Mary-Dell Chilton, a revered North Carolinian and groundbreaking biochemist, passed away at 87 in her home in Carrboro, as announced by her son.
Her pioneering work significantly shaped the field of plant biotechnology by uncovering fundamental insights into the interactions between bacteria and plants. In the 1970s, Dr. Chilton’s research revealed that a soil bacterium can transfer DNA into plants, challenging longstanding beliefs about plant genetics.
In 1982, while leading a research team at Washington University in St. Louis, Chilton created the world’s initial genetically modified plant, marking a monumental milestone in the field.
She received numerous honors over her career, including the World Food Prize and the Benjamin Franklin Medal in Life Sciences. Former President Joe Biden awarded Chilton the National Medal of Technology and Innovation in 2023.
Chilton grew up in Southern Pines, North Carolina, where she was raised by her grandmother, according to her son, Mark Chilton. He wrote that her grandmother modeled independence and entrepreneurship at a time when women faced legal barriers, inspiring Chilton to pursue an ambitious career.
“As my mother told me: ‘She never said it, but she showed me by example that women can do things in this world,'” Mark Chilton said in a Facebook post. “My great-grandmother ran her own business and kept her own accounts.”
He also said that his mother will be remembered as an avid canoeist, outstanding card player and dog lover.