Biological control, IPM for ornamentals and vegetables grown in controlled environments, biodemographics, plant-insect interactions, physical ambient manipulation for insect control, whitefly management.

Ph.D. 2000 Purdue University: Entomology, Biological Control

M.S. 1996 Purdue University: Entomology, Biological Control

B.S. 1994 Panamerican College of Agriculture: Plant Protection

Research (45% appointment):

The long term goals of my lab are to understand the ecology of major insect pest groups of ornamentals and vegetables produced in controlled environments and to develop ecologically based management practices that will reduce our dependence on pesticides and have less adverse effects on the environment. With this in mind, the core objectives of my research program will be (1) to advance our understanding of ecological principles and how they are driving the population trends observed for major insect pest groups of ornamentals and vegetables produced in controlled environments and their natural enemies, (2) apply these ecological principles to develop management practices for insect pests, and (3) develop IPM solutions for ornamental and vegetables that can be applied not only in controlled environments but elsewhere.

Current projects examine the effects of physical and cultural controls on life history traits of selected pests of plants grown in controlled environments. In addition, I am exploring the effect of the level of initial insect infestation on overall distribution as well as the relationship between soil health, plant defenses and insect biodemography.

Extension (40% appointment):

My long term extension goal is to establish a well known program that provides insect management options for growers of ornamentals and vegetables and promotes the development of IPM programs in controlled environments. In addition, it is critical for my program to integrate both my Extension and Research efforts in order to promote long term solutions for pest management in controlled environments. Currently my program intends to deliver programming information in the following core areas: (1) plant health management for growers of plants in controlled environments, (2) developing of IPM programs for commercial greenhouses, (3) biological control and other alternatives to insecticides for management of major insect pests of ornamental and vegetables grown in controlled environments, and (4) ecologically-based options for insect management on plants grown in controlled environments.

Teaching (15% appointment):

ENT460: Introduction to Economic Entomology.

ENT795.04: Advanced Biological Control.

Advisees:

Karla Medina-Ortega (Honduras), PhD student.

Claudia Kuniyoshi (Peru), PhD student.

Ronald Batallas (Ecuador), Visiting Scholar.