Standing Committee Nominations 
Spring 2025

I am an associate professor in the Department of Entomology, and I have been at Cornell since 2020. My research focuses on applying ecological and evolutionary theory to better understand the effects of environmental variation on host-pathogen interactions, host fitness, and mosquito-borne pathogen transmission, especially in the context of our changing climate. I teach ENTOM 2100 Plagues and People, a CALS Signature undergraduate course, ENTOM 7670 Professional Development for Entomology, ENTOM / BIOEE 4000 / 6000 Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Diseases, and journal clubs each semester. At the departmental level, I have served on Entomology's graduate admissions committee, the Awards committee, the Sakaria Insect Physiology endowed chair search committee, and I am a mentor to one of our junior faculty. At the university level, I have served on the Biosafety Level III Review Committee, and I have joined the Faculty Advisory Committee on Athletics and Physical Education. Externally, I am the chair of the National Institute of Health's Transmission of Vector-borne and Zoonotic Diseases study section, and I serve as a technical expert to the World Health Organization.

I am interested in serving on the CALS Faculty Executive Committee to better understand the business of CALS, as well as the land grant mission. Further, I want to be of service to CALS, the deans, and the university during these next four years, which could bring unique challenges that our faculty, our trainees, CALS, and the larger university will need to navigate.

• Courtney Murdock's Bio

I’m an Associate Professor of Practice in the Department of Landscape Architecture and a licensed landscape architect in NY and NJ. I’ve served CALS and the university in many capacities over the last nine years, including as a Faculty Senator and as a member of the University Assembly. I am currently a member of the Cornell Botanic Garden’s Advisory Council and a member of the Campus Planning Committee. I also serve as one of the faculty advisors for the Cornell ASLA Student Chapter. Outside of my duties in CALS, I serve on the NYS Board for Landscape Architecture, providing guidance for my profession. I received my MLA from Cornell University and practiced professionally for 13 years before returning to Cornell to teach. I understand and believe in the process of representative governance, and I know the strength of CALS lies in its diversity of thought and perspectives. I would be honored to serve and would strive to bring a designer’s perspective to the Faculty Executive Committee.

• Val Aymer's Bio

I would like to serve on the CALS Faculty Executive Committee to advance the CALS mission and provide information exchange across departments, campuses and organizational levels.

I am a senior extension associate based at Cornell AgriTech in Geneva.  I have worked in the Department of Food Science since 2008.  I support the fermented and distilled beverage industries through analysis, training, pilot-scale production and sustainability resources.

My role puts me in frequent contact with regional extension personnel across New York State and I co-chair a Program Work Team that includes researchers studying every aspect of grape production, from genetics and plant protection through wine chemistry and sensory science.  In pursuit of products that better leverage seasonal crops like rhubarb or re-use waste from Greek yogurt or maple syrup production, I’ve been able to work with colleagues in programs and departments in Ithaca, Geneva and beyond.  I believe these types of collaboration are a fundamental strength of our college, and the ability to share perspectives and ideas between disciplines provides inspiration and resilience.  I would love the opportunity to facilitate communication across even more areas of our college.

• Chris Gerling's Bio

After graduating with my MS/PhD from CALS I was the CEO of a winery for 20 years, and life came full circle when I joined the Dyson School faculty three years ago as a Professor of Practice in the Grand Challenges Program. While I was working in industry, I also served two terms on the CALS Dean’s Advisory Council, straddling the administrations of both Kathryn Boor and Ben Houlton. The experience taught me the importance of representative service to our academic community, championing the wellbeing of students, and upholding Cornell’s high level of academic rigor in everything that we do. If elected, I would be honored to serve and contribute meaningfully to the CALS Faculty Executive Committee.

• Trent Preszler's Bio

I have been a member of CALS for 25 years, and during these two and a half decades, I have viewed the college from various academic perspectives: as an international graduate student, as a postdoctoral candidate, as a lecturer, and now as a senior lecturer. Throughout my teaching experience with nearly 1000 undergraduates each year, advising three undergraduate student clubs, training undergraduate and graduate teaching assistants, and supervising educational postdoctoral candidates, I have become acutely aware of both the strengths and untapped opportunities CALS offers in training the next generation in agriculture and life sciences. My research experience in entomology, ecology, and biology education equips me to understand the needs of researchers at every level, from undergraduate research assistants to large laboratories. As the co-chair of the “Support of Teaching and Learning” CALS committee, a member of the Biology Curriculum Committee, and a contributor to the new CALS Learning Outcomes, I became familiar with the efforts necessary to help the college operate smoothly, implement policies, and respond to emerging issues. Hands-on experiences, such as securing approval for a new minor (Science Communication and Public Engagement) or assisting the vice-provost in developing plans for transitioning to online teaching at the onset of the pandemic, have deepened my understanding of procedures and policies at the college level. I have served on CFEC for the past three years and would like to return to serve the college in this capacity. If elected, I will leverage my experience, enthusiasm, and common sense to continue supporting the members of the college on the Faculty Executive Committee.

• Mark Sarvary's Bio