Yesterday we wrote about the UC Davis postdoctoral researchers, doctoral candidates and graduate students who are heading to the Entomological Society of America (ESA) in Portland, Ore. to deliver their presentations.
Today let's single out the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology faculty.
Theme of the Nov. 9-12 ESA meeting is "Entomology 2025, Bridging Generations with Innovation, Legacy, and Passion." The theme, ESA says, showcases the bridging generations—"uniting the wisdom of the past with the innovations of the future, all fueled by our shared passion for entomology,"
On Sunday, Nov. 9, molecular geneticist and physiologist Joanna Chiu, professor and chair of the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology--and internationally recognized for her research on the molecular and cellular mechanisms that regulate circadian and seasonal biology and on invasive species genomics--will be celebrated as a newly selected Fellow at the Entomological Society of America (ESA) plenary session.
She is also organizing the University of California mixer on Monday, Nov. 10 from 7 to 10 p.m. in the Regency Ballroom C and will present a talk on "Fostering Successful Mentor-Mentee Relationships by Aligning Expectations" on Nov. 11. In addition, she is the co-author of a presentation, "Genomic Analysis of Drosophila suzukii Insecticide Resistance," that postdoctoral researcher Christine Tabuloc of the Chiu lab will deliver on Tuesday. UC Davis Distinguished Professor Emeritus (on recall) Frank Zalom is a co-author of the project. Zalom, former director of the UC Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program, is a past president of ESA and an Honorary Member, ESA's highest honor.Faculty to deliver presentations include:
- Lisa Baik, assistant professor of insect biology and a mosquito specialist, "Understanding and Targeting the Taste System of Mosquitoes"
- Christopher Barker, professor and medical entomologist, "Bruce Eldridge: A Career of Science and Service to Public-Health Entomology," Barker, a member of the faculty of the School of Veterinary Medicine's Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology," is an entomology advisor. He studied with UC Davis Professor Emeritus Bruce Eldridge, an internationally recognized medical entomologist whose exemplary military, academic and administrative career spanned more than six decades. Eldridge, a member of the Department of Entomology and Nematology, died Feb. 5, 2025 at age 91.
- Geoffrey Attardo, associate professor and medical entomologist, "Seeing Resistance in a New Light: Using Raman Spectroscopy to Detect Insecticide Resistance in Aedes aegypti." He also will be a panelist for a symposium on "Diverg-Ent: Challenges, Successes, and Strategies of Neurodiverse Entomologists."
- Ian Grettenberger, associate professor of Cooperative Extension and an IPM specialist, "What Is the Future?: Management of Diamondback Moth in California's Cole Crops and the Challenges and Opportunities." He is the co-author of several other research presentations, including "Developing a Biological Control Program for Bagrada Bug in California" to be presented by graduate student Dylan Rogers, based in Oakland. Rogers is currently a biological science technician at U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service.
- Elina Lastro Niño, professor of UC Cooperative Extension, Apiculture, "From Controlled Environments to Real-World Applications: Advancing Honey Bee Health and Probiotics as a Possible EFB Management Tool."
- Neal Williams, professor and pollination ecologist is a co-organizer of the symposium, "Hot Bees: Bridging Approaches and Innovative Tools to Understand Heat Wave Impacts on Wild Bees" and he will present a talk at the symposium on "Heatwave Impacts on Immature Stages of the Solitary Bee, Osmia lignaria."
Cover image: UC Davis medical entomologist Geoffrey Attardo engaged in research at Cache Creek, Yolo County. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)