Greetings from the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology

ISSUE 5, WINTER 2020

Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology Greetings from the 127 Noble Research Center Department of Entomology Stillwater, OK 74078 Phone and Plant Pathology 405.744.5527

Dr. Phil Mulder, Department Head Fax 405.744.6039

Welcome to the fifth edition of our annual newsletter. In spite of Email the ongoing pandemic, we experienced another great year in the Dr. Phil Mulder Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology at Oklahoma State Department Head University. I want to continue to focus on annual highlights and other [email protected] activities within the department. In this section, I would like to provide you with some 2020 highlights from our department. As always, we Website had a number of awards and honors gathered by our faculty, students, entoplp.okstate.edu and staff. In addition, our faculty and students were highly productive in the number of refereed publications and grants awarded. Social Media Facebook: /EPP.OSU Twitter: @okstate_epp

We continued growth in our entomology undergraduate many more in the next academic year. Since students who major, with over 70 majors (which includes about 8 double graduated in the spring or summer of 2020 did not get majors). We are still one of only 16 entomology majors in the to walk across a stage (due to the pandemic) and receive country and currently stand at first or second in the nation recognition, we are recognizing them in this newsletter with for undergraduate enrollment. I should point out that we are a special pictorial section. doing this with less entomology faculty members compared Dr. Hoback continues to mentor several undergraduate to the other institutions with a major in entomology students, teaching nearly 900 students in “Insects and (Nationwide average 23.3, we have 10 tenure track faculty in Society”, producing his online textbook (generating entomology). This fall, we experienced the 8th consecutive scholarship funds to further support students), and teaches year of double-digit enrollment (13 Freshmen and 11 transfer an online offering of Insects and Society to around 100 students) in our undergraduate major. All of our options in students each summer. This fall, with the Pandemic, his the entomology major have attracted many students, but student contact hours are still high, but thanks to our ability there seems to be an awakening of interest in Insect Biology to hire Ms. Melissa Reed, we are offering an online version and Ecology, most likely attributed to many successful of Insects and Society and two sections with face-to-face years of the Insect Adventure, directed by Dr. Andrine instruction by Drs. Hoback and Giles. Dr. Justin Talley is also Shufran. Many of the attendees of Grandparent University offering an online version of “Livestock Entomology” to over that were very young when she began her efforts are now 115 students this fall. We are very grateful to Dr. Cynda Clary showing up in our department. In addition, Drs. Hoback for providing support for maintaining our student contact and Shufran continue to tell the story about the many job hours, and in spite of the Pandemic, enrollment is up at OSU. opportunities with an entomology degree. Some of our This fall, we are honored to have Dr. Kenneth Pinkston students successfully graduated and entered veterinary as a Distinguished Alumnus. He received this award from school or medical school. Two of these students, Haley the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources Hahn and Molly Drakeley, who are now third-year students (DASNR). Ken, affectionately known to some as “Pinkz,” was in the OSU veterinary school, continue to visit with our the heart and soul of the Entomology and Plant Pathology new students for the third year in a row. They have inspired department for over 25 years and was a major force and many of our students to focus, and do well enough to be impetus in developing and soliciting support for our successful in entering vet school. In addition, at least four of Endowed Professorship in Structural and Urban Entomology our graduates ended up in Graduate School either at OSU (Now an Endowed Chair position). More on this distinction or elsewhere across the country. In the 2019/20 academic will be provided later in this newsletter. year, we graduated five undergraduate majors and anticipate 2 • RESEARCH & TEACHING HIGHLIGHTS

• bacteriology Our graduate student numbers are down slightly this year, • plant disease epidemiology likely indicative of our lower faculty numbers and the inability • efficacy trials to bring in international students during the pandemic. In • insect and plant disease biology and ecology spite of fewer faculty our curriculum has continued to evolve, • biological control thanks in large part to our very dedicated team of faculty. • alternative pest control Obviously, the budget often dictates these situations, but the • stored product management faculty have stepped up and filled gaps in order to provide • worker safety a diverse number of courses throughout the department. • conservation entomology We continue to seek ways to build in flexibility to our degree • endangered species programs, particularly for graduate education. Our faculty • termite pre- and post-treatment strategies are extremely creative and innovative in developing alternate • bed bug management/demonstration ways of addressing curriculum issues and I am optimistic • pesticide safety education and certification and very excited for the future developments that will arise. This year, I asked Dr. Li Maria Ma, Dr. Francisco Ochoa A special thank you is extended to Dr. Stephen Marek, who Corona, Dr. Wyatt Hoback, Dr. George Opit, and Mr. Kelly in spite of his predominant research appointment, has taken Seuhs to provide some highlights from their various areas on more than his fair share of teaching, due to the loss of of research, extension, teaching, and outreach. In the two key plant pathology faculty that have moved on over the “Where are they Now” segment I had the opportunity to last few years. We were also able to permanently modify Dr. interview one of our graduates in entomology and one from Marek’s teaching assignment to accommodate the changes plant pathology. Dr. Michael Gates from entomology and that have occurred and to take advantage of his skills, Dr. Stephanie Rogers, from the plant pathology discipline. talents, and abilities in student instruction. We are so proud of our graduates and their tremendous In the arena of research, we continue to emphasize the accomplishments and certainly want to highlight their land-grant mission with very active programs in: continuing success. • biochemistry For 2020, a big congratulations to Dr. Li Maria Ma who • molecular biology was promoted to Professor. In addition, another big • human and animal health congratulations to Dr. Wyatt Hoback who has garnered • microbial forensics another national award, the 2020 Excellence in Teaching • food safety and Student Engagement Award from the USDA-APLU for • insect-borne transmission of diseases his teaching in Food and Agricultural Sciences, one of only • diagnostics development two awards provided nationally each year. In addition, BIG • IPM CONGRATULATIONS to Dr. Haobo Jiang who received the • invasive species monitoring OSU Distinguished Regents Research Award. One more • resistance management BIG CONGRATULATIONS to Dr. Tom Royer, who will receive • cultivar development and screening the 2021 International IPM Lifetime Achievement Award • soil-borne plant diseases of Recognition. Great Job by these very valuable faculty • mycology members and so very well deserved! Research and Teaching Highlights view of physiological systems in insects and those in other Dr. George Opit animals, including vertebrates. A really great aspect of the Professor course is that it enables students to gain familiarity with the tremendous diversity of insect life and how it is organized I was hired as the Stored Product/Post- and classified based on phylogenetics (evolutionary Harvest Pest Management Entomologist relatedness of taxa). Students also gain an understanding of in the Department of Entomology and the important roles insects play in the ecosystem, including Plant Pathology (EPP) in April 2008. pollination, decomposition, pest suppression, herbivory, In the last 12 years, I have developed and pathogen transmission, and ultimately, how these roles an externally funded research program impact human society. Last but not least, students are taught focused on the management of arthropods in post-harvest the importance of sustainable pest management practices, situations. Currently, I have a split appointment with a focus using ecologically-based measures, and its application to the on research (80%) and in teaching (20%). larger realm of environmental sustainability and sustainable I have taught “Introduction to Entomology” since 2011 and human development. have seen class sizes in the fall semester grow from 32 to In relation to my research in the last 12 years, I have worked 68. In this course, students gain an understanding of basic on investigating the ecology, management, and potential animal biology, using the insect model and a comparative economic impact of emergent stored-product pests, now RESEARCH & TEACHING HIGHLIGHTS • 3 recognized as pests of substance, called psocids. My lab Post-harvest loss remains an under-researched, high- is one of only two labs in the United States, and one of a priority problem across developing countries and value handful worldwide that conducts research on psocids, with chains. Therefore, post-harvest is an area of high opportunity expertise in identifying these tiny insects. Psocid species for short-term gains in development outcomes such as respond differently to control methods targeted at them, improved food security and increased resilience. Therefore, and hence effective management depends on correctly since 2009, I have worked on identifying and scaling simple, identifying species that comprise infestations. I also cost-effective, and readily implementable technologies and actively research phosphine resistance in stored-product tactics that can be used to mitigate post-harvest losses insect pests in the United States. My phosphine resistance caused by grain fungal infection (mycotoxins) and stored- research includes detection and determination of levels of product insect pests in Ghana and Nigeria. phosphine resistance in key stored-product insect pests from Oklahoma, California, and other parts of the United States, then developing management tools and phosphine resistance management strategies for Oklahoma and the United States. In my research, I have also investigated mechanisms responsible for tolerance to fumigants in stored-product insect eggs, and have assessed propylene oxide as a potential fumigant to blend with sulfuryl fluoride (SF) to overcome the ovicidal deficiencies of the latter, as part of finding a replacement for methyl bromide (MeBr) for control of stored product insect pests in dried fruits and nuts produced in the Central Valley of California.

