Dr. Tom Warkentin (PhD’92)
Lifetime Achievement Award
As the highest honour presented by the University of Saskatchewan Alumni Association, this award recognizes an alumnus/alumna for an outstanding lifetime of personal and professional accomplishments and contributions to the social, cultural, and economic well-being of society in their field(s) of endeavour.
A renowned plant breeder, Dr. Tom Warkentin (PhD’92) has been instrumental in meeting the evolving needs of the agricultural sector, particularly as demand for plant-based protein continues to rise around the world. Through his breeding program, Warkentin is ensuring farmers have access to plant varieties that are not only productive but aligned with industry standards for food processing and nutrition. His work also addresses major agronomic challenges, such as root rot in peas—a disease that significantly affects crop yields in Western Canada.
Warkentin earned his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and Master of Science degrees at the University of Manitoba before coming to the University of Saskatchewan (USask), where he earned his PhD in 1992. In 1999, he joined USask as an associate professor and in 2008 he became a full professor. Today, at the Crop Development Centre (CDC) within USask’s College of Agriculture and Bioresources, Warkentin’s research is centered on developing high-performing pea and soybean cultivars tailored for Western Canada and northern U.S. regions. He also leads the Field Pea and Soybean Crop Breeding and Genetics program as the Ministry of Agriculture Strategic Research Program (SRP) Chair. With a strong foundation in both conventional and genomic breeding techniques, Warkentin aims to enhance crop resilience, disease resistance, and end-use quality.
A key focus of Warkentin’s research is increasing protein concentration in field peas, a trait that is vital for the expanding plant-based food industry. As peas become more common in products like meat alternatives, protein drinks, and sports supplements, his work supports both the efficiency of protein extraction and the nutritional value of these products. In addition to his contributions to pea breeding, Warkentin is advancing soybean development for short-season climates, having released a new variety and continuing to build a robust breeding pipeline. Through these efforts, he is helping to secure the future of sustainable agriculture in regions with limited growing seasons.
Warkentin’s outstanding research is not only making a significant difference on plant health but on human and animal health as well. One of his notable achievements, for example, is the development of low-phytate peas. Phytate, a molecule found in peas and other grains, binds to iron, making it less available for absorption by humans and animals. By breeding peas with reduced phytate levels, Warkentin’s team has increased the bioavailability of iron, which was demonstrated in a recent study involving chickens, where the low-phytate peas improved blood hemoglobin levels compared to regular peas. Additionally, Warkentin’s team is collaborating with researchers in kinesiology, nutrition, and food science to test the low-phytate peas in a study with female athletes, focusing on improving iron levels and exercise performance.
During his tenure with the CDC, Warkentin has released 196 refereed publications, and his research has been cited more than 14,000 times. Warkentin has also given 477 presentations at the farm, provincial, national, and international levels, showing his ability to address a wide range of audiences. In 2013, he was presented with the Outstanding Achievement Award by the North American Pulse Improvement Association. In 2014, he was honoured with the Pulse Promoter of the Year award from BASF and Saskatchewan Pulse Growers. His research excellence was further acknowledged in 2016, when he received the Dean’s Award for Research Excellence from the College of Agriculture and Bioresources at USask. More recently, in 2025, Warkentin was awarded the Canadian Pulse and Special Crops Trade Association (CPSC) Industry Appreciation Award for his significant contributions to Canada’s pulse and special crops industry. In 2026, CDC Meadow, a yellow pea variety developed by Warkentin, Dr. Albert Vandenberg (PhD’87), and team at the CDC, was named Canada’s Seed of the Year in Seed World Canada magazine. Also in 2026, Warkentin received the Distinguished Agrologist Award from the Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists, which is presented to a Saskatchewan agrologist for professional distinction associated with outstanding service and worthy contributions to agriculture, bioresources, food, or the environment.