Southeastern Entomology awards presented in Little Rock, Arkansas
The Southeastern Branch of the Entomological Society of America (ESA) presented awards at a Joint Meeting between the Southeastern and Southwestern Branches in Little Rock, Arkansas, held March 3-7, 2012. The awardees are listed below.
2012 Distinguished Achievement Award in Extension -- DR. AMANDA C. HODGES of the Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, IFAS, has been selected for the 2012 Distinguished Achievement Award in Extension. Dr. Hodges has held a 100% Extension appointment since 2002, and she serves as Co-Associate Director of the Southern Plant Diagnostic Network, one of the five regional centers for the National Plant Diagnostic Network. In this Assistant Extension Scientist position, she coordinates First Detector education to assure proper surveillance and reporting of exotic arthropods, plant pathogens, nematodes and other emerging pests. She also conducts an extensive range of Extension activities in support of U.S. crop biosecurity. Dr. Hodges has developed a robust Extension program far in excess of the requirements of her assignment.
She designs and delivers innovative hands-on plant pest diagnostic workshops, and assists in expanding distance diagnostics in Florida, the Southern Region and the Caribbean. Moreover, she participates in a wide range of Extension activities that respond to new pest outbreaks, e.g., creating pest alerts, fact sheets, publications, posters, and other training materials. Her numerous and highly effective Extension publications have communicated critical information on a wide range of pestiferous insects and mites, and selected plant pathogens. Particularly notable are her national workshops on scale insect identification, how to conduct first detector training, how to prepare and submit samples for distance diagnostics, identification and management of thrips, common insect and disease problems in the landscape, and training for the State Agricultural Response Team. Dr. Hodges represents both the SPDN and NPDN in providing Extension training in pest detection and management, and her diagnostic workshops have provided training to more than 100 Extension agents and cooperators, and served as a model for the NPDN. This training resulted in new pest records, enhanced diagnostic capabilities, more extensive pest surveys, and increased collaboration between taxonomic experts and the Extension community. Dr. Hodges led a pioneering effort to develop the first e-learning pest-focused module for NPDN. Remarkably, her train-the-trainer approach has enabled many Extension agents to offer First Detector training workshops for their clientele. Her superb training modules and Extension publications are used extensively throughout the U.S., the Pacific and Caribbean. She frequently participates in webinars to contribute her knowledge and experience across this network. She continues to be an important collaborator with the statewide IPM program using up to date methods and technology. Dr. Hodges contributes to scientific and educational organizations by organizing symposia at ESA meetings and she is active in the Florida Entomological Society, Georgia Entomological Society, American Phytopathological Society, UF Entomology and Nematology Department, UF Extension program, and allied institutions, such as USDA and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry.
2011 Distinguished Achievement Award in Horticultural Entomology -- DR. GREGG S. NUESSLY, Associate Professor of Entomology at the University of Florida, Everglades Research and Education Center (EREC), Belle Glade, FL is the 2011 Southeastern Branch's recipient of the ESA Distinguished Achievement Award in Horticultural Entomology. He received a B.S. in Biology from the University of California, Irvine in 1978. The research for his M.S. in Entomology from the University of California, Riverside (1981) focused on evaluating the adopted natural enemies of an insect introduced from Asia for the biological control of Russian thistle. In 1986, he received his Ph.D in Entomology from Texas A&M University, College Station where he studied biotic and abiotic factors affecting Helicoverpa zea on east Texas cotton. He joined the University of Florida in 1989 following a 3-yr Research Entomologist position with the USDA-ARS in Brawley, CA studying the biology and control of sweetpotato whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) on cotton and vegetables. Working within one of the largest agricultural production counties in the US, he conducts pest management research, including host plant resistance, on a wide range of pests associated with fruiting, leafy green and leafy Brassica vegetables; sweet and field corn; sweet sorghum for biofuel; sugarcane; and turfgrass.