Dr. Opit Conducting Post-Harvest Loss Mitigation Training in a Market in Ibadan, Nigeria

Dr. Opit at a Poultry Farm in Ghana

Dr. Opit Teaching Introduction to Entomology Class Dr. Opit Conducting Phosphine Resistance at the SPREC Lab 4 • RESEARCH & TEACHING HIGHLIGHTS

Dr. Wyatt Hoback Associate Professor

I have been with OSU for seven nearly 1,000 undergraduate students per year. I also teach years and was promoted to Associate four majors classes per year and have helped to increase our Professor with tenure in 2018. In addition enrollment to 70 full-time students pursuing undergraduate to receiving tenure, my appointment degrees in Entomology. A recently funded grant from the was adjusted to include Research USDA allowed us to add four Native American students which focuses on beneficial insects in to pursue dual degrees in Entomology and Plant and Soil Oklahoma. In both research and teaching, I also conduct a lot Sciences. of recruiting and outreach as many people have questions My teaching has been nationally recognized by the North about insects. American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture and more “Murder hornets” she wrote, a concerned citizen contacted recently by the United States Department of Agriculture Oklahoma State University fearing that she had discovered 2020 Student Engagement Award for excellence in teaching. an Asian giant hornet on her property. I have responded to 14 In research, I advise graduate students who investigate such emails in the past few months and have been featured a range of topics from sugarcane aphids on sorghum, to on Oklahoma State University’s homepage, in newspapers surveys of grasshoppers in all 77 Oklahoma counties to and in television interviews. I became the authority on burying beetles using carcasses from animals caught in fires. the species because I allow myself to be stung by various The research focuses on how insects benefit agricultural and bees, wasps, ants and even scorpions as part of teaching natural communities. my non-majors Entomology class “Insects and Society” to

Dr. Hoback teaching class during COVID-19 RESEARCH & TEACHING HIGHLIGHTS • 5

The research on burying beetle reproductive behavior revealed how these beetles improve soil fertility helping pasture lands produce more grasses for cattle and wildlife. We are also investigating how the beetles preserve the carcasses to use for their offspring which could lead to new antibiotics or preservation techniques for meat.

Our continuing research on sorghum and sugarcane aphids We created a fact sheet about Oklahoma grasshoppers as examines plant resistance as an effective management part of our surveys in the state. strategy that protects both grower profit and the Harman, A.J., W. W. Hoback, and T.A. Royer. 2020. environment. Oklahoma’s bird grasshoppers. EPP-7338. 4 pp. 6 • RESEARCH & TEACHING HIGHLIGHTS

Dr. Francisco Ochoa Corona Professor

The Microbial Forensics Research Program. Highlights from 2008-2020

Biosecurity and Microbial forensics Plant viruses may also pollute waterways and reservoirs research in Entomology and Plant naturally or be introduced intentionally. Detection of such Pathology is a vibrant research program contributing viruses is complex due to water dynamics and dilution scientific input to diagnostic sciences. This research program factors, therefore, maximum sensitivity and specificity are looks at methods for regulatory plant health emergencies, serious considerations for the Biosecurity and Microbial forensic plant pathology, agriculture, and water biosecurity. Forensics Research program in its pursuit of reliable The program started in 2008 when Dr. Francisco Ochoa detection-diagnostic and remediation methods. Corona joined OSU from Biosecurity New Zealand. His The teaching component of this program started in research focuses mainly on the development and innovation 2009 with PLP/ENTO 2143 “Global Issues in Agricultural of technologies for sampling, molecular identification of Biosecurity and Forensics” which was structured from genomic landmarks of value for detection and discrimination scratch to address undergraduate students and has been of viruses and other phytopathogens. This research also taught since 2010. Two sections are regularly offered as explores the implication of genetic data on taxonomic PLP 2143 or ENTO 2143. The enrollment of students has relationships, host-pathogen associations, dynamics, global progressively improved and the course is offered spring tracking, dispersal routes, and bio-geographic distribution. semesters of odd years. The aim of this course is to introduce Dr. Ochoa Corona’s team (The Virus Chasers) also focuses undergraduate students to key definitions, the technical and on studying rapid and easy-to-use detection methods for professional vocabulary used in biosecurity and microbial non-skilled operators and is seeking a better understanding forensics, and the fundamental components of an effective of how detection and diagnostic methods work and can be agricultural biosecurity system. Also, it introduces students improved for faster and sensitive detection and monitoring to critical insights and a practical understanding of the of plant pathogens and pests in general. components of a biosecurity system and its functioning. The program conceptualizes ‘invention’ as the idea (strictly Biosecurity system components are illustrated by visiting theoretical) and ‘innovation’ as the process that makes the selected case studies, short readings, and videos showing idea a reality. For students and postdocs joining the program, relationships among overlapping areas in biosecurity and innovation is not about inventing since both of these microbial forensics and how these two disciplines operate concepts are different, but equally dynamic, overlapping, and integrate, facilitating the understanding, relevance, and and involve complementary processes. In practice, the application of these two sciences. From 2009 to 2019 PLP/ biosecurity and microbial forensics research program uses ENTO 2143 enrolled 107 students. PLP/ENTO 2143 has no invention to solve given problems and innovates our own or pre-requisites. given ideas. This perception of the creative method makes The contribution made in biosecurity and microbial this team an effective and flexible science provider. Although forensics research related to Entomology and Plant the research focuses mainly on plant viruses, it is not limited Pathology is described in 33 scientific articles published to these organisms, and research about fungi, bacteria, and since 2009. The microbial forensics research program also insect vectors are also conducted. Plant viruses serve as contributed one patent in 2016 and two patent applications convenient research models as they are non-infectious to in 2019. humans and can be easily manipulated. Plant viruses exist A general overview of the impact of this research program in complex populations in both plants and water. is reviewed in Adv Biotech & Micro. 2019; 13(2): 555859. DOI: 10.19080/AIBM.2019.13.555859. RESEARCH & TEACHING HIGHLIGHTS • 7 8 • RESEARCH & TEACHING HIGHLIGHTS

Dr. Maria Li Ma Professor

Developing New Technology for Food Decontamination With increasing numbers of new technology has several advantages over the current foodborne outbreaks associated with commonly used decontamination methods in the food the consumption of produce in recent industry: minimum water consumption (as a dry process), years, the presence of foodborne non-thermal, short treatment time, low operational cost, and pathogens on produce, such as fresh vegetables, fruits, it is scalable. and tree nuts, is a worldwide food safety and human health A uniquely designed ACP device was constructed by Dr. concern. Decontamination of produce during processing Ma’s research team. Over the years, her research program is an essential step in reducing such risk. However, current was able to obtain continuous grants from various funding decontamination technologies are mostly based on chemical agencies for ACP development. For food decontamination sanitizers (such as chlorine) or physical treatments that applications, the device has been refined from its original often show a limited efficiency in eliminating/reducing prototype several times. Validation studies using artificially such risk. Furthermore, the widely used chlorine wash in contaminated produce, including pecans, tomatoes, and the produce industry consumes large amounts of water, black pepper (spice), have demonstrated that four log creating tremendous stress on this limited natural resource. reductions of the pathogens within 10 minutes of treatment New decontamination technologies that can overcome these could be achieved. Furthermore, using next-generation limitations are critically needed. sequencing technology (RNA-seq), her research team was In the past several years, Dr. Ma’s research team has able to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms of been working on a new food decontamination technology, foodborne pathogen inactivation by ACP. Their research atmospheric cold plasma (ACP). ACP is a partially ionized results have revealed that rapid lipid peroxidation, cytosolic air formed when high energy, such as high-voltage electric leakage, and cell lysis play important roles in the inactivation discharge, is applied to the air under atmospheric pressure. of the pathogen. Additionally, after treating a population of It consists of free electrons, ions (charged particles), reactive ACP-injured Salmonella cells in succession, no significant oxygen and nitrogen species (such as ozone, nitric oxide, differences in pathogen inactivation rates or differential gene hydroxyl, hydrogen peroxide, etc.), and UV photons. These expressed were identified, indicating the pathogen is unlikely charged particles and reactive species are capable of to develop resistance to ACP treatment over time. These inducing a wide range of chemical and biochemical reactions results confirm that the unique ACP device has potential that directly affect microbial inactivation. Therefore, ACP, applications in food decontamination. Currently, Dr. Ma’s as an emerging technology, has been investigated for food team is extending the ACP application to include aflatoxin- decontamination and other applications. As only air and producing fungi and scaling up device design for large scale electricity are needed for its generation/application, this applications.

