Noble Foundation selected as one of Oklahoma's top 10 research institutions by state publication

NEWS RELEASE
Issued - February 27, 2009

ARDMORE, Okla. — The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation was recently selected as one of the top 10 research and development institutions in Oklahoma in the Engage Oklahoma publication.

The annual publication is developed by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, the Journal Record newspaper, and public and private sponsors statewide to highlights the best of Oklahoma's business and industry.

Focusing on the "Power of 10" theme, Engage Oklahoma detailed 10 organizations that perform research impacting the Sooner state's technology sector. The Noble Foundation's commitment to plant science and agricultural programs was recognized alongside nine other organizations that range from human health research to high-tech cyber security.

"The Noble Foundation history is intertwined with Oklahoma's since the organization was founded more than six decades ago," said Michael A. Cawley, President and Chief Executive Officer. "We are proud of the amazing research that is aimed at assisting farmers and ranchers in achieving their goals and being good stewards of our most precious resource - the land."

The Noble Foundation's programs stretch the complete spectrum of plant science from basic genetic research to plant breeding and direct application to regional farms through the organization's no-cost consultation programs.

The Noble Foundation's research into switchgrass may have a profound impact on the state and the country. Along with the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University, the Noble Foundation formed the Oklahoma Bioenergy Center in an effort to foster and develop a bioenergy industry in the state, specifically examining the use of switchgrass as a biofuel.

"While our efforts are focused on farmers and ranchers, our research continues to be leveraged into new arenas, such as biofuels and human health research," Cawley said. "We're proud this type of discovery is happening right here in Oklahoma."

The Noble Foundation employs about 85 scientists from more than 25 countries to conduct plant science research at the institution's state-of-the-art campus in Ardmore.

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For media inquiries concerning the Noble Foundation, please contact:

J. Adam Calaway

jacalaway@noble.org

The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Inc. (www.noble.org), headquartered in Ardmore, Okla., is a nonprofit organization conducting agricultural, forage improvement and plant biology research; assisting farmers and ranchers through educational and consultative agricultural programs; and providing grants to nonprofit charitable, educational and health organizations.