Salk Professor Joanne Chory, PhD, described herself not simply by a field, but by a way of thinking. She was a developmental biologist and geneticist who used plants as her lens to understand life itself. By studying how plants grow, adapt, and thrive, she uncovered fundamental biological principles that reach far beyond the plant world, with insights that continue to inform human biology, medicine, and our understanding of how life responds to its environment.

Joanne’s discoveries reshaped modern biology. While she began her career with the joy of pursuing knowledge for its own sake, as Joanne’s science progressed, she saw a chance to also have an immediate impact on the world. As the founding director of Salk’s Harnessing Plants Initiative, she challenged scientists to think bigger and more boldly about their work. She pushed the idea that biology could help address one of humanity’s greatest challenges: climate change. In doing so, she permanently changed how researchers across disciplines think about the power and responsibility of science.

Equally central to Joanne’s legacy was how she worked and who she was. She challenged conventions, welcomed debate, and built deeply collaborative teams that crossed fields and hierarchies. She was vibrant, highly personable, funny, and known for making even the most intimidating ideas feel accessible. She was a tireless mentor and advocate. She believed science was strongest when many voices were heard, and she lived that belief every day. Even after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2004, Joanne continued to lead, mentor, and inspire with extraordinary determination and grace until her passing in 2024. Please read her obituary here.

Please donate to continue Joanne's legacy. Click the link below and choose your desired funding area from the dropdown.

• Endowed Lectureship in Memory of Joanne Chory: Help create and sustain a lectureship that will be held regularly at Salk, in perpetuity.
• Joanne Chory Legacy Fund: Celebrate Joanne’s legacy by contributing to an endowment in her honor that supports Salk research.
• Harnessing Plants Initiative: Support Joanne’s vision to overcome long-term threats to agriculture through the Harnessing Plants Initiative.

Click here to download the PDF for more information.

For any questions, please contact Dacia Samilo at (858) 453-4100 x2068 or dsamilo@salk.edu.