Dr. Ma and her students RESEARCH & TEACHING HIGHLIGHTS • 9

ACP Device (closed) ACP Device (opened)

ACP treatment of pecans ACP treatment of black peppers 10 • EXTENSION & OUTREACH Extension/Research Highlights Kelly Seuhs, M.S. Associate Extension Specialist

Kelly joined the department in 2000 cooperators to develop a management program for SCA as an Extension Assistant, working with control in sorghum. While working in sorghum, he was also Dr. Jim Criswell and later Dr. Phil Mulder. asked to be a part of the field crops team providing support In 2007, he received an M.S. degree in for efficacy and insect management programs for corn, Agriculture Education at Oklahoma State soybean, canola, and pasture. University. In 2013, he was appointed to a non-tenure-track In his primary research, he conducts yearly field trials faculty position with responsibilities of 50% research and on insecticide efficacy searching for new products and 50% extension. In his current position as Associate Extension management strategies for alfalfa insect pest management. Specialist, he serves as an extension state specialist in alfalfa. Monitoring weather events and degree day accumulation Over the past 20 years, his primary responsibilities have through the Oklahoma Mesonet, he is able to see how centered on alfalfa insect pest management. He has also weather can play a key role in insect development and timing been responsible for coordinating and conducting research of control measures. He has also been involved in growth on insecticide efficacy and management strategies for alfalfa chamber projects screening for host-plant resistance to weevil and aphids as well as numerous extension programs spotted alfalfa aphids. He is in the process of expanding in alfalfa insect management. Recently, Dr. Alex Rocatelli, the growth chamber work to include insecticide resistance OSU Forage Specialist (PSS), and Kelly collaborated in the testing for aphids in alfalfa. Recent developments in alfalfa development of an Oklahoma Alfalfa Workgroup consisting weevil insecticide resistance have also opened the door to of campus and area specialists as well as county educators new opportunities not only in research but also in extension providing timely reports on current issues facing alfalfa program development. producers, continued program development for educators In field crops, Kelly has collaborated with Dr. Zarrabi, Dr. and stakeholders, initiation of several new research Royer, and Dr. Giles in numerous research trials (field and endeavors, and updates in management practices to increase growth chamber) for two-spotted spider mite, aphids, and Oklahoma alfalfa production. stinkbugs in soybean, banks grass mite in corn, grasshoppers In addition to alfalfa, he continues to be involved in in pastures, and fall armyworm in corn, sorghum and wheat. various projects related to pecan, peanut, fruit trees, Over the past three years, he also has increased collaborative and more recently, sorghum pest management. In 2013, efforts with Dr. Mulder in conducting insecticide efficacy sugarcane aphid (SCA) was discovered in Oklahoma. He was trials for pecan weevil, hickory shuckworm and aphids in asked to be part of a research collaboration consisting of pecan. departmental scientists and USDA scientists working with

Sunup program on alfalfa weevil EXTENSION & OUTREACH • 11

Planting Sorghum Plots at Lane, Oklahoma Spraying Sorghum Plots 12 • 2020 AWARDS & HONORS Graduate Students

Carrie Pratt Melissa Reed Master’s Poster Presentation- 1st Place Ph.D. Oral Presentation- 3rd Place Entomological Society of America- Entomological Society of America 2020 Southwestern Branch Meeting 2020 Southwestern Branch Meeting ESA 2020 National Meeting - Oral Presentation 1st Place

Leo Santos Salome Suarez Master’s Poster Presentation- 2nd Place Otto S. Cox graduate Fellowship Entomological Society of America- for Genetics Research 2020 Southwestern Branch Meeting

Undergraduate Students

Joel DuBoise Bailee Posey Undergraduate Research Scholar Undergraduate Oral Presentation- 2nd Place Entomological Society of America- 2020 Southwestern Branch Meeting

Zach Royko Ethan Shaw Percival Scientific Undergraduate Entomology Undergraduate Research Scholar 2020 Student Activity Award - 2020 Southwestern Branch Meeting

Faculty Dr. Haobo Jiang Dr. Tom Royer Oklahoma State University Awarded the International IPM Regents Research Award Lifetime Achievement Award of Recognition 2020 AWARDS & HONORS • 13

Outstanding Team Award for OSU Extension Biennial Conference Pesticide Safety Education Program and Structural and Urban Entomology Endowed Program

Dr. Bradford Kard Mr. Charles Konemann

Mr. Charles Luper Mr. Kevin Shelton

Dr. Justin Talley, Brian Freking, Dana Zook, Tommy Puffinbarger, Chad Webb Gerrit W. Cuperus Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Professional Achievement Team Award Extension Horn Fly Resistance Management in Cattle Systems

Dr. Wyatt Hoback The USDA-APLU Excellence in College & University Teaching in Food & Agricultural Sciences- Excellence in Teaching & Student Engagement Award 14 • FEATURED STAFF Staff Highlights Noah Dunagan

In February of this year, Noah Dunagan 2001 when he joined the United States Marine Corps around started his Financial Assistant position the time of 9/11. During his time in the USMC, he earned his with the Department of Entomology AC flight wings on C-130’s for Loadmaster/Jumpmaster/IF and Plant Pathology. His responsibilities refueling observer/IF radio operator and switched jobs to include preparing travel for faculty, Combat Photography/Videography when the need arrived staff and students. He also works with for this position. He served from 2001 to 2007 and served the Pesticide Safety Program, where two tours in Afghanistan, one tour in Iraq, and one tour in he answers questions about licensing, testing dates, and Djibouti, Africa. locations, as well as testing manuals. Another role Noah After completing his contract with an Honorable covers is the purchasing aspect for the department. He Discharge, he moved back to Oklahoma. From 2007 to 2020 handles P-card receipts and questions regarding rules for Noah worked in landscape design, retail, manufacturing, purchases. Noah also processes OK Corral purchases. sales, and graphic arts. Noah currently resides in Glencoe Noah grew up in many different places in Oklahoma and with his parents and his three children - two boys and a girl. Southeast Texas where he graduated from Sweeny High All three go to Glencoe elementary. His hobbies include a School ISD Sweeny Texas, in 1999. After high school, Noah wide range of activities from the outdoors to cyberspace and began attending OSU, where he was a part of the OSU many things in between. marching band and worked on his degree in theater until

Robin Hasbrouck

In late June, Robin started her career she worked as a bookkeeper for MerCruiser for 13 years and as an Accounting Specialist Assistant Field Electric for 12 years. in the Entomology and Plant Pathology Robin married her husband Rick in 1996 and together they Department. Robin’s responsibilities have two sophomores. Allison is a sophomore here at OSU include maintaining Foundation accounts, majoring in Speech Pathology and Jacob is a sophomore at Station accounts, and general office Stillwater High School. Rick is also employed at OSU at the operations. Power Plant. Robin has lived in Stillwater for over 29 years Robin grew up in Blackwell, a small town north of and enjoys working outside in the yard, watching movies, Stillwater. She attended Blackwell schools. After graduation, and playing hand and foot with friends and family. she attended Northern Oklahoma College in Tonkawa, Oklahoma. After NOC, Robin moved to Stillwater, OK where FEATURED STUDENT • 15 Featured Graduate Students Salome Suarez

Hometown: Quito, Ecuador

Future Career Plans: After graduation, I would like to continue building my career by obtaining a job with industry and continue doing research. My ultimate goal would be to conduct research on fungal diseases.

What led you to study Plant Pathology? My interest in plant pathology started when I came to OSU in 2014 for an internship at the Institute of Biosecurity and Microbial Forensics (IBMF) to do research. During this experience, I became fascinated about plant diseases and decided to continue on to graduate school.

What or who inspired your interest in Plant Pathology? I believe that my two biggest inspirations in pursuing my degree in Plant Pathology have been my two advisors Dr. Robert Hunger and Dr. Stephen Marek, from whom I have learned so much about fungal diseases, especially in wheat.

What is your favorite activity or responsibility as part of your graduate studies? As graduate students we are exposed to many different activities, I think one of my favorites is being involved in student associations since I have met many people from different majors and cultures while having fun at the same time. Likewise, I really enjoy attending national meetings and networking.

What advice do you have for someone interested in your major? I think the best advice I can give to someone interested in Plant Pathology is to discover his or her passion by doing an internship or being exposed to the field itself. Plant Pathology is a fascinating field of science, which involves multiple areas of study such as microbiology, molecular biology, bioinformatics, biotechnology and genetics. Therefore, going through an internship or working alongside plant pathologists will give you the opportunity to decide if this field is right for you.

Outside of the major, what is your favorite activity/way to spend time? Outside school, I love going hiking and taking pictures of nature, plants, and mushrooms. Also, one of my favorite things to do is to travel. I love visiting new places, trying different foods, meeting people from other cultures, and taking pictures of landscapes. In my free time, I like listening to music and dancing.

Salome attended the Cereal Genomics Workshop at Cold Salome was awarded the Graduate Research Spring Harbor, New York, which aided in her research. Excellence Award in the Spring of 2019. 16 • FEATURED STUDENT

James K. Danso

Hometown: Obuasi, Ghana. West-Africa.

