past award recipients
Governor’s Bioscience Award
The Governor’s Bioscience Award is presented annually during Bioscience Month to an individual or company that has made significant contributions to Nebraska’s bioscience industry. Selection criteria include innovative research, product development and investments that strengthen and grow Nebraska’s bioscience community.
The recipient is selected based on input from the Bio Nebraska Board of Directors, as well as conversations with state and industry leaders.
2026 Recipient:
Phibro Animal Health
“Phibro Animal Health demonstrates what Nebraska’s bioscience industry can accomplish when innovation, agriculture and long-term investment come together,” said Rob Owen, Executive Director of Bio Nebraska.
“The company has continued to invest in its Nebraska operations, grow its workforce and expand its capabilities while developing products that support animal health and the global food supply. Its growth in Omaha is a strong example of the economic and scientific impact bioscience companies can have in Nebraska.”
Past Recipients
2025: ADS Biotec
2024: Virtual Incision
2023: Merck Animal Health
2022: Synbiotic Health
2021: BD (Becton Dickinson)
2020: Evonik
2019: Gloria Thesenvitz (Nova-Tech, Inc.)
2018: Novozymes (now Novonesis)
2017: Nature Technology
2016: Merck Animal Health
2015: Zoetis
2014: Dr. Kelly Lechtenberg & team at Midwest Veterinary Services and Central States Research Centre
2013: Transgenomic
2012: Abe Oommen & Dr. Daniel Pomp (GeneSeek)
2011: Dr. Timothy Miller (Benchmark Biolabs)
2010: Lyle Middendorf and Dr. John Brumbaugh (LI-COR)
2009: Dr. Wayne L. Ryan (Streck, Inc.)