Candidates for Society Elections

ESA Vice President-Elect

• Karla Addesso, Tennessee State University
• Jesus F. Esquivel, USDA Agricultural Research Service

Karla Addesso
Tennessee State University

Bio: Dr. Addesso is a professor and director at Tennessee State University’s Otis L. Floyd Nursery Research Center. She is endorsed by P-IE, SysEB, and PBT Sections and Southeastern and North Central Branches. She earned her B.S. in biology from The College of New Jersey and Ph.D. in entomology from the University of Florida. Her research focuses on the management of woody ornamental pests through the integration of cultural practices, selective chemical use, and biological control. She led a multistate, cross-commodity team to develop best management practices for native flatheaded borers in specialty crop systems. Her students have gone on to careers in industry, government, and academia in the U.S. and abroad. In her current administrative role, she provides leadership to faculty, USDA scientists, students, and staff at the Nursery Research Center to address stakeholder needs.

Past ESA activity or other volunteer service: Dr. Addesso has been an active member of ESA for 22 years, serving two terms on the ESA Governing Board (2018-2025) as the Southeastern Branch representative, where she was also a member of the Board’s Executive Committee and served as Board liaison to the Finance, Common Names, and Entomology Games Committees. She served on the Presidential Task Force on Education Needs, helping to develop the framework that led to the creation of the FIT Section, and the Financial Task Force, which provided recommendations to support the ESA’s long term financial stability. Dr. Addesso has served ESA on Branch Student Awards and Membership Committees and led the development of the SEB Student Registration Scholarship. She currently serves as an associate editor for Environmental Entomology and Tennessee Greentimes and is the Secretary/Treasurer of the Tennessee Entomological Society.

Candidate statement: If elected, I will ensure ESA is addressing the ever-changing needs of all its members, regardless of career stage, discipline, or region. Here are some examples of how:

• I will increase communication and transparency at all levels of our Society, particularly between our groups of volunteer leaders that are the essential backbone of ESA.
• I will work closely with the emerging FIT Section to ensure their group thrives and has the support they need.
• I will prioritize financial stability and resilience, which will be informed by my knowledge of ESA’s finances from past Board service and experience in administrating a major research center.
• My leadership style prioritizes listening and consensus building, which are critical for any Society changes to be successful. ESA has been integral to my growth as an entomologist. I am committed to paying that back.

VP-Elect candidate statement on critical issues and future vision for the Society: As entomologists, we take pride in knowing we’ll always be in demand, as insect challenges are constant. However, evolving policies, funding, and trust mean that ESA must actively listen to and communicate with its members to stay aligned with their needs and move forward with purpose. Here are some priority areas:

• ESA must reassess how it provides value to all members. While student membership and participation show exciting growth, we see a drop-off during the transition to ECP and regular membership. For many, ESA’s relevance fades at this critical point. Focusing on the strength of our science and demonstrating value to members will be essential to improving retention.
• As the enthusiasm around development of the FIT Section shows, ESA must do more to support members engaged in teaching, extension, and outreach. I was proud to serve on the task force that enabled the formation of FIT and look forwarding to continuing its momentum.
• Financial stability is critical. To sustain and grow the programs our members expect, we must review existing activities and diversify revenue streams. Current efforts to elevate our publications are bearing fruit, and I will explore growth in fundraising, sponsorship, and certification.

Through my role leading a research center that brings together a diverse mix of entomologists from academia, government, and industry across career stages, I’m no stranger to navigating complex professional landscapes. Consensus building and communication are essential. I will apply these skills to ensure ESA remains a welcoming, valued home for all entomologists.

Jesus F. Esquivel
USDA Agricultural Research Service

Bio: Dr. Jesus F. Esquivel is a research entomologist with the USDA ARS, in College Station, Texas. He earned his Ph.D. in entomology from Texas A&M University where he is now adjunct faculty. As a Southwestern Branch (SWB) member of ESA for 32 years within the Plant-Insect Ecosystems (P-IE) Section, he is nominated and endorsed by the Southwestern Branch; North Central Branch; Formal & Informal Teaching Pilot Section; Physiology, Biochemistry, and Toxicology Section; P-IE Section; and Committee on Early Career Professionals.

He is an international authority on feeding behavior/mechanics of pentatomids, with emphasis on transmission of plant pathogens. He strongly believes in member rights and voices, transparency, and accountability for our Society governance processes. He advocated for these values during and after his two terms on the Governing Board.

Past ESA activity or other volunteer service: Dr. Esquivel’s extensive ESA service at the national, Section, and Branch levels provides him with unparalleled experience in our Society’s governance.