Future Career plans: In the short term, I hope to be part of a dynamic institution that provides opportunities for teaching, research, and/or extension work to examine novel solutions to global food and feed security challenges. Working in such an institution will build my capacity to fulfill my long-term goal of being part of global food security agencies to address gender disparities that fuel, food, and nutrition insecurity across the sub-Sahara African region.

What led you to study entomology? Growing up in an agricultural-complex (CRI-CSIR) in Ejura-Sekyedumasi, Ghana where my Father works as a Crop Scientist (Crop-Breeder/ Agronomist) I had the opportunity to explore research fields and storage complexes where I frequently encountered different pest arthropods; however, insect pests were their major challenge with virtually no trained personnel to provide expert recommendations for insect pest management, as a result, I developed an interest in Entomology to fill this gap.

Who inspired your interest in entomology? Dr. Enoch A. Osekre (Entomologist and Senior Lecturer, KNUST, Ghana) who was my undergraduate (BSc. Agriculture) and graduate (MPhil. Crop Protection, Entomology) advisor inspired my interest in Entomology. Dr. Osekre taught me various courses in Entomology during both my undergraduate and graduate-level education at KNUST-Kumasi, Ghana. Also, Dr. George P. Opit (Professor of Stored Product Pest Management, OSU) has inspired, guided, encouraged, and supported me during my master’s degree as a co-advisor and project PI (USAID FtF PHL) in Ghana and currently, my advisor (Ph.D.) at OSU.

As part of your graduate studies, what is your favorite activity or responsibility? As a graduate associate with both teaching and research responsibilities, I really enjoy both assignments since teaching and research fit perfectly in my career goals, and provide me the opportunity for building my capacity to meet such goals.

What sage advice do you have for someone interested in your major? The advice I would give to someone interested in Entomology is to be prepared to work hard. While Entomology can be a fun and a lucrative career, it requires dedication and perseverance to obtain a graduate degree in Entomology.

Outside of the major, what is your favorite activity/way to spend time? Outside of my course work, teaching, and research responsibilities I enjoy playing soccer and volleyball.

James has been a graduate student of Dr. George James in the lab working on his research. Opit and has been a TA for Dr. Opit’s Ento 2993 class “Introduction to Entomology”. FEATURED STUDENT • 17 Featured Undergraduate Student Alexis Coles

Hometown: Norman, Oklahoma

Future Career Plans: My professional aspirations are to become a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine and work with the rural tribal nations of Oklahoma.

What led you to study Entomology? I pursued Entomology as my major with the encouragement of Dr. Wyatt Hoback and Dr. Elizabeth Payne (Director of the Center for Sovereign Nations on OSU Campus).

Who inspired your interest in Entomology? Dr. George Opit inspired my passion and drive toward Entomology when I took his “Introduction to Entomology” class. I was intrigued with the amount of impact arthropods have in the medical and veterinary fields. It made my pursuit of becoming a doctor much more compelling.

As part of your undergraduate studies, what is your favorite activity or responsibility? As an undergraduate pursuing Entomology, I always looked forward to the camping trips held for lab. I got to meet most of the other Entomology students and learn more about my field of study.

What sage advice do you have for someone interested in your major? The advice I would give to someone interested in Entomology would be have a positive attitude, participate in the various activities, and do not be afraid to get your hands dirty.

Outside of the major, what is your favorite activity/way to spend time? Outside of class work and research, my favorite things to do are planting, cooking, running, traveling and hiking/camping.

Study abroad in England with the Cambridge Scholar Writer’s Workshop at the Doel Reed Center for the Arts in Program in August 2019 Taos, New Mexico in January 2020 18 • GRADUATES Graduates Spring 2020 Nick Godfroid Brett Johnson B.S. M.S.

Lizbeth Pena Shane Sellers Plant Path Ph.D. B.S.

Liam Whiteman Riley Yates B.S. B.S.

Summer 2020 Michael Caballero Grace Levy M.S. M.S.

Andrea Salazar M.S. GRADUATES • 19

Fall 2020 Haider Ibrahim Connor Martinson B.S. B.S.

Maddy Moore Chase Singleton B.S. B.S.

Leonardo Santos Mason Taylor M.S. B.S.

Hollie Thorne Fernanda Proano B.S. Ph.D.

Annabelle Yoder Viviana Freire Zapata B.S. M.S. 20 • ALUMNI PROFILES Where Are They Now? Interview with Dr. Michael Gates

Mulder – How many degrees do you hold from OSU and Mulder - How much mentoring did you feel you needed when was your last graduation date? after completing our program and moving into your first 2 positions? Gates – Only one degree from OSU, an M.S. in Entomology and I graduated in 1995. Gates – OSU prepared me quite well in the area of basic entomology, but I did need some mentoring in specific Mulder - What was your major emphasis and who was areas of systematics and parasitic Hymenoptera and this your advisor? was accomplished quite well with Dr. Heraty and Dr. John Pinto at Riverside. After the doctoral program, I went to Gates - My major emphasis was on stored product pests work with the USDA Systematic Entomology Laboratory and how they immigrate into commercial storages of hard in Beltsville, Maryland as a support scientist, and about red winter wheat. My advisor was Dr. Gerrit Cuperus and one year later as a Research Entomologist in that same also co-advised by the late Dr. Scott Fargo. laboratory.

Mulder - Do you feel our department prepared you well Mulder - What is the emphasis of all your current for your first job or next degree program? position?

Gates - Yes. I tried to take as many rigorous classes as Gates – Recently, I was appointed as the Research possible within the department and even took some Leader for the same laboratory, so about ¾ of my time is independent study classes with Dr. Berberet. His classes in consumed in administrative duties, and about ¼ of my time insect morphology and also in taxonomy, along with the I still get to work on parasitic Hymenoptera. insect biochemistry class with Dr. Dillwith were a challenge, rigorous and very much enjoyable. Rick Grantham and I Mulder - Was the salary associated with your positions actually took an independent study class from Dr. Berberet after graduate school in-line with your expectations? on immature insects and I believe we each had to collect about 150 different families of immatures. This was a real Gates – The post-doc was right in line with my challenge and allowed me to explore minute characteristics expectations. My current salary, as a GS-15, allows my of some very small insects. family to live quite comfortably in the Washington, D.C., area. Mulder – What was your next position after your M.S. degree, and how long did your first job last? Mulder - Looking back, would you have taken a different direction or taken additional classes or pursued other Gates - My next degree program was working on a Ph.D. studies to prepare for the job market? with Dr. John Heraty at the University of California – Riverside. This was a systematics project working with Gates – Not really at OSU, as I took the directed studies parasitic Hymenoptera. I graduated in 2000 and went on I wanted to take and challenged myself sufficiently with to a post-doctoral position at the University of Maryland those independent, special problems classes. At Riverside, funded by the Systematic Entomology Laboratory, working I might have taken advantage of more classwork in with Dr. Mike Schauff. advanced molecular evolution, to learn techniques and methods that could have been useful. Mulder - Why did you choose this area to work in for your career? Mulder - Has your career choice blended well with your family and personal time? Gates – What led me to my interest in parasitic Hymenoptera during my M.S. degree program was that Gates - Yes. My wife is very understanding and I have we discovered parasitoids deep within the grain mass (20 always sought work/life balance when my two sons were feet or more) where their hosts were located. They were younger. In addition, they all have a keen appreciation challenging to identify! and literacy when it comes to entomology. My oldest boy is now a biology major at George Mason University and my youngest is a high school junior. We still enjoy exploring nature and they tolerate Dad’s incessant focus on entomology. ALUMNI PROFILES • 21

Mulder – Looking back, what other roles would you have Mulder – The final question, and I think I know the answer explored on campus? to this one, but you have strayed to other institutions; do you still cheer for the Cowboys? Gates – Maybe I would have taken the time to explore more graduate student activities. However, I was busy Gates - YES! Whenever we can see a televised game for enough with my research and classwork. OSU we tune in and cheer them on. We still talk about the 1994 final four basketball team and Big Country. Mulder – Michael, do you remember a time when we may have been in the field together? Mulder - Michael, in light of that response, I would suggest that you might fit well into the student section; Gates – Were we collecting insects off of dead animal however, you will have to stand during the entire game. carcasses with other students? By the way, OSU Football is playing Tulsa this weekend on ESPN, so tune in. Thank you Michael for sharing some Mulder – No, we were in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife memories and time with me. I hope you have a wonderful Refuge and were successfully capturing many large year and enjoy your new promotion to Research Leader. tarantula hawk wasps.

Gates – Oh yes, now I remember and I believe I still have some of those specimens.

