In the Nebraska winter, he faced snow, cold and high winds. In the summer, he dealt with pestilence and weeds. To top it off, he swam 2.4 miles, raced a bike 112 miles, and ran a 26.2 mile marathon, all in the same event.
Steve Young has seen a lot of challenges related to climate and pests, and he’s ready for more when he comes to Ithaca in May to take over the helm of the Northeastern Integrated Pest Management Center at Cornell University from outgoing director Carrie Koplinka-Loehr.
The idea of not giving up often runs through his mind, particularly because he’s usually pushing himself so hard.
A research and extension ecologist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln West Central Research and Extension Center, Young brings extensive knowledge in weed ecology along with an understanding of the biological relationships between plants, animals, and insects in developing long-term management strategies.
He also brings insight and experience in assembling large-scale projects, which he believes will be an area of opportunity for the Northeastern IPM Center. He recently led the development of a $7 million proposal to a private foundation on conservation of lands infested with invasive plants to sustain rural communities in eastern Montana.
As director of the Northeastern IPM Center, Young will oversee one of four regional IPM centers established by the USDA in 2000. With an annual budget of about $1.4 million, the Northeastern IPM Center serves 12 northeastern states from Maine to West Virginia, plus the District of Columbia. Several of its programs are national in scope. Based at Cornell University, the Center promotes integrated pest management, a science-based approach for dealing with pests, for environmental, human health, and economic benefits.
Young said he plans to pursue funding opportunities in education and regional issues to promote integrated pest management in a shifting economic landscape.
“We are limited only by our own thinking,” said Young, who recently published a book about robot-like mechanical weed control, featuring viewpoints from 13 of the world’s top engineers, biologists, and economists.
Young earned his Ph.D. in soil science from the University of California, Davis, and a bachelor’s degree in horticulture from Washington State University in Pullman.
- Chris Gonzalez