Activities acknowledged by this award are research and extension projects following his 2003 discovery of greenbug (Schizaphis graminum) severely damaging seashore pasaplum (SP) turfgrass in Belle Glade, Florida; a new pest-host plant association for the United States. He formed a multiagency research team to determine the ecology of greenbug associated with warm season turf grasses; evaluate control strategies to develop an IPM program for stakeholders; and screen available varieties and new breeding lines of SP and other warm season turfgrass types for resistance to greenbug. This insect represented a new virulent biotype that caused the stunting and premature death of all known greenbug-resistant varieties of small grains. Screening for resistance led to the release of a greenbug-resistant SP ('Aloha') and zoysia- and Bermuda-grass cultivars (non-dwarf types) that reduced the need for pesticide applications and exposure to golf course patrons and employees. Effective insecticide control strategies were identified and disseminated to golf course managers and sod producers through popular press and extension publications, and at private and public turfgrass field days to facilitate their adoption of the program. Based on new infestations that have appeared on plants grown in open ranges in southern Florida, greenbug now appears to be extending its host range to zoysia and Bermuda-grasses. Information on a second new aphid found on seashore paspalum, the rusty plum aphid (Hysteroneura setariae), was quickly disseminated at field days and on the EREC website.
Dr. Nuessly is the author or coauthor of 60 refereed publications, 130 peer-reviewed electronic publications and extension documents (not including abstracts), 5 germplasm and cultivar releases for sweet corn, celery and turfgrass, and has coauthored three book chapters. His research activities have been supported over the last 10 yr by $790K in direct grant support, donations, and in-kind support. He is actively involved with graduate student activities and committees in the ESA and the Florida Entomological Society. He served as acting editor of the Journal of the American Society of Sugar Cane Technologists and is currently the Associate Center Director of the EREC.
2012 Distinguished Achievement Award in Horticultural Entomology -- DR. EILEEN A. BUSS, Associate Professor of Entomology and Extension Specialist in Turfgrass and Ornamental Entomology in the Entomology and Nematology Department of the University of Florida, is the 2012 recipient of the Distinguished Achievement Award in Horticultural Entomology. Dr. Buss received her BS in Zoology in 1993 at Michigan State University and her MS in Entomology from the same institution in 1996. She earned her Ph. D. at the University of Kentucky in 1999. She began work at the University of Florida in the Turfgrass and Landscape Program in 2001, and works effectively with people in many segments of the Green Industry. She has earned the respect of her clientele, that includes turfgrass managers, landscapers, and nursery personnel, as well as state regulators, extension staff, Master Gardeners, and the general public. Dr. Buss has successfully reorganized and updated the university's turf and landscape entomology program and disseminates information using traditional fact sheets and trade publications, and also with the use of distance learning, social media, podcasts, and webcasts. Her extension publications are accessible with well-chosen color diagnostic photos and up-to-date information. In addition to a well-respected extension program, Dr. Buss also conducts high quality applied research on pests such billbugs, sugarcane grubs, and oak scales, investigating the biology of newly introduced pests and the compatibility of various management strategies. Dr. Buss has served in a variety of leadership roles within her department, chairing or participating on search, awards, and mentoring committees, and as an organizing member of pest management summits. She has also represented her department on the faculty senate and at events throughout the state. Dr Buss is active in the SEB-ESA, serving on the Nominating, Membership, and Local Arrangements committees, and in various roles in the Florida Entomological Society. Past awards include the Extension award of the Florida Entomological Society and two UF/IFAS Silver Image awards for educational materials.
2012 Distinguished Achievement Award in Teaching -- DR. LINDA HOOPER-BÙI, Associate Professor of Entomology, Louisiana State University, is the recipient of the 2012 Distinguished Achievement Award in Teaching. She received her BA in Biology at California State University, Long Beach in 1991. She earned her MS and Ph.D. in Entomology at the University of California, Riverside in 1995 and 1998, respectively. Since she began at the Entomology Department of LSU in 1998, Dr. Hooper- Bùi has been active in educating undergraduates from many departments as well as entomology graduate students. She has developed or co-developed or taught 14 classes during that time. In addition to classroom teaching, Dr. Bùi has mentored undergraduate researchers, obtaining university grants to support their work. After the students learned proper scientific research methods, they presented their projects orally and/or prepared written publications. Several have won awards for their work. Dr. Bùi introduced service learning to her entomology class, and both she and her students have been awarded for their projects. Dr. Bùi is willing to take risks and try new methods for teaching, and her insect ecology class has been certified as a "communication intensive" course, earning a special designation on student transcripts. She has introduced "wikis" in insect ecology to teach students collaborative writing skills, and uses a variety of methods and tools to measure student learning, and adjust her teaching during the term. Dr. Bùi's teaching methods are widely appreciated, as evidenced by the number of invited presentations she has given at the university and at professional meetings, including ESA annual meetings. Dr. Bùi serves on curriculum committees at the department and college level, and the college committee to improve teaching evaluations.