Dr. Gates with his son, Warner (left), wife, Lynette and son Fieldwork in the American Chestnut Land Trust in Maryland. Landon (far right). 22 • ALUMNI PROFILES

at the time, focused in other technology areas strategic Where Are They Now? to national security. In 2018, I assumed the role of VP of Interview with Dr. Stephanie Rogers Operations for all five of those initiatives combined, known as IQT Labs. I also maintained a principal investigator role Mulder – How many degrees do you hold from OSU and on applied research projects exploring how AI/ML could when was your last graduation date? be applied to biology to improve biodefense capabilities Rogers – Two degrees from OSU, a B.S. in Biochemistry and medical countermeasure development. All of this and Molecular Biology in 2006, and a Ph.D. in Plant knowledge and experience I gained through my PhD and Pathology in 2011. various roles at IQT is what led me to reach my current Mulder - What was your major emphasis and who was position at the Pentagon. As of August 2020, I am serving your advisor? as a Senior Biotechnology Advisor in the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense (Research and Engineering), Rogers - My major emphasis was on forensic plant where I get the honor of helping develop the technology pathology, specifically looking at wheat streak mosaic roadmap needed to modernize biotechnology for the DoD. virus and determining if we could trace a nefarious inoculation event on hard red winter wheat. My advisor Mulder - Why did you choose this area to work in for your was Dr. Jacque Fletcher, retired Emeritus, but I also worked career? closely with Dr. Bob Hunger. Rogers – I knew I eventually wanted to focus on Mulder - Do you feel our department prepared you well biodefense or forensic science and seriously thought for your first job or next degree program? about the FBI track, since I did an internship with them. My primary reason for switching to technology development Rogers - Yes. One of the attributes of the department that and innovation was because I wanted to apply my was very helpful in my career was the interdisciplinary knowledge of science to innovate new ways to protect nature of the two majors and having faculty that had a our nation. These include defending against threats but keen appreciation for applied aspects of what growers and also, and possibly more importantly, enabling a thriving industry folks face in making decisions on the farm. bioeconomy and biotechnology industry that will enable Mulder – What was your next position after your Ph.D. our nations ultimate ability to protect the health and degree, and how long did your first job last? What well-being of our people. Dr. Fletcher was tied in well with happened after that? the national security community at a federal level and Rogers - My first job after graduation was a post-doctoral was well-established in biodefense through the American research scientist at Quantico, Virginia with the Federal Phytopathological Society (APS), so mentoring under her Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to research and evaluate new and gaining those connections was invaluable to where I approaches to microbial forensics for case investigations, wanted to end up. such as the Amerithrax investigation in the early 2000s. Mulder - How much mentoring did you feel you needed Seven months later, I was recruited by In-Q-Tel, Inc. (IQT), after completing our program and moving into your first the private, not-for-profit strategic investment firm that 2 positions? bridges the gap between start-up technology companies I love this question because I believe mentorship and the national security community, such as the Rogers – is a must-have for everyone. I have always sought out Intelligence Community, Department of Defense (DOD), a mentor in every position I have assumed. In fact, I still Department of Homeland Security (DHS), FBI, and others. call Jacque from time to time. Mentors do not just help We worked very closely with our federal government you navigate your current position, but they become partners to understand their mission and identify advocates for your career and future. Especially in the technologies that would help them refine and develop federal government arena, your network is what opens up their technology and innovation strategies to improve the doors for more and better opportunities. Since I have taken security of our nation. I started as a Program Manager on many leadership roles, I continue to pay it forward by for all of the life science investments. That included mentoring others. technologies for DNA sequencing and synthesis, biological sample preparations, bioinformatics, rapid human Mulder - What is the emphasis of your current position? identification, advanced analytics using machine learning Rogers – There is so much research and development and others. In that role, I managed the multi-million dollar happening in biotechnology that it is nearly impossible to portfolio of life science investments, working alongside keep up with the latest developments. My teammates and I each technology company and the government agencies help to assess the innovation happening and identify what to ensure the developed product had a commercial market, approaches and technologies will make a difference to the while also serving the needs of the government. In 2015, mission of the DoD. With that knowledge, we work with I assumed the role of Deputy Director of B.Next which is components of the DoD to establish the strategic roadmap IQT’s strategic initiative focused on applying technology to and integrate these technologies into their operations. improve the nation’s ability to detect and stop infectious Microorganisms are nature’s best manufacturers. They disease epidemics. IQT had four other strategic initiatives ALUMNI PROFILES • 23 produce all sorts of compounds that enable their survival roles across campus and in the department. I had many in a variety of different environments. We can leverage opportunities to be a voice for students, which motivated what nature already gives us to make more protective me to take action on situations, which was good training materials, growable infrastructure, more sustainable for my career. I was a trial hire for IQT, the first Ph.D. to energy, on-demand therapeutics and much more. The serve as a program manager. One of my first critiques field of biotechnology and biological engineering has just was that I needed to become “more noisy”, meaning I scratched the surface on what is possible. It is a really should not be afraid to speak up and let people know that exciting time to be working in this domain. I had an opinion. The company valued my opinion, I just Mulder - Was the salary associated with your positions needed to let it be known. I had to prove that I deserved after graduate school in-line with your expectations? to be there because of my knowledge – not just to the company but also to myself! That was an important lesson The post-doc was a little light for the area of the Rogers – at the time and because of my experiences at OSU, I had country, but it only lasted seven months. The remaining a base understanding of what that meant - to advocate positions were very much in line with my expectations. for myself, for what I believed to be the right decision Mulder - Looking back, would you have taken a different using the knowledge and expertise that I brought to the direction or taken additional classes or pursued other table, and always being sure to do so with respect, grace studies to prepare for the job market? and compassion for my colleagues. channeled those OSU Rogers – I have thought about taking some business experiences and all the encouragement Dr. Fletcher and courses or pursuing an MBA because of the work I did my committee gave me through graduate school. It paid with start-up companies. Some of that knowledge would off because it wasn’t long before IQT went from a company have helped with the private sector position, particularly with 75 employees to over double the size and I was able as I moved into a management role in organizing and road to progress in my leadership roles along with that growth. mapping a direction for the company. However, I was able Mulder – Stephanie, that is a great story for many of our to learn the knowledge I needed through colleagues and quieter students and, knowing how introverted you once first-hand experience, so it wasn’t essential. The strong were, it is also good to hear. I also know you took that in foundation I already have in science is the most important. the right direction and did not just become opinionated Mulder - Has your career choice blended well with your or boisterous, but I assume just expressed yourself more family and personal time? often and did not hesitate to make your voice heard. Rogers - Yes, especially at IQT. They really understood and Rogers – That’s right, it took some conscientious effort on supported work/life balance. That was very helpful when my part to be less introverted, but I think I have achieved it my two boys, Logan, 7, and Alex, 4, were really young. and done so in a positive way. Mulder – Looking back, what other roles would you have Mulder – The final question, and I think I know the answer explored on campus? to this one, do you still cheer for the Cowboys? Rogers – None, because I was already extremely active Rogers – YES! We don’t get to many OSU games in the as Vice President of the Graduate Student Association, D.C. area, but I catch them when I can. I will forever and Graduate Student Representative to the Faculty Council’s always bleed orange!! Campus Safety & Security committee and other leadership

Dr. Rogers on her first day at the Department of Defense with the Dr. Rogers’ two sons, Logan, 4, Dr. Rogers and Dr. Jacquelyn Fletcher Pentagon in the background and Alex, 7 24 • ALUMNI PROFILES Where Are They Now? New displays in the department

In the fall of 2020, we decided to recognize some of our more recent undergraduate and graduate students who have moved on to full-time employment, additional degree programs, or professional schools. We would encourage anyone coming into the main office to take a few minutes to visit these glass display cases in the main hallway and read about the wonderful continued successes associated with many of our more recently graduated students. We may be expanding this program next year, to include recognition of summer internships and other significant accomplishments of our graduates. We are so proud of all they have accomplished and I am sure will continue to accomplish! 2020 FERGUSON COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS • 25 2020 Ferguson College of Agriculture Distinguished Alumnus Dr. Kenneth Pinkston

