This Key Lecture series is made possible by a bequest to the AGA from Dr. Wilhemine Key in support of the implementation of genetics for human welfare and improvement. Dr. Key earned her Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in 1901, and taught at New Mexico Normal University and Belmont College before joining the faculty of Lombard College. Sewell Wright studied under her as a senior at Lombard. She later worked as a eugenics field worker, carrying out pedigree studies of pioneer families that had emigrated from Germany to Pennsylvania in the late 18th century.

The 2010 Key Lecturer is Oliver Ryder. Dr Ryder is the recipient of the Kleberg Genetics Chair at the Center for Reproduction of Endangered Species, Zoological Society of San Diego. He is a member of Specialist Groups of the Species Survival Commission of World Conservation Union: Equid Specialist Group, Captive Breeding Specialist Group, and Re-introduction Specialists Group. Dr. Ryder is Executive Vice President of the AGA.

Previous Key lecturers are:

2009 Annie Schmidt
2008 Mariana Wolfner
2007 Sally Otto
2006 Allen Orr
2005 June Nasrallah
2004 Walter Gehring
2003 James F. Crow
2002 Barbara Schaal
2001 Masatoshi Nei
2000 Terry Burke
1999 Walter Fitch
1998 Jeffrey Palmer
1997 John Avise
1996 Hampton Carson
1995 Fotis Kafatos
1994 Michael Clegg
1993 Charles S. Levings III
1992 Theodore R. F. Wright
1991 Margaret G. Kidwell
1990 William Provine
1989 Normal Giles
1988 Allan Wilson
1987 Robert W. Allard
1986 Bruce Wallace
1985 Francisco J. Ayala
1984 Harry Harris
1983 Ray D. Owen
1982 James V. Neel
1981 Clement L. Markert
1980 Edward O. Wilson
1979 Victor A. McKusick
1978 D. K. Balyaev
1977 Margery Shaw
1975 Jack R. Harlan
1974 Walter E. Heston
1972 James F. Crow
1971 Harold H. Smith
1970 Marvin S. Legator
1969 John H. Heller
1968 Arno G. Motulsky
1967 Samuel H. Boyer
1966 Leslie C. Dunn
1965 Rollin D. Hotchkiss
1962 Sheldon C. Reed