2012 Recognition Award in Insect Physiology, Biochemistry, And Toxicology -- DR. JULIÁN F. HILLYER, Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences at Vanderbilt University and the Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health, is the 2012 recipient of the Recognition Award in Insect Physiology, Biochemistry and Toxicology. Dr Hillyer received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Chicago in 1996 with a major in Biology and his MS from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1999, majoring in Veterinary Science. Dr Hillyer was awarded his Ph.D. from the same institution in 2004 with a major in Comparative Biomedical Sciences. He has established a productive lab, has been a magnet for many gifted students, and has contributed to the advancement of the field of mosquito circulatory physiology and the cellular and molecular bases of insect immunity. Dr. Hillyer's group has developed state-of-the-art imaging and molecular methodologies for characterizing the in vivo - real-time response of mosquito hemocytes to invading pathogens. They have also developed superior visual techniques that revealed the role of the ventral abdomen in hemolymph propulsion by visualizing the real time action of heart muscles and by tracking hemolymph movement throughout the mosquito. Also notable are his contributions in molecular biology and biochemistry including his research on the peritrophic matrix formation, global transcriptomic profiling, and salivary gland biology. Dr. Hillyer's group recently discovered that members of a salivary gland protein family, named SGS, are secreted with mosquito saliva and are highly immunogenic, and collaborative work has been conducted related to the cellular expression of the sclerotizing neurohormone bursicon in adult insects. In all of his projects he demonstrates rigorous critical thinking as well as a talent in the concise formulation of complex concepts. Dr Hillyer has served on undergraduate Honors Committees as well as graduate committees, trained medical students in research and mentored high school students. Dr. Hillyer is active in several professional societies including ESA. An image taken by one of his graduate students while working under an NSF grant was awarded first place in the Nikon Small World Photomicrography 2010.
2012 Award For Excellence in Integrated Pest Management -- DR. DAVID SHAPIRO-ILAN, Research Entomologist and lead scientist, USDA-ARS Southeastern Fruit and Tree Nut Research Laboratory in Byron GA, is the 2012 recipient of the Award for Excellence in Integrated Pest Management. Dr. Shapiro-Ilan received his BS in Biology in 1984 at the University of Michigan, his MS in Entomology from Louisiana State University in 1989, and his Ph. D. in Entomology at the Iowa State University in 1994. He began work at the SE Fruit and Tree Nut Research Lab in 2000, and has established himself as a leader in research on the management of agricultural pests using microbial pesticides, especially entomopathogenic nematodes and fungi. His research focuses on developing alternative pest management methods for peach and pecan pests, and his collaborative skills have allowed him to transfer information gained through basic biological research into practical systems that are acceptable to growers. Dr. Shapiro-Ilan's research has resulted in the integration of numerous practices including the use of entomopathogenic nematodes for the management of peachtree borer, citrus weevil, pecan weevil, and plum curculio, and the improved selection, production, and delivery of entomopathogens. In addition to these specific targets, Shapiro-Ilan has had broad impact on incorporating biological control into IPM through discovery of new biocontrol agents, and novel approaches in production and application as detailed above. These discoveries and novel techniques have been adopted by biocontrol producers and growers in various cropping systems. This work has also resulted in over 100 refereed publications and four patents, with additional patents pending. Dr. Shapiro-Ilan has or is currently serving on the editorial board, as an associate editor or subject editor of several professional journals. In addition to his position with USDA-ARS, he has adjunct professor appointments in the Department of Entomology, University of Georgia and the Department of Biology at Fort Valley State University and serves as a mentor to minority students, introducing them to the field of insect pathology. He has taken leadership roles within his professional societies, regional projects and working groups, and was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship.
