Entomology and Plant Pathology
Registration is now open for the 2022 TN Master Beekeeping Program classes! Whether you are thinking about becoming a beekeeper or have been keeping bees for years, there is always new research-based information to learn. Please join us and help the bees by increasing your education to improve your beekeeping operation and decrease your losses. More information can be found here: https://epp.clientdev.us/masterbee/. Due to the level of interest, please be patient when trying to register.
After graduating from The University of Tennessee with a bachelor’s degree in computer science, Abdullah Almsaeed joined the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology (EPP) as a Web Developer and Research Associate. His interest in software development began at a young age. “I started learning computer programming as early as twelve years old” he stated. Abdullah grew up in Saudi Arabia and explained that during this time it was difficult for young residents to find opportunities to learn about computer science. He then continued with a little more detail about his backstory. “Because of access to the Internet, however, I managed to become a self-taught developer who created and sold his first software by the age of fifteen. Since
Jesse Webster grew up in Greene County, Tennessee, a county that he said is known for its strong foundation in agriculture and natural resources. As matured in a city surrounded by mountains and valleys, his parents took him hiking and hunting. Little did they know, it would put a lasting impression on his path in life. Webster now holds a full-time position with the National Park Service and is a current master’s student with a concentration in Entomology. It is a hefty workload, but with the help of his primary advisor, Dr. Jerome Grant, Jesse stated that he is building a “rock-solid foundation in EPP”. When asked about his coursework, he mentioned that he had recently completed Adult Insect
The 2022 Joint Entomological Society of America, Southeastern Branch (ESA-SEB) and American Phytopathological Society (APS-CD) Meeting took place both in-person and virtually March 26-30. With the meeting being held in-person and virtually, it provided members of the organizations the flexibility to attend. Two EPP professors, Dr. Jerome Grant and Dr. Zach Hansen attended the in-person conference, which took place at the Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Dr. Jerome Grant promoted “entomophagy using an entomological phenomenon: Brood x periodical cicada”. While at the conference, Dr. Grant also served as GamesMaster in the Entomology Games. He stated that the “games were wonderful, exciting and educational!” After twelve years as GamesMaster, these games were the
Although our students did not travel to Puerto Rico to attend the Joint Meeting of the Southeastern Branch, Entomological Society of America and the American Phytopathological Society-Caribbean Division, several students did participate in the Virtual Student Competition. Those competing were Julian Cosner, Kassie Hollabaugh, Jessica Krob, and Matthew Longmire. Two of these students received 1st place in their sections: Matthew Longmire (1st place, Ph.D. Student Virtual Ten-Minute Paper Competition) and Julian Cosner (1st place, Ph.D. Student Virtual Poster Competition). Congrats Matthew and Julian!
The Southern Division of the American Phytopathological Society (APS) is a scientific society that is committed to innovating plant pathology research. The Kelly Lab recently attended the 2022 Southern Division APS Meeting in Chattanooga, TN. This meeting was the 99th annual meeting held by the Southern Division. The students attended a career workshop, presented their research, and were able to meet with other fellow students and post-docs.
Shalini Yerukala is a Research Specialist III from Hyderabad, India. In 2019, she received her Ph.D. in Entomology, Plant Pathology, and Nematology with a concentration in Sustainable Disease and Integrated Pest Management Systems. Shalini was interviewed as a part of the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology’s series of spotlights on staff. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? How did you get into your career field? My Story: Hello, I am Shalini Yerukala. I come from a rural agricultural family in Hyderabad, a city in the Southern part of India. Both my parents are organic farmers. They grow organic food products including rice, corn, maize, legumes, fruits, vegetables, etc. Since childhood I have been exposed
For many years, Dr. Alan Windham has provided leadership for educational programs in diseases affecting ornamental plants. Recently, Windham traveled to Knoxville to display his extensive ornamental disease collection to students enrolled in EPP 410, Diseases and Insects of Ornamental Plants. Other students, staff, and faculty that were interested in viewing his collection were also invited. His colleague, Dr. Mark Windham, stated that the “collection is without peer in North America, perhaps the word”. As this was the last time he would be setting up his display for the class, students were appreciative of the opportunity to view such a huge collection.
After receiving her undergraduate degree in Biotechnology in India, Swati joined the department as a master’s student. However, time has flown since then. Swati is now a third-year Ph.D. student with a concentration in Bioinformatics, Genomics, and Molecular Interactions. With her course requirements being complete, she is now entirely focused on her research. Therefore, you will usually find her working in the Jurat-Fuentes Lab throughout the day. While in the lab, you can find her working through her research question, “What mechanisms are involved in resistance against insecticidal double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) in Colorado potato beetle”. “Double-stranded RNAs are the latest class of insecticides that act by silencing important insect genes via RNA-interference (RNAi) pathway.” She explained that one of
Have you explored the Winter 2022 issue of Our Tennessee? The article, One Health for All, covers many UT faculty members and their contributions to the One Health Initiative, an initiative that focuses on animal and environmental health conditions that impact society. One of their examples featured some of the vector biology work conducted in Dr. Becky Trout Fryxell‘s laboratory. To review the article, visit https://our.tennessee.edu/2022/one-health-for-all/. To read more about Trout Fryxell and the work that her lab does, visit her page at https://epp.clientdev.us/directory/dr-rebecca-trout-fryxell/.
