Previous Winners

2011

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  Dr. Joseph G. Morse

Sponsored by Syngenta Crop Protection, this award is based on outstanding contributions which have a direct relation to integrated pest management (IPM). Dr. Joseph G. Morse is a professor of entomology at the University of California, Riverside. His research focuses on arthropod pests of citrus and avocados in California, dealing in particular with the integration of chemical and biological methods of pest management, invasive species research, proactive pesticide resistance management, and postharvest disinfestation of fruit. Ten Ph.D. and seven M.S. students have completed their degrees under his supervision, and he regularly teaches a course in the “Natural History of Insects” and the evolution portion of “Introductory Evolution and Ecology.” He is author or co-author on 125 scientific refereed journal articles, 58 book chapters, books, or proceedings articles, and 125 technical publications. He was associate director of the University of California’s Statewide IPM Program for six years, director of the UC Riverside Center for Invasive Species Research for three years, and Statewide Program Leader for Agricultural Policy & Pest Management for UC’s Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources for six years.

Award Overview:
This award, consisting of a check and an inscribed plaque, recognizes and encourages outstanding contributions to applied IPM in North America and the U.S. territories.

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INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT TEAM AWARD

The European Corn Borer (ECB) Team

Sponsored by Dow AgroSciences, this award recognizes the successful pest-control efforts of a small, collaborative work team which includes at least one entomologist from the private sector and one from the public sector. The European Corn Borer (ECB) Team documented a $6.9 billion cumulative benefit to U.S. corn producers resulting from 14 years of areawide suppression of the pest Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner) following the adoption of transgenic corn, specifically corn hybrids expressing one or more insecticidal proteins of the bacteriumBacillus thuringiensis. The team found a significant and substantial decline in ECB larval and moth populations for five major corn-growing states in the central U.S. Corn Belt. Historically, ECB has been the most widespread insect pest of U.S. corn, responsible for an estimated annual loss of $1 billion. The team had access to, or collected, long-term (50+ years) larval and moth population data that allowed a quantitative analysis of population change before and after the introduction of Bt corn. In brief, the areawide suppression occurs over time because Bt corn, as a form of host plant resistance, continues to be highly effective, providing virtually 100% control of the pest with no field-evolved resistance to Bt. Once young larvae take their first bites, they ingest lethal doses and die within a few days. Since female moths cannot distinguish Bt corn from non-Bt corn, the Bt corn acts as a “trap crop,” and local infestations decline over time. The analysis confirmed that in addition to the direct benefits to Bt corn producers, nearly 63% of the savings ($4.9 billion) actually accrued to non-Bt corn growers. Non-Bt corn growers benefit from very low infestations in these fields, and their production costs are lower since they are not paying Bt corn technology fees. The team’s findings were reported by Science, NPR, the Associated Press, German Public Radio and other news outlets.

ECB Team members include Bill Hutchison, Eric Burkness, and Roger Moon (University of Minnesota); Paul Mitchell (University of Wisconsin), Mike Gray (University of Illinois), Rick Hellmich (USDA-ARS), Kevin Steffey (Dow AgroSciences), Von Kaster (Syngenta), Tom Hunt and Bob Wright (University of Nebraska). In addition, several associate team members were instrumental to this project, including Shelby Fleischer (Penn State University), Mark Abrahamson (Minnesota Department of Agriculture), K. Hamilton (Wisconsin Department of Agriculture), K. Pecinovsky (Iowa State University), Tim Leslie (Long Island University), Brian Flood (DelMonte Foods), Tom Rabaey (General Mills) and Earl Raun (University of Nebraska).               

Award Overview:
This annual award, funded by Dow AgroSciences, recognizes the successful efforts of a team approach to pest control of a small collaborative group (no more than 10 team members) but must include one entomologist from the private sector and one from the public sector. The focus of the award is teamwork and project success. The award, which will be given to each team member, will consist of an inscribed award.