2012 Recognition Award in Urban Entomology -- DR. GREGG HENDERSON, the Paul K. Adams Professor of Urban Entomology at the Louisiana State University AgCenter has been selected to receive the 2012 Recognition Award in Urban Entomology. He received his BS degree in 1976 from Rutgers University with a double major in Biology and Psychology, and his MS degree from Washington State University in 1985, majoring in Entomology. He earned his Ph.D. in Entomology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1989. Dr. Henderson conducts research on termites, ants, cockroaches, bed bugs, ticks, and fleas, developing baits, monitors, and new insecticides. In addition to research, he devotes significant time to outreach projects that include presentations, home inspections, and insect identification. A dynamic speaker, Dr. Henderson has been invited to present at 33 professional meetings, several universities, and over 200 trade/professional meetings. He has published over 100 refereed papers, 4 book chapters, and over 75 non-refereed articles. The topics of these papers range from insect-fungus interactions to the chemistry of plant derivatives to termite ecology, behavior, nutrition and control. Dr. Henderson takes an ecological approach to his work, which has led him to be involved in the areawide control of termites recognizing the need for a partnership between industry, government, and people. His spirit of cooperation has involved him in a project to stabilize levees for flood mitigation using vetiver grass. His work has resulted in 20 patents, and he has been awarded over $6.5 million in grants. Dr. Henderson teaches classes and seminars at the graduate and undergraduate level and teaches classes to prepare pest control operators. He has advised 14 graduate students at the M.S. and Ph.D. level. He is a past recipient of the SEB-ESA award in Physiology, Biochemistry, and Toxicology, the Orkin recognition award, the Editors' choice award for Outstanding Paper in the American Entomologist, and was selected as the first Paul K. Adams professor. Dr. Henderson actively serves his department, having coached the Linnaean games team, and served as adviser to the entomology club and judging science fairs and 4-H presentations. He served as secretary and vice president of his ESA subsection, and a moderator and judge for student presentations. He recently served as guest editor for a special issue of the journal Psyche.
2012 Recognition Award in Entomology -- DR. B. ROGERS LEONARD, the Jack B. Hamilton Regents Chair in Cotton Production at the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, is the 2012 recipient of the Southeastern Branch ESA Recognition Award in Entomology. He received his BS in Agronomy in 1984 at Louisiana State University, his MS in Entomology in 1987 at LSU, and his Ph.D. at the same institution, majoring in Entomology with a minor in Agronomy. Dr. Leonard has been an active research scientist for over 22 years with the LSU AgCenter. His initial appointments were associated with cotton IPM, but within a few years he had to broaden his work to include research and an extension appointment on all field crops in NE Louisiana. His research accomplishments in cotton IPM and demonstrations of leadership prompted his promotion to the J. Hamilton Regents Chair in Cotton Production. Dr. Leonard is known for his grantsmanship, number of invited presentations (111), number of students advised/mentored 29 PhD, 32 MS), and his research. His work has encompassed insecticide resistance management (IRM), mechanisms of Bt resistance, the role of larval behavior to better understand the efficacy of Bt crops (or lack thereof), and collaborative work with the F2 screen to document Bt resistance in lepidopteran pests. In addition to the direct benefit to growers, Dr Leonard has established a legacy of influence, via his graduates, who are now successful in academia, industry and government. Dr. Leonard has consistently published in high-quality refereed journals (>120 to date; 24 papers in past 3 years), which has led to numerous invited talks, and media interviews. He has been an active leader in the SEB, ESA, university, and commodity-based IPM groups. For the past 3 years, he has been active in leading the largest section of the ESA (Plant-Insect Ecosystems); this year he serves as President of P-IE. Dr. Leonard's work has been recognized with numerous awards for student and stakeholder mentoring, as well as service, research, and extension. He was named to the Louisiana Agricultural Consultants Association - Louisiana Hall of Fame 2009 in recognition of his work.
