Stamford School Launches the Herb and Bernadine Aldwinckle Prize

Stamford School is pleased to introduce the Herb and Bernadine Aldwinckle Prize, which looks to encourage and recognise student research in plant sciences.

The prize has been established by Old Stamfordian, Professor Herb Aldwinckle (OS 60), who credits the strong scientific foundation he received at Stamford School with shaping his career.

Since 1970, Professor Aldwinckle has been closely associated with Cornell University. His work advancing understanding of diseases affecting apple crops was recognised in 2010 with an award from the International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS), and in 2024 he was elected to the National Academy of Inventors. His research has focused on plant disease management, including crossbreeding apple rootstocks to improve resistance to diseases such as the devastating fire blight.

Professor Aldwinckle has also contributed to advances in plant biotechnology. His research has explored the use of transgenes in plants to produce polypeptides that deter insect feeding, offering an additional line of defence against pests such as psyllids in crops including sweet oranges, tomatoes and potatoes.

Through the creation of the Herb and Bernadine Aldwinckle Prize, he hopes to encourage Stamford students to explore careers in plant science and related disciplines. His work has long supported sustainability in fruit production, particularly through reducing reliance on pesticides, and the prize reflects the importance of scientific innovation in tackling global agricultural challenges.

The prize is open to all students from Years 7-13. Students will be invited to produce a scientific poster presenting their own research findings in response to a question set by Professor Aldwinckle, with entries judged by an internal panel. Entries will be judged on the quality of the research, clarity of explanation and the effectiveness of the poster’s visual presentation. Winners will be awarded at Celebration Day.