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The International Congress on Insect Neurochemistry and Neurophysiology (ICINN) Student Recognition Award in Insect Physiology, Biochemistry, Toxicology, and Molecular Biology

Dr. Joe Louis

Sponsored by the International Congress on Insect Neurochemistry and Neurophysiology (ICINN), this award recognizes and encourages innovative research in the areas of insect physiology, biochemistry, toxicology, and molecular biology in the broad sense. The areas of research may include development, genetics, defense mechanisms, and other offshoots of physiology, biochemistry, and toxicology. Dr. Joe Louis recently received his Ph.D. from the University of North Texas (UNT) in molecular biology under the advisement of Dr. Jyoti Shah. He received his B.S. in agriculture from Kerala Agricultural University, India and his M.S. in entomology from Kansas State University. For his Ph.D. research, Joe utilized the model plant Arabidopsis thalianato identify plant genes and mechanisms that are involved in mediating plant defense against the green peach aphid. His research characterized the involvement of plant lipids in regulating aphid feeding and fecundity. This work has resulted in several peer-reviewed publications and has received numerous awards and recognitions, including the John Henry Comstock Graduate Student Award from the Entomological Society of America (ESA), and the Lillian & Alex Feir Graduate Student Travel Award in Insect Physiology, Biochemistry, or Molecular Biology from the Entomological Foundation. Joe has also shown excellence as a teaching assistant in Plant Biology and Principles of Biology courses at UNT for four years. He has contributed to ESA by volunteering by co-organizing symposia at both the branch and the national ESA meetings. Joe is currently a postdoctoral scholar with Dr. Gary Felton at the Department of Entomology & Center for Chemical Ecology at Pennsylvania State University, and is continuing research on insect-plant interactions with specific focus on molecular and biochemical aspects of insect salivary factors that mediate plant defense responses.

  Award Overview:
  This award recognizes and encourages innovative research in the areas of insect  

  physiology, biochemistry, and toxicology in the broad sense. The award consists of a 

  certificate of recognition along with a cash award.

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THE LARRY LARSON GRADUATE STUDENT AWARD FOR LEADERSHIP IN            APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY

Alysha Soper

Sponsored by Dow AgroSciences, this award recognizes Dr. Larry Larson's role as a leader and pioneer in insect management and carries that legacy to the next generation of leaders in applied entomology. Alysha Soper is a master’s student in entomology at Kansas State University (KSU) and will begin her Ph.D. this spring. Her M.S. research has focused on characterizing sorghum headworm (Helicoverpa zea, also known as corn earworm, and Spodoptera frugiperda, also known asfall armyworm) damage potentials in grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) panicles in order to test current assumptions regarding the management of headworm under mixed-species scenarios. In addition to her thesis research, Alysha has sought to develop site-specific management recommendations for headworm in sorghum by identifying key sampling areas within a field, as well as strategies to temporally forecast infestations at a local level. Consequently, her work will allow sorghum producers to make timely and spatially-explicit treatment decisions, leading to increased profitability through increased yields and reductions in unwarranted insecticide use. As a former president and active member of the KSU Popenoe Entomology Club, Alysha has enjoyed working with the Entomology Department’s outreach programs and hopes to gain additional extension experience during her upcoming Ph.D. program. A long-term goal of Alysha’s is to enhance the productivity and sustainability of current agroecosystems by developing programs that promote beneficial insect activity and increase ecosystem services in a changing landscape.

Award Overview:
This award, sponsored by Dow AgroSciences, acknowledges Master’s students who exhibit exceptional interest in the study and application of entomology through outstanding research and leadership skills. This award includes $2,000 and a tour of the Dow AgroSciences headquarters.



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THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA'S PRESIDENT'S PRIZES FOR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN PRIMARY & SECONDARY EDUCATION

Amber Stout

President's Prizes for Outstanding Achievement in Primary Education

Sponsored by the Entomological Society of America, this award recognizes a primary school educator (grades K-6) who has gone beyond the traditional teaching methods by using insects as educational tools. Amber Stout is a third-grade teacher at Jefferson Elementary in Pierre, South Dakota. Amber likes to incorporate insects into her lessons to make students more aware of the economic impacts they have on the community, and to make students more aware of the environment. She likes to use a hands-on approach to teaching and strives to get students actively engaged in the learning process. In her lesson plan on honeybees, Stout teaches students about the anatomy of the bee, the structure of the hive, the role of each bee within the community, and the environmental impact of bees on the local community. A beekeeper is invited into the classroom to discuss his job and to show the students the tools and attire required to raise bees. Mrs. Stout also sets up a model of a beehive for students to experience of beekeeping. Throughout the lesson, students participate in the waggle dance, become pollinators, and take a virtual tour of a bee hive. It is an un-bee-lievable experience!

