Anne Simon
Anne Simon created Silvec Biologics with her brother, Rafael Simon, in 2019 to stop citrus greening disease. This bacterial infection has decimated more than 90% of oranges, grapefruits and other fruits in Florida since it was first documented in the United States in 2005. Greening disease has also spread extensively in Asia, the Americas and Africa and threatens to kill all citrus trees in the next two decades.
While some temporary fixes exist, such as injecting medical-grade antibiotics into the trees, Simon instead vaccinates them using a ribonucleic acid (RNA) virus to deliver antimicrobial peptides; lab testing has shown it to be effective, and field testing is underway. The technology could also have applications for row crops such as wheat and soybeans, reducing the need for fungicides and pesticides.
Simon’s work on viruses has put the department on the map nationally and internationally since she joined UMD in 2000. She created and has led the department’s virology program, making important discoveries in the burgeoning field of RNA biology. In addition, she has collaborated with scientists at the National Institutes of Health and established an inter-institutional graduate program, attracting top-notch students.
“The University of Maryland has been a leader in virology research thanks to faculty members like Anne Simon, and her generous support through this bequest will help us immeasurably to expand our work in this vital area,” said Amitabh Varshney, dean of the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences. “Our research in virology and related areas is emblematic of our drive to tackle the world’s most pressing grand challenges.”
Outside of academia, Simon lent her expertise to “The X-Files,” Fox’s popular 1990s sci-fi series (revived for one season in 2018) about FBI agents investigating the paranormal, giving its twisted tales a grounding in reality. Creator Chris Carter is a family friend (her father, Mayo Simon, was a Hollywood screenwriter) and turned to her to ensure the right microscopes were used and alien germs behaved somewhat plausibly.
Written by Karen Shih