“On behalf of the entire NYSIPM team, I am delighted to welcome Anna to our program,” Calixto said. “Her experience developing research-based, sustainable IPM practices and commitment to building farmer and grower engagement through extension and outreach will prove invaluable to NYSIPM and fruit growers and producers in New York and through the Northeast.”
Wallis most recently served as the apple production specialist for Michigan State University Extension, where she expanded her knowledge of the fruit industry through collaborative research and extension activities in tree fruit production. She was selected by a committee of NYSIPM and extension staff and growers, following an extensive, national search, which resulted from the retirement of longtime Fruit IPM Specialist Juliet Carroll, Ph.D.
“This position represents a tremendous opportunity for me to continue to pursue my passion for sustainability and fruit production. “My background in pest management and research will provide insight for identifying and investigating novel solutions for advancing IPM and mitigating the negative impacts of pesticides used in fruit production in New York,” Wallis said. “I admire the leadership that NYSIPM, Cornell University, and the New York fruit industry have taken in advancing sustainability of fruit production and am extraordinarily motivated to work with these individuals and communities to continue to advance these efforts.”
Wallis holds bachelor’s degrees in biology and music from the University of Maryland, and a doctorate in Plant Pathology and Plant Microbe Biology from Cornell University, where she worked with Professor Kerik Cox on research and extension efforts focused on investigating fire blight and identifying sustainable management solutions. Prior to her role with Michigan State University Extension, she spent several years working with Cornell Cooperative Extension as the apple and grape specialist for the Eastern NY Commercial Horticulture program.
Wallis will begin working with NYSIPM on March 1, 2023. Her office will be located on Cornell AgriTech’s Geneva campus.