• National: SWB Representative to the Governing Board and Certification Corporation (2 terms). Committees: Annual Meeting Program (program co-chair; poster co-chair; student competition co-chair); Ethics and Rules (chair); liaison to the Education & Outreach and Entomology Games Committees; Task Force on Education.
• P-IE Section: Representative on Awards & Honors Committee; Nominations Committee.
• SWB: Past-president, president, vice-president, and secretary-treasurer. Committees: Awards & Honors, Entomology Games, Nominations, Program, Site Selection, and Student Affairs.
• Additional: President, Society of Southwestern Entomologists; program co-chair for the 2016 International Congress of Entomology.

Candidate statement: My vision is to advance ESA as a strong, member-centered scientific society grounded in scientific excellence, transparency, and long-term sustainability. This includes actively responding to member needs, prioritizing high-quality scientific programming, and ensuring transparency and accountability in both Governing Board and staff decision-making.

We must foster meaningful engagement from members, including elected representatives, and strengthen communication between Board representatives and their constituencies.

Central to this vision is a disciplined approach to financial stewardship that promotes transparency while safeguarding and enhancing the programs and services. By aligning resources with mission-driven priorities and providing value to members, we can ensure ESA is forward-looking in its support of the scientific community.

VP-Elect candidate statement on critical issues and future vision for the Society: During my 30+ years in ESA, I feel our Society’s priorities and management have shifted to focus on ESA as a business, not as a member-driven scientific society. For example, major multi-year initiatives such as the failed Governance Upgrade were driven less by members’ requests for change and more by the perceived need for creating operational efficiencies. Exploring improvements is necessary, but there is a growing perception that member input (via formal voting) has not been fully recognized, since discussions continue for future governance changes. This raises concerns about ensuring that members’ voices remain central to the Society’s decision-making processes.

We must be more in tune with members’ and potential members’ needs. I support the Formal & Informal Teaching Pilot Section, which would be more inclusive of members who may not feel they have a home within ESA. FIT members are among the strongest collective supporters of ESA’s Strategic Plan focus area: Sharing Insect Science.

Financial health and practices are a concern. ESA typically outspends its revenue and must rely on a line of credit annually while incurring interest obligations, and we recently liquidated investments to meet operational needs. All the while, any proposed cuts to meet budget typically target reductions in member products and services without addressing the reason(s) for budget shortfalls.

Lastly, improved transparency and communications between members and elected representatives are crucial to restoring trust. We must eliminate the current policy that prevents candid dialog between members and their elected Governing Board representatives.

Candidates for Honorary Membership will be announced upon approval of their nominations by the ESA Governing Board. 

Check here for candidate info beginning June 29.

Student Representative to the ESA Governing Board

• Kashish Verma, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Kashish Verma
University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Bio: Kashish Verma is pursuing a Ph.D. in entomology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) and is a 2026–2029 fellow of the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR). She earned her M.S. from UNL and has been recognized by both ESA's Plant-Insect Ecosystems (P-IE) Section and UNL Graduate Studies for her work. Her research focuses on plant-insect interactions, chemical ecology, and host plant resistance. She has authored five peer-reviewed papers, with several more in progress. Kashish also gained industry experience as a six-month DELTA (Developing Emerging Leaders and Talent in Agriculture) Biotech Intern at Corteva Agriscience. She currently serves as fundraising chair of the Lawrence Bruner Entomology Graduate Students' Club and has been elected as the club president for the 2026-27 term.

Past ESA activity or other volunteer service: Kashish has been an active ESA member since 2023. She has organized and moderated five symposia and workshops, delivered five presentations at ESA meetings, and takes part in student activities and booth displays. This year, she volunteered at the Reiman Gardens’ live insect display during the Insect Expo at the North Central Branch Meeting. She currently serves as vice chair of the Communications subcommittee for ESA's Entomology for All Committee. She has also been actively involved in enhancing the visibility of the Association of Indian Entomologists in North America (AIENA) among ESA members and beyond by managing its social media platforms and assisting with event organization. As a Professional Advancement Career Training (PACT) and EntoMentos mentee herself, she looks forward to mentoring students through EntoMentos this year.

Candidate statement: It would be my honor to represent students on the Governing Board. The past representatives have set a strong example, and I hope to build on that momentum. Over the past few years, I have seen firsthand how financial barriers, publishing access, and the need for genuine community shape the student experience. If elected, I will advocate for expanded travel and registration support, work to lower publishing barriers, and elevate students' perspectives in Board-level decision-making so every student feels valued and included within ESA. I will strive to be an approachable and effective liaison, connecting students, the national ESA Student Affairs Committee, and the Board. Bringing both executive and relationship-building strengths, I will listen carefully, act thoughtfully, and represent students’ interests with purpose and conviction.

