The Western Society of Weed Science (WSWS) named Dr. Joe DiTomaso as a Fellow of the Society at the 69^th annual meeting held March 7-10, 2016 in Albuquerque, NM.

Since 1995, Joe has been a Cooperative Extension Specialist and Professor at UC Davis where his statewide research and extension program focuses on weeds of rangelands and non-crop systems. In bestowing on Joe the highest honor of the Society, the WSWS membership acknowledged his incredibly active career as a weed scientist and leadership in weed science at the state, region, and national levels.

From a research and extension standpoint, the awards committee noted that Joe has published over 140 journal publications, 37 book chapters, two books, and hundreds of other scientific and extension publications all while routinely delivering about 50 in-person extension presentations each year. Joe's contribution as a leader was also highlighted in the award including his service as president of the WSWS and the Weed Science Society of America. Joe has also had an impact on the future of weed science after serving as the major professor for 25 graduate students and formally and informally mentoring weed science colleagues in California and around the country during his career.

Joe's leadership, contributions, and impact have previously been recognized; a partial list of these honors includes: Lifetime Achievement Award (Cal-IPC), Fellow (WSSA), Outstanding Extension (WSSA), Outstanding Weed Scientist (WSWS), Award of Excellence (CWSS), Distinguished Service Award (UCANR), as well as several awards for outstanding research or extension publications.

One of the support letters summed up Joe's nomination by saying “Joe's CV reads like that of several people and few of us know how he is able to do so much. In my view he is one of the most dedicated, hardworking, and successful weed scientists in the country”. The weed science community and the Dept. of Plant Science at UC Davis congratulate Joe DiTomaso, Fellow of the Western Society of Weed Science.