On March 2, Dean Staci Simonich of the College of Agricultural Sciences announced the 2026 inductees to the Diamond Pioneer Agricultural Career Achievement Registry, which included Microbiology emeritus professor Peter Bottomley.

The Career Achievement Registry honors individuals with significant lifetime contributions to agriculture, natural resources, and the people of Oregon. One of the membership qualifications is that the inductee has pioneered in an area of Oregon's agriculture or natural resources, has made innovative changes, and has performed public service that has helped make Oregon a better place to live.

Dr. Bottomley was recognized for his contributions to the science of soil microbiology, focusing on research in microbial ecology and microbial physiology including: nitrogen cycling in soils; population ecology of soil bacteria; physiology and ecology of nitrification; and the genomics of nitrifying bacteria. The award also honors his years of service to the departments of Microbiology and Crop and Soil Science.

The inductees were honored with a luncheon on April 14 at the CH2M Hill Alumni Center Ballroom.