music to virology. Ben was an extremely knowledgeable and worldly person. It was an absolute privilege to be his colleague. —Brian Steffenson
I had the pleasure of taking Ben's plant virology class section. I had previously taken a more traditional plant virology course at another university. Ben did not have PowerPoint slides, lectures, or a classroom. We met in his lab and he talked about what he was currently doing research on. He had us participate in his research. I remember more about plant virology from Ben's lab than from the traditional course. Often students would follow up their work in Ben's lab/class with publications.—Matt Rouse
Ben was my seminar advisor, and my topic was on mycoviruses. We had the idea to take a hands-on approach to the seminar, so I enjoyed spending time in the virology lab with Ben, extracting viral particles from the different fungi I had collected. Since Ben was always in the lab, we did this over several Saturdays when the building was quiet except for the music Ben would play while we worked.—Kristi Ledman
While I was working in the bacteriology lab in Christensen, Ben always stopped in as he walked by just to say hello and ask what I was working on. He also always asked how my two dogs were doing. I really appreciated his kindness during our interactions on campus.—Kristi Ledman
Ben would often stop by and ask if I'd found anything new in the world of plant bacteriology. Then he'd launch into a story about his latest virus of interest. —Carol Ishimaru
When waiting for a gel or a centrifuge to finish a run, Ben would observe the birds outside of Christensen Labs from the hallway window. We had many lively discussions about the birds he saw migrating through campus. I also enjoyed discussing the current viral problems he was working on from plants around campus and plants brought in by local nurseries. He was happy to have my diseased clematis with a ring spot virus and disappointed that my rhubarb was disease free!—Deb
His outstanding yearly assistance in teaching of the virus diseases section for my course entitled, "Biology of Plant Diseases." —James Percich
Running into Ben at almost any time of the day out in the greenhouse -- where he'd be happy to show off a new virus -- that is -- plant showing symptoms out in his collection.—Nevin Young
Talking with Ben about any subject. Ben in his quiet, kind and unassuming way observed the world and came to deep insights. Every conversation was a joy and you aways came away enriched. Walking anywhere with Ben and interacting with the world through his eyes and mind. —Neil Olzsewski
My favorite memory is looking at him so happy preparing his samples for virus purification while listening to music on his stereo. It was truly inspiring for me to see his face of happiness doing what he loved to do the most. Depending on the day of the week the music could be bluegrass, orchestra, rock, traditional music from Africa, or Mexico.
One of my favorite activities to do with Ben was going virus hunting with him. We used to go to nurseries, conservatories, arboretums, and fields. During the commute, we used to chat about the different viruses he discovered and projects we should start working on next.
Before I started my Ph.D., we worked together in Ecuador for a month. During this time, I ask him how he became so famous and renowned in the world. He told me he was not looking to be renowned or famous. He was just doing his job, doing research to contribute to the management of viral diseases, and solving problems, and he did not expect his discoveries will become so important one day. In the end, he encouraged me to keep up with the good work and just enjoy the research and not worry about that for now. —Robert Alvarez-Quinto
His excitement every time he saw a plant with interesting virus symptoms. When he talked about his career at a Legacy lunch event. —Jennifer Flynn
I would sometimes see Ben around campus, looking at plants he found suspicious. Oftentimes, the samples he collected would end up on my bench to be tested for virus. Ben is a lifelong scientist, it was never just a job for him.—Mattie Baumann
HOW DID BEN IMPACT YOUR OWN LIFE AND/OR CAREER?
Actually, I started my research experiences with him, but due to unexpected situation I struggled with many things. However, this situation helps to be more motivated, confidence and more matured in my graduate study. - Sita Paudel
Ben was an incredible resource for us in the Plant Disease Clinic as plant viruses can be difficult to diagnose and require specialized techniques. He diagnosed dozens of sample for us per year and would do so with no prior notice. Just bring them up and drop them off in his lab and he would often have a diagnosis in a day or two. His reputation as a world authority in viral diagnostics meant we would even get samples from other plant disease clinics in different states that didn't have the ability to test for many of these viruses. -Brett Arenz
Ben was always interested in any virus-infected plants that I encountered, whether in my own research plots on campus or in my garden at home. I appreciated his enthusiasm and incredible knowledge and experience in plant virology. I learned much from him about cereal viruses that I benefit from today.—Brian Steffenson
Ben's consistent work ethic was motivating to me. He was always in the lab or greenhouses.—Matt Rouse
His curiosity about viruses was infectious. Ben reminded me of why I became a plant microbiologist- it's fun and fascinating!—Carol Ishimaru
Ben always had time to help us with a problematic piece of equipment, loan us a tool, or discuss a disease problem. He was often in the lab in the evenings and weekends and was happy to chat about what ever issue was on my mind. --Deb Samac
He was a very special teacher. He could present difficult concepts in a clear and exciting way so that both undergraduate and graduate students could clearly understand.—James Percich
Our labs were across from one another in Christensen for many years. The wisdom and insight I gained from our conversations were transformational early in my career here at Minnesota.—Nevin Young
We had a long productive collaboration that was fun and energizing. This would not have been possible if not for Ben's generosity, enthusiasm and his excitement for understanding the world.—Neil Olzsewski
Before knowing Ben, every time I found some unusual results in my experiments or results that did not fit what was already known about a system or model, I immediately thought that was a mistake/error I made. But Ben taught me to think outside the box. “If you repeat your experiments multiple times, then is not a mistake is a novel discovery you have made”, with a big smile on his face and genuine excitement he said let’s repeat this experiment.