Dr. Ken Pinkston received his B.S. Dr. Pinkston participated in a nine-month review of classes degree in Entomology in 1966, and his and extension programs similar to ones offered at OSU. He Ph.D. also in entomology in 1973 from spent three months each at Texas A&M, Purdue, and North Oklahoma State University (OSU). Carolina State. As a result of this review, the following were While working on his B.S. degree, Ken developed: (1) Training materials and manuals for state pest worked summers with his father in the control operators, (2) a teaching manual for horticultural pest control business for Capitol Termite entomology, (3) a teaching booklet for non-entomology Company in Oklahoma City. During the majors that became the primary text for Entomology 2003 academic years of 1964-1965, he served - Insects and Society. Dr. Pinkston conducted chemical as a research assistant at the Chickasha control tests for new products designed for the control of Cotton Research Station and in the pests associated with peanuts, cotton, and soybeans as OSU Department of Entomology. After completing his B.S. well as household and structural pests. degree, Ken was an electronic communications officer for Dr. Ken Pinkston epitomizes all things OSU. He is a the U.S. Air Force at Scott Air Force Base, Belleville, Illinois. die-hard OSU Cowboy and Cowgirl fan and has been his From 1970 to 1973, he served as a graduate research entire life. His career highlights demonstrate his numerous assistant in the Department of Entomology at OSU while accomplishments at several levels, especially in regard pursuing his Ph.D. degree and took his first job as Area to every arm of OSU’s land-grant mission. Ken was an Extension Entomologist for OSU in 1973 in Muskogee, OK. integral leader within the Division of Agricultural Sciences In 1975, he returned to Stillwater to assume the position and Natural Resources and was often called upon by of Professor and Extension State Entomologist at OSU, the department head to engage the troops (extension fulfilling these responsibilities until he retired in 2004. faculty, students, researchers and technicians) about During the 1990’s he taught a course for horticulture better aligning our department for future success. He majors and turf management students called “Horticultural was a mentor to me shortly after my arrival on campus Entomology”. Beginning in 1991 and ending in 2003, Dr. and genuinely had a profound effect on the conduct of Pinkston was challenged with the task of building up my extension, research, and teaching roles within the what the administration thought should have been a very department. Ken’s contributions to establishing and popular course, “Insects and Society”, but was faced with garnering financial support for the Endowed Professorship a student enrollment of around 14 the first semester he of Structural and Urban Pest Control and to our teaching taught the course. By the time he retired, enrollment in program continue to play a pivotal role within the Insects and Society averaged over 300 per year with two department. His connectivity to many donors across the fall sections and one in the spring. Ken and the department state, particularly through the Oklahoma Pest Control had found his calling and his passion, teaching. Throughout Association, was instrumental in moving our Pesticide his career, he taught many 4-H and FFA students in Safety Education and Urban and Structural Pest Control Oklahoma and provided support for exhibits and insect program forward in a positive and productive fashion. Dr. identification contests at the state fairs. He also became Pinkston was instrumental in establishing the Pinkston heavily involved in pest control operator (PCO) training Education Facility for Structural and Urban Pest Control with the Pesticide Safety Education Program at OSU which continues to provide many opportunities for teaching literally thousands of PCO’s the proper, safe, and pesticide applicators to learn proper, safe, and effective effective use of pesticides. In 1985, while on sabbatical, approaches to controlling general household pests 26 • PUBLICATIONS as well as wood-destroying insects like termites. This Pinkston Entomology Endowment Fund. In addition to program has ultimately resulted in nearly a 95% decrease this fund, Ken was designated by OSU and the OPCA in citizen complaints to the Oklahoma Department of Committee to continue his work with the Foundation on Agriculture, Food, and Forestry concerning Oklahoma pest this important account. Ken’s efforts were essential and management professional services. By establishing the instrumental in finding innovative ways to reach his goal of foundation for the training program, Dr. Pinkston facilitated establishing an Endowed Professorship in Structural and others within the department (Dr. Jim Criswell, Dr. Brad Household Pest Control. Ultimately, he wanted to see that Kard, Mr. Kevin Shelton) to continue and expand the Professorship become upgraded to the Chair level, and in teaching and training program emphasis. Dr. Pinkston was 2019 this became a reality. What better way to celebrate instrumental in finding the right person, to fill the Endowed these accomplishments than to recognize the individual Professorship position (Dr. Kard) to continue to pursue that started it all and saw the initial endowment phases excellence in structural and urban pest management. through to fruition. I cannot think of a worthier and more Ken has always given credit to many people including: dedicated alumnus than Dr. Ken Pinkston. Even at nearly Denver Talley, Dick and Brad Parker, Dr. Ed King, Dr. Sterett 77 years of age, he still makes proud posts about OSU Robertson (early program supporters), and many others accomplishments on his Facebook page and continuously associated with the OPCA over his career. In 1990, as part exemplifies the Cowboy Way. Ken is humble and proud to of their dedication and loyalty to OSU, Ken and Charlene call himself an OSU Cowboy for Life. took out a $50,000 life insurance policy to establish The

In Memoriam of Ms. Jill Wick

Age 50, Senior Financial Assistant for the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology at Oklahoma State University, died on December 12, 2019, following a challenging period dealing with ovarian cancer. She was born on October 22, 1969, in Wautoma, Wisconsin, the daughter of Richard and Patricia Poulos. She spent her childhood in New Lenox, Illinois and later moved to Menifee, California where she met her husband, Randy Wick. They were married on April 27, 1991, in Redlands, California. They moved to Stillwater in 1992 where they raised three children. The love of her children was of the utmost importance in her life. She was a devoted mother and wife who enjoyed trips to the beach. She loved their lake home on Kaw Lake and it was termed “Jill’s Happy Place”. Prior to joining our department, Jill worked as a medical assistant and conducted mobile insurance exams. She began working in our department as a Financial Assistant on March 10, 2014, handling P-card accounts, requisitions, campus vendor invoices, department deposits, etc. while also working on her degree in business. She received her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from OSU in May 2016. On August 29, 2018, she began her new position as Senior Financial Assistant in the department. This position entailed data input of expenditures on grants and departmental accounts, reconciling accounts, processing requisitions for grant subcontracts and monthly cost share, etc. Survivors include her husband Randy; daughter Megan Treanor and husband Jacob; son Matthew; and daughter Madison all of Stillwater; her mother Patricia Francher and husband Ray of Cushing; her father Richard Poulos of Tennessee; her sister Jean Solares and husband Brian Cahoon of Des Moines, Iowa, and their children; and brother Jay and Shae Poulous and children of Stillwater. Two brothers, Jimmy and John Poulos, preceded her in death. PUBLICATIONS • 27 2020 Publications

Ala, A. A., G. O. Otitodun, S. K. Ajao, Nwaubani, S. I, G. P. Opit, J. A. Braimah, et al. 2020. A comparison of integrated pest management and traditional practices for bagged maize stored in Nigeria. Journal of Stored Products Research 86 (2020) 101571.

Andreason, S., M. Arif, J. Brown, F. Ochoa Corona, A. Wayadande. 2020. Exploring the Use of High-Resolution Melting Analysis and Helicase-Dependent Amplification for Discrimination of Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) Cryptic Species and Trialurodes vaporarium. J. Econ. Entomol, 113: 2511–2520

Bosomtwe, A., E. A. Osekre, G. V. Bingham, and G. P. Opit. 2020. Evaluation of Zerofly® Hermetic Storage Bags for Protection of Maize Against Insect Pests in Ghana. International Journal of Scientific & Technology Research 9 (9): 192–202.

Bosomtwe, A., E.A. Osekre, G. P. Opit, and E. P. Nsiah. 2020. Evaluation of Plastic and Steel Bins for Protection of Stored Maize against Insect Infestation in Ghana. Journal of Global Agriculture and Ecology 9: 30–42

Cao, X., Y. Wang, J. Rogers, S. Hartson, H. Jiang, (2020) Changes in composition and levels of hemolymph proteins during metamorphosis of Manduca sexta. Insect Biochem. Mol. Biol. in press.

Connally, A., D. Smith, S. Marek, Y. Wu, and N.R. Walker, Phylogenetic Evaluation of Bipolaris and Curvularia spp. Collected from Turfgrasses. Int. Turfgrass Soc. Res. J. In Press.

Damicone, J., F. Cevallos, M. Trent, C. Diaz, B. Johnson, and Z. Hubhachen. 2020. Biology and management of bacterial spot of peppers in Oklahoma. Plant Dis. 104:in press.

Damicone, J., and Hubhachen, Z. 2020. Evaluation of fungicides for control of blackleg on winter canola, 2019. Plant Dis. Manag. Rep. 14:CF180. Online publication. doi: 10.1094/PDMR14.

Damicone, J., M. Musick, T.K. Wallace, B. Johnson, and Z. Hubhachen. 2020. Evaluation of fungicide programs for control of foliar diseases and stem rot on Spanish-type peanuts, 2019. Plant Dis. Manag. Rep. 14:CF139. Online publication. doi: 10.1094/PDMR14.

Damicone, J., M. Musick, T.K. Wallace, B. Johnson, and Z. Hubhachen. 2020. Evaluation of Lucento fungicide programs for control of early leaf spot and stem rot on Spanish-type peanuts, 2019. Plant Dis. Manag. Rep. 14:CF140. Online publication. doi: 10.1094/PDMR14.

Damicone, J., M. Musick, T.K. Wallace, B. Johnson, and Z. Hubhachen. 2020. Evaluation of fungicide programs for control of early leaf spot and stem rot on Spanish-type peanuts, 2019. Plant Dis. Manag. Rep. 14:CF141. Online publication. doi: 10.1094/ PDMR14.

Damicone, J., M. Musick, T.K. Wallace, B. Johnson, and Z. Hubhachen. 2020. Evaluation of fungicide programs for control of early leaf spot on Spanish-type peanuts, 2019. Plant Dis. Manag. Rep. 14:CF142. Online publication. doi: 10.1094/PDMR14.

