Cornell faculty, students and alumni were named winners of the 2016 Entomological Society of America (ESA) awards. The ESA, which recognizes those “scientists, educators and students, who have distinguished themselves through their contributions to entomology,” will honor the winners Sept. 25-30 at the International Congress of Entomology in Orlando, Florida.
Cornell honorees are:
Faculty:
- Greg Loeb, Award for Excellence in Integrated Pest Management: When he’s not co-teaching a course on grape pest management and leading programs within the Department of Entomology and at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, Greg Loeb dedicates his time to controlling the hordes of pests that ruin edible crops each season. Thus, it is fitting that he is the most recent recipient of the Award for Excellence in integrated Pest Management, given to the person who has made significant contributions in the field. His collaborative research on tritophic interactions involving leaf morphology (acarodomatia) and predatory and mycophagous mites has been essential in establishing new directions for enhancing conservation biological control in plant breeding. Loeb’s current efforts involve better management and understanding of Spotted Wing Drosophilia (Drosphilia suzukii). Some of the many projects he is undertaking include studying overwintering and spring biology, monitoring and decision making, interactions with microbes, mechanical control using netting, optimizing chemical control and vector-pathogen interactions.
Students:
- Rebecca Schmidt-Jeffris, Pacific Branch Comstock Winner: the EMA honored Schmidt-Jeffris, a postdoctoral research associate, for her work exploring how altering pest management practices affects the predatory mite community, which currently includes what had before been considered a rare species. Under the guidance of Professor Brian Nault, she is analyzing the effects of landscape and management practices on European corn borer population in vegetable and field crops. In addition to her research, she co-chairs the ICE Student Affairs Committee and represents the Plant-Insect Ecosystems Section on the Student Transition and Early Professional Committee.
- Ashley Leach, Larry Larson Graduate Student Award for Leadership in Applied Entomology: With the help of her advisor Brian Nault, Leach has constructed a research project to evaluate a pest management strategy to combat onion thrips infestations. Beyond her research, she is one of the leaders of SAGES, the graduate student organization at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station and plans to pursue a career in cooperative extension or industry upon her graduation.
- Heather (Connelly) Grab, Eastern Branch Comstock Winner: A fifth-year Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Entomology, Heather (Connelly) Grab is interested in approaching agricultural productivity with ecological conservation practices. She is currently working on a dissertation project that explores how farm level diversification and incorporation of wildflower strips could allay the disastrous impact of simplified landscape contexts. She has presented her findings at grower extension services and public science outreach events in the hopes of educating others about the benefits of native pollinators and other ecosystem service providers. She and her husband run an organic farm where they grow vegetables and raise dairy goats, pigs, ducks and chickens.
Alumni:
- Michael F. Potter ‘77, Recognition Award in Urban Entomology: Now an extension professor at the University of Kentucky, Potter began his academic career at Cornell, graduating with a B.S. in Entomology in 1977. His full-time extension program provides aid and advice to a far-reaching network of people and industries including homeowners, hospitals, government agencies and zoos. In addition to winning the Recognition Award in Urban Entomology, Potter was inducted in the Pest Hall of Fame and was awarded the National Pest Management Association’s career Pinnacle Award. He is the only contemporary academician to achieve both these accolades.
- Kiran Gadhave, MPS ‘10, International Branch Comstock Winner: Gadhave received master’s degrees from Cornell and Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, and his Ph.D. from the University of London. His Ph.D. research involved examining the interactions between soil bacteria, plant-insect herbivores and higher tropic levels. In completing this multidisciplinary research project, Gadhave discovered that plant-associated bacteria have dramatic effects in altering endophytic bacteria and reducing the populations of cabbage aphid in fields. Gadhave is currently investigating the vector-virus-natural enemy interactions in cucurbit systems through an array of behavioral, biochemical and molecular techniques in an attempt to reduce vector populations and viral incidences.
