In the basement of Bessey Hall is a man whose research has made a considerable impact in his field.

His accomplishments have been noted with the highest rank at Iowa State, a university professorship, and most recently by the Botanical Society of America.

Harry “Jack” Horner, university professor of genetics, development and cell biology, recently won the Botanical Society of America’s Merit Award. The award recognizes Horner’s accomplishments and contributions to the science of botany.

“For me, it’s just great to know that my colleagues within the society, as well as outside the society, feel that I’m deserving of it,” Horner said. “I feel very good that the society recognized me. I’ll continue working both in teaching and research.”

To be considered for the honor, two colleagues within the botanical society must nominate an honoree and put together materials to support the nomination including research, previous accomplishments and letters of support from numerous others.

Horner was aware that he had been nominated, but was not informed that he would be one of the recipients until the day it was awarded.

“He’s one of the tried-and-true professors on campus. He’s the adviser every student wants to have. He thinks about you and your goals and what it takes to reach those goals,” said Tracey Pepper, assistant scientist in genetics, development and cell biology. “He’s very supportive. All of his advisees tend to do very, very well.”

Horner came to Iowa State on a postdoctoral fellowship in 1964 after receiving three degrees from Northwestern University. Two years later he became an assistant professor and gradually worked his way up to university professor, Iowa State’s highest designation for professors. In addition to his professorship, he is director of the Bessey Microscopy Facility — a center he helped design and develop.

Horner said it is an award that highlights a long career of contributions and accomplishments in research.

“Research evolves in the sense that you typically start in one area of research, and it expands to other areas of interests,” Horner said.

Horner is studying the male sterile systems of certain crop plants and studying inorganic structures that form inside cells.

“He’s so well known and well respected in the science field, not only botany but in microscopy. He’s affected and influenced so many people,” Pepper said. “He teaches more than he should, and publishes more than he has to. He goes at 190 percent.”