Damicone, J., D. Teeter, T.K. Wallace, and M. Musick. 2020. Evaluation of fungicides for control of foliar diseases of soybeans at Bixby, OK, 2019. Plant Dis. Manag. Rep. 14:CF143. Online publication. doi: 10.1094/PDMR14.

Damicone, J., D. Teeter, T.K. Wallace, and Musick, M. 2020. Evaluation of fungicides for control of foliar diseases of soybeans at Stillwater, OK, 2019. Plant Dis. Manag. Rep. 14:CF144. Online publication. doi: 10.1094/PDMR14. di Andrea Gentili, Sauro Simoni, Laura Tomassoli, Francisco M. Ochoa-Corona, Francesco Faggioli. Il virus del rosettamento è una minaccia. Colture Protette, n. 09 - ottobre 2020, 52-54.

C. Diaz, S. Molina, M. Smith, C. Rohla and L. Ma. 2020. Prevalence of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli and Salmonella in native pecan orchards as influenced by waiting periods between grazing and harvest. Food Control. (Accepted). 28 • PUBLICATIONS

Espindola, A.S., K.F. Cardwell, Microbe Finder (MiFi®): An interactive pathogen detection tool In metagenomic sequence data. under review. MDPI Plants.

Espindola, A.S., K.F. Cardwell, F. Martin, P.R. Hoyt, S.M. Marek, W. Schneider, C.D. Garzon, Rapid identification of plant pathogenic Oomycetes using E-probes as a metagenome screening Tool. under review. Phytopathology.

Fang, T., L. Lei, G. Li, C. Powers, R.M. Hunger, B.F. Carver, and L. Yan. 2020. Development and deployment of KASP markers for multiple alleles of Lr34 in wheat. Theoretical and Applied Genetics 133(7):2183-2195 (doi:

Ferguson, M.E., A.M. Berro, J.C. Lindenmayer, C. Singleton, and T.A. Royer. 2020. Development and life history of Zelus tetracanthus Stål (Hemiptera: Reduviidae): a potential predator of Diorhabda spp. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in Tamarix spp. L. (Caryophyllales: Tamaricaceae). Southwestern Entomologist 45: 17-30.

Garner KD, M.E. Payton, J.L.Talley, B.H. Noden. 2020. Olfactory responses of Amblyomma maculatum to rumen fluid and other odorants that attract blood-seeking arthropods. Medical and Veterinary Entomology 34(1):49-58.

Gautam, S. G., G. P. Opit, C. Konemann, K. Shakya, and E. Hosoda. 2020. Phosphine Resistance in Saw-toothed Grain Beetle, Oryzaephilus surinamensis in the United States. Journal of Stored Products Research.

Hayashida, R., C. V. Godoy, W. W. Hoback, and A, F. Bueno. In press. Are economic thresholds for IPM decisions the same for low LAI soybean cultivars in Brazil? Pest Management Science.

Hess, T.M., B.H. Noden, L. Whiteman, M. Reed, B. Kard, and W.W. Hoback. In press. Mosquito community and West Nile virus risk on a National Guard training base in Oklahoma. Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association.

Hoback, W.W., L. Freeman, M. Payton, and B.C. Peterson. 2020. Burying beetle (Coleoptera: Silphidae: Nicrophorus Fabricius) brooding improves soil fertility. Coleopterists Bulletin. 74: 427-433.

Hoback, W.W., R. Hayashida, J. Ziems, B. Zechmann, A. F. Bueno, and L.G. Higley. In press. Yield response of determinate chipping potato, Solanum tuberosum L. to artificial defoliation. Journal of Economic Entomology.

Hoback, W.W., J. Jurzenski, K. M. Farnsworth-Hoback, and K.A. Roeder. 2020. Invasive saltcedar and drought impact ant communities and isopods in south-central Nebraska. Environmental Entomology 49: 607-614.

Hu, L., G. Cao, E. W. Brown, M. W. Allard, L. Ma, A. Khan and G. Zhang. 2020. Antimicrobial resistance and related genes analysis of Salmonella from egg and chicken sources by Whole Genomics Sequencing. Poultry Sci.

Hung, K., J. McElfresh, C. Jou, A. Wayadande, A. Gerry. 2020. Identification of Volatiles From Plants Infested With Honeydew-Producing Insects, and Attraction of House Flies (Diptera: Muscidae) to These Volatiles. J. Med. Entomol. 57: 667-676.

Jarrell, K. R., E. J. Rebek, A. C. Wayandande and K. L. Giles. 2020. Biology, Ecology, and Management of Eastern Grape Leafhopper (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), a Key Pest of Vineyards in North America. J. Integrated Pest Management.

Kard, B. M., C. E. Konemann, K. T. Shelton and C. C. Luper. 2020. Drywood Termites: Occasional Hitch-Hikers into Oklahoma. Pest e-Alerts Vol. 19, No. 10.

Kard, B. M., C. E. Konemann, K. T. Shelton and C. C. Luper. 2020. Drywood Termites: Exotic Travelers to Oklahoma. OCES Fact Sheet EPP-7337.

Keene, K., C.M., Malmstrom, H.M., Alexander, A. Wayadande, K.R. Denning. 2020. Low conservatism of leafhopper communities in remnant and reconstructed prairie sites in a working agroecological landscape. J. Insect Conservation, 24: 35-48 PUBLICATIONS • 29

Koralewski, T. E., H. H. Wang, W. E. Grant, M. J. Brewer, N. C. Elliott, J. K. Westbrook, A. Szczepaniec, A. Knutson, K. L. Giles and J. P. Michaud. 2020. Integrating Models of Atmospheric Dispersion and Crop Pest Dynamics: Linking Detection of Local Aphid Infestations to Forecasts of Region-Wide Invasion of Cereal Crops. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Amer. 113: 79-87.

Lindenmayer, J.C., K.L. Giles, N.C. Elliott, M. Payton, A.E. Knutson, R. Bowling, N.J. Seiter, B. McCornack, S.A. Brown, M.J. Brewer, A.L. Catchot and T.A. Royer. 2020. Development of binomial sequential sampling plans for sugarcane aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in commercial grain sorghum. Journal of Economic Entomology 113: 1990-1998

Machtinger, E.T., A.C. Gerry, A.C. Murillo, J.L. Talley. 2020. Filth fly species and their impacts on animal production in the United States. J. Integrated Pest Mgt. In-Press

Marburger, D.A., A. de Oliveira Silva, R.M. Hunger, J.T. Edwards, L. Van der Laan, A.M. Blakey, C-C. Kan, L. Yan, K.A. Garland- Campbell, R.L. Bowden, M.-S. Chen, M. Tilley, Y.R. Chen, G. Bai, B.W. Seabourn, Y.Jin, J.A. Kolmer, G..Davila-El Rassi, P. Rayas- Duarte, and B.F. Carver. 2020. Gallagher’ and ‘Iba’ hard red winter wheat: Half-sibs inseparable by yield gain, separable by producer preference. Journal of Plant Registrations (accepted, October 2020).

Miao, Z., X. Cao, H. Jiang (2020) Digestion-related proteins in the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta. Insect Biochem. Mol. Biol. 126, 103457

Noden, B.H., D. Bradt, J. Sanders. In Press. Mosquito-borne parasites in the Great Plains: searching for vectors of nematodes and avian malaria parasites. Acta Tropica xx(x): xx-xx.

Noden B.H., K.D. Garner, D. Lalman, J. L. Talley. 2020. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding ticks, tick-borne pathogens, and tick prevention among beef producers in Oklahoma. Southwest Entomologist 45(2):241-350.

Noden B.H., M.A. Roselli, S.R. Loss. 2020. Rickettsia parkeri and Candidatus Rickettsia andeanae in Amblyomma maculatum Group ticks. Emerging Infectious Diseases 26(2): 371-374

Noden, B.H., E.P. Tanner, J.A. Polo, S.D. Fuhlendorf,. In Press. Invasive woody plants as foci of tick-borne pathogens: Eastern redcedar in the southern Great Plains of the USA. Journal of Vector Ecology xx(x):xx-xx.

Nwaubani, S. I., G. O. Otitodun, S. K. Ajao, G. P. Opit, A. A. Ala, M. O. Omobowale, et al. 2020. Assessing efficacies of insect pest management methods for stored bagged maize preservation in storehouses located in Nigerian markets. Journal of Stored Products Research 86 (2020) 101566.

Oi., F. M., B. T. Forschler, B. M. Kard, B. L. Thorne, S. C. Jones and J. Diaz. 2020. Termite Pre-treatment and New Construction Treatment Practices. Journal of IPM (in press).