2012 John Henry Comstock Award for Outstanding Ph.D. Student -- JULIEN BEUZELIN attended the University of Rennes 1, France where he received a B.S. in cell biology & physiology. In his undergraduate experience, he studied nematodes, aphids, and pathogens attacking vegetable, melon, and carrot production. Julien received his M.S. in crop protection from the École Nationale Supérieure Agronomique de Rennes, France. For his M.S. research, he worked with Drs. T. E. Reagan (Louisiana State University) and L. T. Wilson (Texas A&M University), assessing on-farm efficacy of reduced-risk insecticides and aspects of biological control for sugarcane borer management in sugarcane and rice. Julien recently completed his doctoral studies in the Department of Entomology at Louisiana State University with a minor in applied statistics. His dissertation research under Dr. Reagan focused on ecology and pest management of stem borers of sugarcane and rice, and involved extensive stakeholder interactions with farmers and extension agents. Research included on-farm and greenhouse non-crop host, cultural practice, and hurricane impact studies. Julien also studied sugarcane cultivar resistance to aphids, insecticide resistance in the sugarcane borer, and induced resistance to the fall armyworm in conventional and transgenic cotton. Since beginning his Ph.D. studies in 2006, he has published 17 peer-reviewed research articles, 11 Arthropod Management Tests reports, and numerous extension papers. Awards include the LSU Department of Entomology L.D. Newsom Outstanding Ph.D. Student and ESA President's Prize.
2012 Kirby L. Hays Award Outstanding M.S. Student -- BLAKE EMERSON WILSON, a native of Mandeville, LA, received his BS in Biology from Louisiana State University in May of 2009. While an undergraduate, Blake worked part time in various fields of biology including aquaculture, veterinary pathology, and fisheries ecology. He began developing an interest in Entomology as a lab assistant in Dr. Gene Reagan's sugarcane program where he was encouraged to pursue a Master of Science in the Department of Entomology at LSU.
Under the guidance of Dr. Reagan in Baton Rouge, LA and Dr. Alan Showler at the USDA-ARS Kika de La Garza Subtropical Research Station in Weslaco, TX, Blake conducted the majority of his thesis research working with sugarcane growers in the Lower Rio Grande Valley during 2010. Blake's thesis research involved greenhouse and field studies evaluating insecticidal management, larval behavior, and host plant resistance to the Mexican rice borer in sugarcane. Blake has also been active in extension activities, participating in sugarcane field days, grower meetings and county agent training sessions. His work is already having a positive impact on sugarcane growers in Texas and Louisiana. While Blake was a student, he served as president of the Entomology Club at LSU, and was an active participant in ESA student competitions including the Linnaean Games and the Student Debate. Blake received his M.S. in Entomology in May of 2011, and is currently continuing to conduct research in sugarcane entomology at LSU.
Blake plans to continue to be active in the scientific community conducting entomological research and making meaningful contributions to agriculture in Louisiana.
2011 Robert T. Gast Award Best Ph.D. Oral Presentation, Annual SEB Meeting -- JULIEN BEUZELIN attended the University of Rennes 1, France where he received a B.S. in cell biology & physiology. In his undergraduate experience, he studied nematodes, aphids, and pathogens attacking vegetable, melon, and carrot production. Julien received his M.S. in crop protection from the École Nationale Supérieure Agronomique de Rennes, France. For his M.S. research, he worked with Drs. T. E. Reagan (Louisiana State University) and L. T. Wilson (Texas A&M University), assessing on-farm efficacy of reduced-risk insecticides and aspects of biological control for sugarcane borer management in sugarcane and rice. Julien recently completed his doctoral studies in the Department of Entomology at Louisiana State University with a minor in applied statistics. His dissertation research under Dr. Reagan focused on ecology and pest management of stem borers of sugarcane and rice, and involved extensive stakeholder interactions with farmers and extension agents. Research included on-farm and greenhouse non-crop host, cultural practice, and hurricane impact studies. Julien also studied sugarcane cultivar resistance to aphids, insecticide resistance in the sugarcane borer, and induced resistance to the fall armyworm in conventional and transgenic cotton. Since beginning his Ph.D. studies in 2006, he has published 17 peer-reviewed research articles, 11 Arthropod Management Tests reports, and numerous extension papers. Awards include the LSU Department of Entomology L.D. Newsom Outstanding Ph.D. Student and ESA President's Prize.
2011 Southeastern Branch Student Award, Best M.S. Oral Presentation, Annual SEB Meeting -- JESSICA MOORE-PARKER from the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center's Department of Entomology was the recipient of the 2011 Outstanding M.S. Oral Paper Presentation titled, "Developing a no-choice feeding field protocol to assess stink bug injury to soybean seed."
