Celebrating Jim Carrington’s Legacy of Scientific Discovery and Leadership
After 14 years, President & CEO Jim Carrington, PhD will transition out of his role on October 1, leaving behind a legacy that has reshaped the Danforth Center. Under Jim’s leadership, the Center doubled its faculty and staff, drawing brilliant minds from 34 countries and cultivating a truly global community of science.
Jim’s tenure also brought extraordinary growth in funding and support. The Center secured more than $361 million in research funding and inspired donors to contribute over $400 million, fueling discoveries with the potential to change the world. He worked to expand the Center’s physical and scientific footprint with the addition of the 85,000-square-foot William H. Danforth Wing, the Greenhouse C range, and the Riney Family Greenhouse Complex extension to Greenhouse B. Jim’s vision led to the establishment of new research powerhouses, the Plant Phenotyping and Data Science Core Facilities and a 140-acre Field Research Site. Even the landscape surrounding the Center flourished under his watch thanks to the cultivation of a six-acre prairie that is now home to 72 native plant species and nearly 50 species of native insects.
Equally transformative was Jim’s commitment to innovation. During his leadership, 94 patents were filed, eight startups were spun out, the Startup Initiative sparked entrepreneurship in our scientists, and the Danforth Technology Company was launched—cementing the Center’s role as a driver of entrepreneurial growth in the region and beyond.
Jim’s impact is significant and lasting. He leaves the Center not just larger, but stronger, more connected, and better equipped to fulfill its mission of improving the human condition through plant science.
The Danforth Center community didn’t let his leadership come to an end without recognition. On Friday, September 12, the Langenberg Theater was filled with attendees of a “Carrington Lab Mini Symposium,” an event that brought together people from all chapters of Jim’s life to share stories and research about plants, viruses, and RNAs. The symposium included Jim’s family, the Danforth Center community, and 35 current and former Carrington Lab members from 11 states across the U.S.
Carrington Lab Mini Symposium
On Saturday, an even bigger celebration was in store as influential plant scientists, colleagues, family, friends, and leaders from across the St. Louis region gathered at the Danforth Center to honor Jim and his legacy. Over 300 people listened as speakers shared favorite memories of Jim, both in person and in video interviews.
Remarks and lively videos highlighted many aspects of Jim’s life—from his beginnings in plant science and how he met his wife Teri, to his growth as a leader making an impact at the Danforth Center.
Family, friends and colleagues packed the AT&T Auditorium to celebrate Jim Carrington’s leadership and legacy.
Planting the First Seeds
As a 19-year-old sophomore at University of California-Riverside, Jim was looking for a job and struggling to land anything when he finally heard back from a pizza joint. On the day he was supposed to start the job, he pulled up to the restaurant and turned off his car. Ten minutes passed, but he couldn’t bring himself to get out of the car and go inside. After 30 minutes contemplating the job, he drove away, knowing that it just didn’t feel right.
The next day, Jim got a call from the plant science department at the university asking if he would like a job washing dishes in a lab. “From the day I walked in,” Jim grinned, “I never left the plant science world.”
That first job would blossom into a long, rich career in plant science—one in which Jim has been a top researcher, treasured mentor, and, of course, the leader of the largest independent nonprofit plant science institution in the world, a designation that the Danforth Center earned under Jim’s leadership.
Accelerating Discovery
Current and former colleagues reflected on the profound influence Jim had on their careers. They recalled his “intense” leadership in the lab—a style that many scientists could find daunting, even uncomfortable, in the beginning. But over time, many came to see that intensity for what it truly was: a deep belief in their potential. Jim pushed them to aim higher, to ask bold questions others weren’t asking, and to step into challenges that once felt out of reach. What began as uncertainty often transformed into gratitude as they realized he wasn’t just managing a lab—he was shaping future leaders.
“Later I grew to appreciate his mentoring, even if I didn’t realize what he was doing at the time,” said Data Science Facility Director Noah Fahlgren, PhD.
President & CEO Jim Carrington listens during festivities celebrating his career and leadership on Saturday, September 13, 2025.
“Under Jim’s leadership, the Danforth Center decided to invest in the field of phenotyping, which really didn’t exist quite the way it does now,” Associate Member Malia Gehan, PhD, recalled. “Jim gave us the latitude, even though we weren’t very experienced in that space, to explore this new area of research. That type of latitude, you don’t often get as a scientist.”
