Esmaeil Fallahi Received ISHS Fellow Award
The horticultural society honored the researcher for his decades of contributions to fruit science.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Botany
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On August 26, the International Society for Horticultural Science presented the Fellow Award to Esmaeil Fallahi during the 32nd International Horticultural Congress in Kyoto. The distinction recognizes his lengthy career in fruit research, including over three decades leading programs at the University of Idaho.
Why it matters
This award marks a high-level recognition of Fallahi’s sustained contributions to global horticultural science. It highlights a career spanning nearly four decades of academic leadership in fruit research across multiple universities.
The fellowship status is exclusive, with the total number of living ISHS Fellows capped at 1% of the society’s roughly 70,000 members. Fallahi’s nomination was approved by all 78 ISHS member countries and supported by eight individual nations.
The players
Esmaeil Fallahi
A retired horticultural scientist who directed fruit research programs at the University of Idaho and the University of Arizona for over 38 years.
International Society for Horticultural Science
A global scientific organization comprising approximately 70,000 members across 78 countries dedicated to advancing horticultural research.
The details
The International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS) — a global network of scientists and researchers focused on plant production and management — presents this fellowship in recognition of outstanding contributions to the field. Esmaeil Fallahi directed the University of Idaho fruit research program for more than 33 years, largely based at the Parma Research and Extension Center, before retiring three years ago. His career also included a five-year tenure leading fruit research programs at the University of Arizona.
Timeline
Aug. 26, 2026: The ISHS presented the Fellow Award to Fallahi.
The Tech Race
The award was presented during the 32nd International Horticultural Congress, which serves as the primary forum for global plant research. It places Fallahi’s work within the context of an international scientific community that prioritizes long-term contributions to crop production and pomology.
This award highlights the ongoing academic recognition of foundational research that supports the commercial fruit industry. The findings from Fallahi’s three decades of work continue to inform current agricultural practices at research centers and extension programs.
The takeaway
The fellowship acknowledges a legacy of research that spanned three decades at the University of Idaho. The next milestone for the field will be the 33rd International Horticultural Congress, where new research directions in fruit science will be presented by the next generation of scientists.
Further reading
For more on developments in global plant science, explore the Botany archive.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Capital Press.
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