Jessica is from Quemado, TX; where she grew up in a rural agricultural community. She realized her interest in entomology after graduating from high school in 2004 by working at the Kunafin insectary rearing parasitic wasps and green lacewings. This prompted her to earn a B.S. degree in Entomology at Texas A&M University completing her degree in May of 2008. As an undergraduate student she gained experience as a research technician in Dr. Patricia Pietrantonio's laboratory where she supported bollworm insecticide resistance surveys. She also assisted Dr. Bradley Hopkins with his PhD research. After graduation, she obtained a summer research position with the USDA-ARS in College Station, TX working with Dr. Charles Suh studying the within-plant distribution of cotton fleahopper adults and nymphs, longevity of adult fleahoppers on various diets, and effectiveness of various action treatment thresholds.
Jessica started her M.S. program at Louisiana State University in June of 2009 and is working with Dr. B. Rogers Leonard. Her research characterizes the pod and seed damage produced by stink bug species of economic importance in soybean. The goal of this project is to improve soybean IPM tactics in Louisiana.
2011 Outstanding Ph.D. Poster, Annual SEB Meeting -- VIRNA SAENZ, from North Carolina State University, was recipient of the 2011 Outstanding Ph.D. Student Display Award for "Bed bug population genetic structure in apartment buildings and a survey of Bartonella henselae in U.S. bed bug populations." Virna was born and raised in Chimbote, Peru. She received her B.S in Agriculture from the Escuela Agricola Panamericana, Zamorano in Honduras and her M.S in Entomology at the University of Kentucky. Her research with Dr. Lee Townsend focused on the oviposition behavior of tree-hole mosquitoes. Virna is currently a Ph.D. student at North Carolina State University under the advisement of Dr. Ed Vargo and Dr. Coby Schal. Her Ph.D. research focuses on bed bug population genetics, aggregation behavior and disease transmission.
2011 Outstanding M.S. Poster, Annual SEB Meeting -- EUTYCHUS KARIUKI was the winner of the M.S. Graduate student SEB M.S. Poster competition, with his poster entitled "Effect of light intensity on distribution and herbivory activity of Gratiana boliviana along the light intensity gradient." Eutychus completed his thesis working on Tropical soda apple (TSA) Solanum viarum-mediated competition among insect herbivores via induced resistance. The specific objective was to determine if previous feeding by Tortoise beetle had adverse effects on beet armyworm and thrips, resulting in reduced oviposition, preference for induced foliage and decreased performance and survival on induced foliage. The Tortoise beetle Gratiana boliviana is currently used as a biological control agent of TSA in the US. This research provided more information on TSA-mediated competition among insect herbivores and the impact of this competition on TSA as a host/reservoir to crop pests and crop disease vectors.
Some of the findings in his study: 1) determined that feeding of Gratiana boliviana 3rd instars on the third leaf of TSA had a substantial effect on the survival of beet armyworm neonates; 2) showed that feeding action of G. boliviana on TSA had no significant influence on WFT host choice; and 3) that the biological control agent G. boliviana provides better control on unshaded plants than on shaded plants, and it is more likely to have a greater impact in terms of defoliation. Mr. Kariuki started a Ph.D. working on biological control of Hydrilla in Florida springs. Drs. Raymond Hix (FAMU) and Jim Cuda (UF) are his Ph.D. major advisers. He has been a member of the FAMU Linnaean Games Team and currently serves as the FAMU representative on the SEB Student Affairs Committee.
2011 Outstanding B.S. Oral Presentation, Annual SEB Meeting -- JATAYAH SHEED was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and raised by a single mother in Perry, Georgia. Jatayah is the oldest of her four siblings. She is completing her studies in Biology and Spanish at Fort Valley State University in Fort Valley, Georgia. Her research, entitled "Activity in trans-Cinnamic Acid, a Bioactive Component of P. luminescens", attempted to determine if the trans-Cinnamic Acid has antifungal activity against peach scab. The research was conducted in Byron, Georgia under the mentorship of Dr. David Shapiro and was funded by the HBCU-UP grant that was awarded to Dr. George Mbata.
Provided by Entomological Society of America