Tanya Ashimine

President's Prizes for Outstanding Achievement in Secondary Education

Sponsored by the Entomological Society of America, this award recognizes a secondary school educator (grades 7-12) who has gone beyond the traditional teaching methods by using insects as educational tools. Tanya Ashimine is a biology, zoology, human physiology, and AVID elective teacher at Kaiser High School in Honolulu, Hawaii.Tanya began using insects as an integral part of her science classes several years ago to teach concepts involving adaptation, communication, ecology, and evolution.The availability of insects has made them an invaluable tool in inquiry projects.Using local insects helps spark student interest and relates animal biology to real-world problems.Tanya has worked in partnership with the University of Hawaii’s Plant & Environmental Protection Sciences Department, using their Educate To Eradicate project as the focal point for a culminating service learning project. It applies new learning while helping community members reduce pest susceptibility. Specifically, students utilize what they have learned about termite biology to teach adults how to prevent termites from damaging their homes.

Award Overview:
Funded by the Entomological Society of America, these awards recognize educators who have gone beyond the traditional teaching methods by using insects as teaching tools. One winner is chosen from primary teachers and one from among secondary teachers. The recipients receive a check made payable to their school to purchase teaching materials to expand the use of insects in the curriculum; a check to help cover expenses associated with travel required to present on the use of insects in educational programs at a professional venue of their choosing; and gratis registration and a check to help cover the expenses associated with attending the Entomological Society of America's annual meeting.


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Recognition Award in Urban Entomology

Dr. Shripat T. Kamble

Sponsored by S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc., this award recognizes and encourages outstanding extension, research, and teaching contributions in urban entomology. Dr. Shripat Kamble earned his Ph.D. in entomology from North Dakota State University (1974), and is currently a professor of entomology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Dr. Kamble has been an active member of the North Central Branch (NCB) since 1970, has served two terms on the ESA Governing Board (2000-2006), and has been actively involved in the Certification Program since its early days, serving as BCE Director in 2000 and Chair of the BCE Examining Committee from 2004-present. He has organized and moderated a total of 44 symposia at ESA North Central Branch and national meetings, and at National Conference on Urban Entomology (NCUE) meetings. He also served the NCB as an executive member-at-large (2006-2009).

Dr. Kamble has worked at the University of Nebraska for 33 years as an assistant, associate, and full professor. He is a graduate faculty fellow and has supervised eight M.S. and 11 Ph.D. students, as well as three postdoctoral researchers. He has served on various departmental committees, a pesticide advisory committee, and in the University Academic Senate. He has been a state liaison for the Pest Management Center, the Pesticide Impact Assessment Program, and the IR-4 program for more than 15 years. He has hosted 13 visiting scholars, has published 135 papers, and has acquired $3.42 million in grants.

His research in the 1980s on distribution of termiticides in soils contributed to termiticide label changes for drilling holes at one foot apart to create a continuous chemical barrier. His data on degradation of termiticides in various soils resulted in estimating how long termiticides may remain efficacious under field conditions. He participated in national termiticide research to develop data for reduction in pesticide usage and economic costs, which contributed to the registration of termiticides for exterior perimeter treatment only, plus targeted interior treatment. His research on Metarhizium anisopliae against German cockroaches yielded discouraging data that convinced the industry not to pursue the registration. Dr. Kamble promoted the use of bait products in sensitive environments, thereby minimizing pesticide usage and human exposure, and he has generated extensive data on the field performance of baits against subterranean termites.

Award Overview:
The award consists of a check and an inscribed plaque, this award recognizes outstanding extension, research, and teaching contributions in urban entomology, including structural and wood-destroying pests and pests of ornamental plants, shade trees, and turf.

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thomas say award

Dr. James B. Whitfield

This award acknowledges significant and outstanding work in the fields of insect systematics, morphology, or evolution. Dr. James B. Whitfield is professor of entomology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and an associate research scientist at the Illinois Natural History Survey. His research focuses on the systematics and ecology of parasitoid wasps, especially microgastrine Braconidae, that attack caterpillars. His fieldwork has taken him over much of the world, with a special emphasis on neotropical forests where the wasps are highly diverse. A special interest in this group of wasps is their coevolution with symbiotic polydnaviruses, which his research has helped elucidate. He also has been deeply committed to teaching courses in insect systematics and invertebrate zoology, and he is currently lead author (with Sandy Purcell, Howell Daly, and John Doyen) of the third edition of the Introduction to Insect Biology and Diversity. He has published over 120 journal articles and book chapters, and has been a recipient of 15 grants from the National Science Foundation.

Award Overview:
This award is given for significant and outstanding work in the firelds of insect systematics, morphology, or evolution. The amount of the award varies depending upon interest earned from the endowment. The awardee is presented with the award at the Entomological Society of America's annual meeting.

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