Previous Winners

2009

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Award for Excellence in Integrated Pest Management

Robert K.D. Peterson

Robert K. D. Peterson is an associate professor of Entomology in the Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences at Montana State University. His research program is primarily focused on agricultural and biological risk assessment, especially comparative risk assessment. The program seeks to qualitatively and quantitatively compare different environmental risks for the purpose of improved decision-making and cost-benefit analysis. Recent projects address the potential risks posed by biotechnology, invasive species, and pesticides. The research on biotechnology has focused on crop plants and includes glyphosate tolerance, transgenic plants expressing Bacillus thuringiensis toxins, and plant-based biopharmaceuticals. He has developed and evaluated approaches to optimize human health and minimize ecological risks associated with prominent vector-borne diseases along with characterizing human and ecological risks associated with introduced weed species. 

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 Soybean Aphid IPM Team

Before the arrival of the soybean aphid in 2000, it was estimated that less than 1% of the soybean acreage in the North Central United States was treated with an insecticide. Since the arrival of this invasive pest, 8 to 10 million acres are treated annually, with 50 million acres at risk. Due to the Soybean Aphid IPM Team, growers in North America now have new recommendations and new pest management tools to use against the pest. The Soybean Aphid IPM team members include Drs. David Ragsdale, University of Minnesota; David Voegtlin, Illinois History Survey; Eileen Cullen, University of Wisconsin-Madision; Ronald Hammond, Ohio State University;  Thomas Hunt, University of Nebraska;  Brian McCornack, Kansas State University; Kelley Tilmon, South Dakota State University; Matthew O'Neal, Iowa State University; David Wright, Iowa Soybean Association; and Christina DiFonzo, Michigan State University.     

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

Philip K. Morton

Philip K. Morton received his B.S. in Entomology from Oklahoma State University. Most recently he received his Ph.D. in Entomology from Purdue University this past August. His research deals with population genetics of the Hessian fly, Mayetiola destructor, a major pest of wheat. The focus of his research includes addressing the number and origin of introductions of Hessian fly into the United States, the effects of agricultural variables on population structure and gene flow within the southeastern United States, and the study of the amount of genetic variation found in the Hessian fly throughout the United States and worldwide. He has accepted a postdoctoral position in the Botany and Plant Pathology Department at Purdue University.

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

Cheri Abraham

Cheri Abraham is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Georgia, Department of Entomology. He earned his M.S. from Mississippi State University and his B.S. from the Kerala Agricultural University in India. While attending Mississippi State University he worked with Dr. David Held on augmenting populations of Larra bicolor, the ectoparasitoid wasp, on Scapteriscus mole crickets. Currently working with Dr. Kris Braman at the University of Georgia, he is investigating biological control of key pests in cut flower production. This study seeks to increase the competiveness of the cut flower industry by developing effective management strategies to control secondary pests like thrips, mites, aphids, and whiteflies, which disrupt the successful control of leafminers in greenhouses.

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

  Vickie Weiss receives the Primary Education Award

Vickie Weiss is an elementary school teacher at City School in Grand Blanc, Michigan. She shared her fascination about the problem of Colony Collapse Disorder with her students and developed a year- long lesson plan starting with having the students think about possible theories on why honeybees were disappearing. She then took the students on a field trip to a local bee farm where they saw an observation hive and watched honey being extracted and processed. They learned about the Apis mellifera habitat, life cycle, process of pollination, and habits within the hive. Later in the year, the students, in learning about entrepreneurship, decided to form a class business to sell honey while educating their customers. They created a name for their company, a logo, and a display booth where they sold the honey and increased community awareness. In the spring, the students hosted a theme related one-day restaurant. All recipes included honey as an ingredient and the students created bee costumes to wear. Vickie’s goal for next year’s students is to have them enter the essay contest sponsored by 4-H on “Is My Community Honey-Bee Friendly?”

Emily Torlak Receives the Secondary Education Award

Emily Torlak is a biology teacher at Eau Gallie High School in Melbourne, Florida. While discussing insects during a unit on invertebrates, she found that she and the students had very little knowledge of insects. When the students began asking questions, she offered extra credit to the students who found the answers to their questions before she could. The more research that was done, the more fascinated she and the students became about insects. This interest led Emily to earn a Master of Science degree from the University of Florida in Entomology while teaching full time. One of her lesson plans, Repellency Lab, is geared to grades 9-12. In this lab, the students become familiar with the difference between repellents and insecticides. The students become more familiar with lab report writing and understanding the importance of including a control in an experiment. Insect Trap, another lesson plan she created, is an inquiry activity in which students design and test a successful insect monitoring trap. The traps are designed to lure or entrap insects by using lights, pheromones, and sticky materials, and by trap placement. Emily hopes to start an entomology class for high school aged students or an insect club in the near future.

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

Whitney Cranshaw

Whitney Cranshaw is a professor of Entomology at the Colorado State University. His teaching, extension, and research efforts span the entomology of turfgrass, ornamental plants, trees, vegetable gardens, and many other aspects of urban landscapes, as well as insects and arachnids in the home. He is in high demand as a presenter at professional turf and landscape conferences giving about 40 talks per year. He has also been a judge for 4-H entomology projects at the Colorado State Fair and an advisor for the Odyssey of the Mind program. Whitney also manages two active listservers- PestTalk for regional landscape pest management and OrnaEnt a national discussion group for entomology professionals. He has been recognized by Organic Gardening Magazine, National Gardening Association, and Garden Writers of America.

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

No winner for 2009

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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