Others spoke about Jim’s preference for building community over competition, noting that he makes a point to surround himself with good people and extended that strategy to the hiring process as he helped identify scientists to grow the Danforth Center’s faculty.
“The phone call I received from Jim to recruit me here to the Danforth Center started with a really interesting question,” recalled Member Meter Nusinow, PhD, “which was, ‘are you a fun guy?”
“One thing that is very clear is that Jim cares deeply about the mission of the Danforth Center and the people who work here,” said Member, Interim Co-Vice President of Research, & Saint Louis University Biology Professor Allison Miller, PhD. “During his tenure as President, he did everything in his power to build this organization into the international treasure that it is today. And he engaged and trained each of us along the way.”
Allison Miller reflects on the impact of Jim’s leadership.
“Jim has recruited really talented people who’ve moved from all over the world to work at the Danforth Center,” said Vice President for People & Culture Anna Dibble. “The people that Jim hires for are talented, smart, collaborative, and fun—it’s a great strategy for building a community that just continues to evolve and grow.”
“When I first started, there were two Principal Investigators (PIs) that were female,” said Malia. “Now you will see that the makeup of the Center is much, much different.”
Rooted in Vision
Beyond cultivating a solid community within the Danforth Center, Jim also worked to bolster the Danforth Center’s connections in St. Louis and beyond. During his tenure, the Danforth Center grew—more lab space, more facilities, more technology, and a Field Research Site.
“Jim understands that if you need to do breakthrough science, you need to have cutting-edge technology,” explained Associate Member Tessa Burch-Smith, PhD.
“Jim embedded the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center into the fabric of the St. Louis community,” said Danforth Center Board Member & Edward Jones Managing Partner Penny Pennington. “He understands that science doesn’t exist in isolation – it thrives in relationships. That perspective has been foundational to the Center’s success.”
“He was instrumental in helping establish the 39 North innovation district, a visionary hub that is creating a thriving ecosystem of agtech innovation and startups, right here in our backyard,” she continued. “39 North is bringing new jobs, new investment, new partnerships and a renewed sense of possibility. It has anchored St. Louis as a force in agtech and plant sciences.”
“Over the years, Jim has offered numerous opportunities for scientists to engage in activities like public presentations, panel discussions, interactions with the board, time spent with visitors, tours of the Center, and more,” said Member, Interim Co-Vice President of Research, & Division of Biological Sciences Professor at University of Missouri-Columbia Ketih Slotkin, PhD. “I think I speak on behalf of all Danforth Center scientists that we are always happy to do these things.”
Keith Slotkin highlights Jim’s focus on community engagement.
The Danforth Center also grew in reputation as Jim worked to build relationships with other major institutions in the region, including partnerships with Washington University, Saint Louis University, University of Missouri-Columbia, and more.
“Jim basically made a dream of mine a reality,” shared Danforth Center Assistant Member & Washington University Assistant Professor Kevin Cox, PhD. “I can now lead a research program in a lab, teach undergraduate students at a university, interact with faculty from all disciplines, and I’m doing this in the St. Louis area, in the city I was born and raised in.”
Continuing Jim’s Legacy
Before inviting Jim to the stage, Penny set the tone with a meaningful moment as she announced the creation of a new James C. Carrington Plant Science Fellowship—a lasting tribute that will empower future scientists at the Danforth Center to pursue discovery, spark innovation and make a global impact. The announcement drew heartfelt applause, a reflection of how deeply Jim’s legacy will continue to shape the next generation of plant science.
Board of Directors Chair & Edward Jones Managing Partner Penny Pennington presents Jim Carrington with a recognition of a new fellowship created in his honor.
Reflections
Jim expressed his deep gratitude for his time at the Danforth Center and all those who make it such a special place. He also shared some advice of his own.
“Success is not about being the smartest person. Everybody’s smart,” Jim shared. “Success is about envisioning something important you want to achieve, aligning yourself with really good people, not being afraid to solve problem after problem, and having fun while you’re doing it.”
“It’s the little things in life that make all the difference,” Jim reflected. “What if I would’ve taken that pizza job?”
The evening closed on a high note with a standing ovation that filled the room—an outpouring of gratitude and admiration for Jim’s remarkable legacy. As the formal program ended, the celebration was just beginning. Friends, colleagues, and admirers swapped stories, raised glasses, and filled the atrium with laughter—proof that Jim’s impact isn’t just in the science he’s championed, but in the community he’s built along the way.