FIT Section President

• W. Wyatt Hoback, Oklahoma State University

FIT Section Vice President

• David Serrano, Broward College
• Carly Tribull, Farmingdale State College (State University of New York)

FIT Section Vice President-Elect

• Mark Asplen, Metropolitan State University

FIT Section Secretary

• Brenna Decker, Purdue University
• Tim Luttermoser, Simpson College

FIT Section Treasurer

• Alexander Butcher, Washington State University

Early Career Professional Representative to the FIT Section Governing Council

• Anne Johnson, Michigan State University
• Melissa Reed, Oklahoma State University

Student Representative to the FIT Section Governing Council

• Christopher Brown, Michigan State University

FIT Section Representative to the ESA Publications Council

• Rebecca (Arby) Barone, University of Hawaii
• Jasleen Kaur, University of Florida

W. Wyatt Hoback
Oklahoma State University

Bio: W. Wyatt Hoback is a professor of entomology at Oklahoma State University after being a professor of biology for 15 years at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. His primary focus is teaching and he instructs more than 700 non-major students per year on the interactions between insects and humans along with majors courses in conservation, arachnid biology, and teaching and outreach. Wyatt has been recognized for his teaching accomplishments and is the recipient of the Entomological Society of America’s 2017 Distinguished Achievement Award in Teaching and the USDA Student Engagement Award.

Past ESA activity or other volunteer service: Wyatt has been active in the Entomological Society of America serving as the chair of ESA’s Education and Outreach Committee and the FIT pilot Section. He is past president of the Southwestern Branch of ESA and has regularly attended Branch and national meetings with graduate and undergraduate students. He has served as the Entomology Games gamesmaster for both the SWB and NCB.

Candidate statement: Members, I have served in the role of chair for the Education and Outreach Committee and helped launch the campaign for the Formal & Informal Teaching (FIT) pilot Section. We have gained membership and support, progressing through milestones toward becoming a permanent Section by creating programming and expanding ESA's support of members in teaching roles. I would bring this institutional knowledge to the role of president of the new fifth Section acting to help FIT continue to grow and expand.

FIT Section Vice President

David Serrano
Broward College

Bio: David first joined ESA in 1999 while he was earning his M.S. (2001) and following Ph.D. (2006) in entomology at the University of Florida. He is a senior professor and the environmental science A.S./B.S. program manager at Broward College, a large urban/suburban primarily undergraduate institution in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. He founded the B.S. program, bringing eight entomology courses to the college. He also established the Broward College Insect Collection (BROW:BCIC) providing a resources for students and area researchers while collaborating regularly with many institutions. His current project to provide students research experience is surveying the insect biodiversity of south Florida and the greater Everglades ecosystem.

Past ESA activity or other volunteer service: David first joined ESA in 1999. He has served for many years on the Education and Outreach Committee including a cycle as vice chair, chair, and past chair. David has been involved with the FIT proposal since the early stages and served as a proposing member 2022-2023 and later as the resources and programming chair during the inaugural pilot period 2023-2025.

Candidate statement: David wishes to continue his efforts in bringing the FIT Section to permanent status in ESA. As a long-time professor at a 100% teaching primarily undergraduate institution (PUI), he felt overlooked and underrepresented by ESA. His membership lapsed for about 10 years while he taught in the K-12 system for three years and later at Broward College. He returned only after bringing entomology courses to the B.S. program he founded. His goal is to grow this Section and its resources in order to help ESA gain the PUI and 100% teaching members that have been historically absent.

Carly Tribull
Farmingdale State College (State University of New York)

Bio: Carly is an entomologist deeply involved in undergraduate teaching and entomological outreach. As a professor at a primarily undergraduate institution (Farmingdale State College – SUNY), they are aware of the challenges of being a teaching-focused professional in research-orientated spaces, like ESA. When not teaching a 4/4 course load or making outreach education comics, they research the systematics of parasitoid wasps and regularly mentor undergraduates to foster the next generation of entomologists. They obtained their Ph.D. at the American Museum of Natural History and have published in journals like Systematic Entomology, Journal of Hymenoptera Research, and Annals of the Entomological Society of America.

Past ESA activity or other volunteer service: Carly has volunteered with ESA for nearly 10 years. They served as chair of the Early Career Professional Committee, as a 2021 Annual Meeting co-chair, and as part of the leadership of the Formal & Informal Teaching pilot Section since the movement to create the Section started over five years ago. As one of the founding members of FIT, they have attended ESA Governing Board meetings and Annual Meeting planning meetings, written FIT newsletters and member communications, helped to develop programming, sat on a variety of FIT subcommittees, and continuously advocated for the Section. In summary, Carly has served the Society in a variety of roles and has a solid understanding of what’s needed to make FIT succeed as a new Section!