He also taught me to be courageous when presenting my results and trust in my research and data, some research results in virology are so novel that other scientists usually do not accept them immediately.—Robert Alvarez-Quinto
Of all the many inspirational and amazing people I have met in the Plant Pathology Department at UMN, Ben Lockhart stands out amongst all of them. As a woman who returned to school later in life, I did not often feel included, considered or even seen. Ben was a friend, mentor, collaborator, inspiration, and teacher whose breadth of knowledge and desire to share had no bounds.
I would not be here if he had not offered me a project on a grant he had been given to study viruses in Hosta. I will forever be grateful that he saw me and let me into the world of Plant Pathology. —Grace Anderson
He was accessible. He taught me a lot even though I never took his class. Ben was a wonderful collaborator with the Plant Disease Clinic which let us provide the hard-to-find service of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to clients of the PDC.—Jennifer Flynn
I came to Ben’s lab as an art major my freshman year, always having an interest in science but not knowing where to begin. Ben hired me without a second thought, I remember him telling me that science is like cooking, given the tools and recipes, anyone can learn. For four years i worked as Bens lab assistant, learning not only bench techniques but also how better to approach, communicate, and solve problems. Ben helped me to think about things in ways I hadn’t before; his faith in me and attention in lab made a world of difference. I am now a research technologist at a virology company in industry, and can wholeheartedly say I would not be where I am today without Ben Lockhart. —Mattie Baumann
WHAT DO YOU SEE AS BEN’S LEGACY AS A TEACHER, RESEARCHER, OR OTHERWISE?
Researcher —Sita Paudel
Not only did Ben make great discoveries himself, he trained a great number of students who have gone on to become noted virologists in their own right around the world. —Brett Arenz
Ben’s greatest legacy will be the many graduate students that he advised in his laboratory who became prominent scientists in their own right. He also impacted the many students who had the pleasure of taking his Plant Virology course. In addition to his time based at the University of Minnesota, Ben spent many years working in Morocco where he impacted many students from North Africa. —Brian Steffenson
Ben leaves a legacy as a world leader in plant virology.—Matt Rouse
Ben believed the best approach to learning and discovery was through hands-on experience. He didn't sit in an office and talk about science. He worked at the bench everyday, modeling a strong work ethic as well as the determination, patience and mastery it takes to become an accomplished scientist.—Carol Ishimaru
His research dealing with the discovery of new and important viruses.—James Percich
Ben's passion for virology helps to keep this essential facet of plant pathology alive and vibrant.—Nevin Young
…The PCR detection method together with Professor Lockhart’s recognition that tissue culture could trigger banana streak virus infections in healthy bananas, led to his discovery that the genomes of several different badnaviruses were integrated in the nuclear genome of banana. More importantly, he demonstrated that the integrated sequences were capable of causing virus infections. Prior to these discoveries, plant genomes were not known to harbor infections virus sequences. Professor Lockhart and other groups around the world have shown that infectious virus sequences occur in a number of plant species. His work with banana, where infectious sequences are present in breeding material, has highlighted the importance selecting breeding material that is free of potentially infectious sequences. .. —Neil O
As a teacher, Ben excelled in encouraging and inspiring his students to think critically, but also to think differently, and to be curious. He believed that what we know about virology is very little and we cannot adjust every research finding to what is already known. We are creating knowledge as we work, and we should have no boundaries.
As a researcher, I think his legacy is the discovery and characterization of bacilliform viruses in the genus Badnavirus. The discovery of viral sequences integrated into plant genomes. The characterization and development of detection tools for many viral diseases around the world.
Also, his considerable contribution to addressing and managing viral disease problems in developing countries to ensure food security in these regions.—Robert Alvarez-Quinto
He was a great diagnostician and he tied those skills into teaching and research that helped growers. —Jennifer Flynn
Ben was always traveling and working with labs internationally. He helped to set up labs and supply equipment in Kenya, Ecuador, and visited many other countries to work on novel plant disease problems. —Mattie Baumann