Paudyal, S., J. S. Armstrong, K. L. Giles, W. Hoback, R. Aiken and M. Payton. 2020. Differential Responses of Sorghum Genotypes to Sugarcane Aphid Feeding. Planta. 252:

Paudyal, S. J.S. Armstrong, K.L. Giles, W. W. Hoback, R. Aiken, and M.E. Payton. 2020. Differential responses of sorghum genotypes to sugarcane aphid feeding. Planta. 252: 14. 1-9

Payton, T. L., E. J. Rebek, and M. Payton. 2020. Foliar- and soil-applied pesticide compatibility with Aphidius colemani parasitoids. Southwestern Entomologist 45(1): 31-40.

Ramos K., Y. Sivaprasad, F. Guevara, F. M. Ochoa-Corona, W. Viera, F. Flores. Occurrence of potato yellowing virus in naranjilla (Solanum quitoense Lam.) in Ecuador. Journal of Plant Pathology (2020) 102:597

R. Rattner, S. Prasad Thapa, T. Dang, F. Osman, V. Selvaraj, Y. Maheshwari, D. Pagliaccia, A.S. Espindola, S. Hajeri, J. Chen, G. Coaker, G. Vidalakis, R. Yokomi, Genome analysis of Spiroplasma citri strains from different host plants and its leafhopper vectors. under review. BMC Genomics.

30 • PUBLICATIONS

Roselli M.A., S. Cady, S. Lao, B.H. Noden, S.R. Loss. 2020. Variation in tick load among bird body parts: implications for studying the role of birds in the ecology and epidemiology of tick-borne diseases. Journal of Medical Entomology. 57(3): 845-851.

Roth, M. G., R.W. Webster, D.S. Mueller, D. S., M.I. Chilvers, T.R. Faske,, F.M. Mathew, C.A. Bradley, J.P. Damicone, M. Kabbage, and D.L. Smith. 2020. Integrated management of important soybean pathogens of the United States in changing climate. J. Integrated Pest Management 11(1);17. doi.org/10.1093/jipm/ pmaa013.

Rydzak, P., F.M. Ochoa Corona, A.E. Whitfield,A.C. Wayadande. 2020. Combining multiplex PCR and high-resolution melting for the detection and discrimination of arthropod transmitted viruses of cereals. Journal of Virological Methods. 278:113823

Sanders, J.D., J.L. Talley, A.E. Frasier, B.H. Noden. In Press. Landscape and anthropogenic factors associated with adult Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus presence and abundance in small cities in the southern Great Plains. Insects xx(x): xx- xx

Seuhs, S.K. Fact Sheets: New: EPP-7102 Managing Alfalfa Weevil Insecticide Resistance New: EPP-7680 Oklahoma Management Calendar for Insects and Diseases

Seuhs, S.K. and P. G. Mulder, 2019. Evaluation of Insecticide Performance for Control of Pecan Weevil and Hickory Shuckworm, 2019. Arthropod Management Tests, In publication: Oct 2020.

Seuhs, S.K., 2018. Evaluations of Insecticide Performance for Control of Alfalfa Weevil Larvae and Aphids, 2020, Arthropod Management Tests, In publication: Oct 2020

Talley, J.L. and E.T. Machtinger. 2020. Chapter 16: Livestock Entomology. In: Forensic Entomology: The utility of arthropods in legal investigations. 3rd Edition. Ed. J.H. Byrd, J.L. Castner, and J. Tomberlin. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL.

Van der Colf, B, van Zyl, B.H. Noden, D. Ntirampeba. 2020. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii among urban pregnant women attending public antenatal care in Windhoek, Namibia, 2016. South African Journal of Infectious Diseases 35(1): a25.

Van der Laan, L., C. Goad, M. Tilley, G. Davila-El Rassi, A.M. Blakely, P. Rayas-Duarte, R.M. Hunger, A. de Oliveira Silva, and B.F. Carver. 2020. Genetic responses in milling, flour quality, and wheat sensitivity traits to grain yield improvement in U.S. hard winter wheat. Journal of Cereal Science 93 (9pp.)

Vazquez-Iglesias I., F.M. Ochoa-Corona, J. Tang, R. Robinson, F.R.G. Clover, A. Fox, N. Boonham. Facing Rose rosette virus: A risk to European rose cultivation. Plant Pathology. 2020;00:1–15.

Vitale, J. D., P. P. Vitale, F. M. Epplin, K. L. Giles, N. C. Elliott, F. B. Peairs, G. J. Michels Jr., G. L. Hein, P. A. Burgener and S. P. Keenan. 2020. Farm Management Practices Used by Wheat Producers in the Western Great Plains: Estimating Their Productivity and Profitability. J. of Applied Farm Econ.

Walker, N. R. Nematode-fungal Interactions. In: Kirkpatrick, T. L., and Rothrock, C. S. eds. Compendium of Cotton Diseases, 3rd Edition. APS Press. St. Paul, MN. In Press.

Wang, Y., F. Yang, X. Cao, R. Huang., S. Paskewitz, S.D. Hartson, M.R. Kanost, H. Jiang (2020) Inhibition of immune pathway-initiating hemolymph protease-14 by Manduca sexta serpin-12, a conserved mechanism for the regulation of melanization and Toll activation in insects. Insect Biochem. Mol. Biol. 116, 103261. (reported as in press last year)

Wang, Y., F. Yang, X. Cao, Z. Zou, Z. Lu, M.R. Kanost, H. Jiang (2020) Hemolymph protease-5 links the melanization and Toll immune pathways in the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 117, 23581-23587 PUBLICATIONS • 31

Watson, B.H, R.M. Hunger, and D.A. Marburger. 2020. Economic returns of one versus two fungicide applications in Oklahoma winter wheat. Crop Science 60:441-453

Wayadande A.C., E.A. Backus, Noden B.H., Ebert T. 2020. Waveforms from stylet probing of the mosquito Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) measured by AC-DC electropenetrography. Journal of Medical Entomology 57(2):353-368.

Wu, Yanqi., Dennis L. Martin, Justin Q. Moss, Nathan R. Walker and Charles Fontanier. Bermudagrass Plant Named ‘OKC 1131’. US Plant Patent 31,695. Issued: 04-21-2020. Inventors

Zarrabi, A.A., T.A. Royer, G.B. Wallace, S.K. Seuhs, K.L. Giles, and N.L. Harrison. In Press Efficacy Of Foliar Insecticides Against Green Stink Bug And Green Cloverworm In Soybean. Arthropod Management Tests

Zarrabi, A.A., T.A. Royer, G.B. Wallace, S.K. Seuhs, K.L. Giles, and N.L. Harrison. In Press Insecticide Efficacy For Control Of Banks Grass Mites And Two-Spotted Spider Mites On Corn. Arthropod Management Tests 32 • SUPPORT THE DEPARTMENT Giving Toward the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology The Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology values and encourages our students in all aspects of their education. In addition, the department is grateful to our alumni, friends, and other supporters in the many ways they contribute toward the success of our students. The many financial contributions made on behalf of the department are essential in providing our students with top-quality research seminars each semester, educational and research opportunities for students, and a variety of Scholarships and scholar awards. This year, I want to continue to focus on the same three funds from last year, all of which are essential in supporting both undergraduate and graduate students in both disciplines within our department

D.E. Howell Scholarship Fund (Fund # 21-34600) $______

This endowed scholarship fund was established by the Oklahoma Pest Control Association and the Friends of “Mike” Howell. Dr. Howell was the Department Head of Entomology from 1952 to 1970. During his tenure as department head, many advanced degrees were awarded to military and civilian students, specifically in medical and veterinary entomology. The scholarship supports full-time students in the Department of Entomology who display high academic achievement (GPA 3.0 or higher) and outstanding leadership. Preference is given to incoming freshman but an upperclassman can be considered.

Plant Pathology (Fund #21-30300) $______

Income received annually from this fund shall be used for program support of plant pathology. This is not an endowed fund and may be supported in nearly any fashion with gifts from donors. It provides programmatic support for plant pathology functions within the department or at regional and national meetings. This fund was established to support visiting scientist presentations on campus, travel, or other expenses associated with meetings, so that OSU plant pathology remains current and competitive within the discipline.

Entomology Program Development (Fund #21-27900) $______

Income received annually from this fund shall be used for program support of entomology. This is not an endowed fund and may be supported in nearly any fashion with gifts from donors. It provides programmatic support for entomology functions within the department or at regional and national meetings. This fund was established to support visiting scientist presentations on campus, travel, or other expenses associated with meetings, so that OSU entomology remains current and competitive within the discipline.

Please complete this form and return to:

OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION 400 S. Monroe, Stillwater, OK 74074 phone 800.622.4678 [email protected]

You may also make checks payable to OSU Foundation and designate your desired area of support in the EPP Department. For further information on giving toward or endowing funds for recognition of a specific individual, please contact the department.

DEPARTMENT OF ENTOMOLOGY AND PLANT PATHOLOGY 127 Noble Research Center Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078 Ph: (405) 744-5530 [email protected]