Candidate statement: I have been involved in the creation and growth of the Formal & Informal Teaching pilot Section since a group serving on the Education and Outreach Committee began calling for our own home over five years ago. I want to ensure that every professional entomologist feels like they have a home in ESA, regardless of whether their job is heavily research-focused or not. To that end, I’ve helped to create programming and networking events and advocated for entomologists who are primarily undergraduate educators (like me), outreach and extension coordinators, and educational content creators. As FIT transitions to a full Section, I promise to continue these activities and grow our contributions to ESA.

FIT Section Vice President-Elect

Mark Asplen
Metropolitan State University

Bio: Mark Asplen is professor of Applied Ecology and Chair of the Natural Sciences Department at Metropolitan State University in Saint Paul, Minnesota. He holds a Ph.D. in entomology from the University of Arizona, with postdoctoral work conducted at the University of Minnesota. Mark teaches several majors-level courses serving the biology and environmental sciences majors at Metro State, including behavioral ecology, evolution, invasion biology, and invertebrate biology. His research interests lie in the applied behavioral ecology of insects, with emphases on (1) dispersal and migration by flight; and (2) invasion biology and biocontrol. Mark's peer-reviewed articles have been cited nearly 3,000 times in total, and he is currently editing The Biology of Insect Flight for Oxford University Press.

Past ESA activity or other volunteer service: Mark was a member of the Pacific Branch during graduate school and has been a member of the North Central Branch since his time as a postdoc. He is currently a member of both the P-IE and FIT Sections. He has presented numerous times at Branch, national, and international entomological meetings and has organized several symposia including: (1) "Invasion Biology and Biological Control: Two Great Fields That Go Great Together" (2016 North Central Branch Meeting); (2) the annual WERA 1021 symposium on advances in Spotted Wing Drosophila research (2019 ESA Annual Meeting); and (3) "Basic and Applied Studies of Insect Movement" (2024 International Congress of Entomology). Finally, he has served the North Central Branch twice as local arrangements chair (2021 and 2022), as well as its Student Awards Committee chair for two consecutive years (2018–2020).

Candidate statement: Pardon the pun, but my path in academic life "fits" well with the Formal & Informal Teaching Section. Although I continue my more traditional research program in insect behavioral and evolutionary ecology, my greatest passion in life is undergraduate teaching. I have participated in two teaching-focused symposia previously (2019 ESA Annual Meeting and 2026 NCB Meeting), both of which I found stimulating meetings of minds. As this pilot section hopefully moves to official status, I think it is critical that skilled educators have a strong outlet to share their expertise and ideas with each other. I firmly believe that teaching of any sort requires skills beyond traditional graduate education, and I would spend my time as FIT president advocating for far greater attention to its theory and practice in our society.

FIT Section Secretary

Brenna Decker
Purdue University

Bio: Brenna earned her master’s degree in entomology at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and her Ph.D. in biology at Utah State University (USU), with research encompassing landscape ecology, bee taxonomy, and phylogenomics. During her graduate career, she developed her teaching philosophy through assistantships and securing opportunities to design and instruct courses. Through USU she also earned a museum studies certificate and teaching certificate, developing and assessing exhibition designs for changing public perceptions on insects. She brought her teaching experience to Purdue University in 2025, taking responsibility for six courses within the entomology department while mentoring both graduate and undergraduate students.

Past ESA activity or other volunteer service: Brenna has been an ESA member since 2014 and has participated at Branch and national conferences with symposium co-organization and competition presentations. As a relatively new graduate, she has taken opportunities to work closely within ESA’s FIT Section and serve as a student competition judge at the most recent NCB meeting. She has served on the FIT Online Resources Subcommittee for the past two years as the co-chair, aiding in structuring an entomology teaching hub within ESA's website. At Purdue, Brenna is an advisor for two student-led organizations (SACNAS and the Entomology Graduate Organization), providing guidance and professional development opportunities to graduate and undergraduate students in the STEM fields.

Candidate statement: I hope to serve as FIT Section Secretary and continue building the teaching repository hub for educators. As someone who keeps detailed records and timelines for many different activities and organizations, I feel well equipped to contribute to the Section and the Society as a whole through this position. My goals as secretary would be to keep everyone informed and up to date on Section issues and opportunities and maintain open communications between members and leadership. Everyone has a voice and can contribute greatly to our Section’s activities. I have confidence that my note-taking and follow-through will continue to move the FIT Section forward as we create resources for entomologists and educators alike!

Tim Luttermoser
Simpson College

Bio: Dr. Tim Luttermoser has been fascinated by insects from a young age, and has a B.A. in biology from Hiram College, an M.S. in entomology from Purdue University, and a Ph.D. in entomology from Cornell University. Tim served as a teaching assistant at all three of these institutions, in areas including introductory biology, entomology, introductory forensics, and applied statistics. Having developed his passion for teaching, in 2023 Tim joined the Department of Biology and Environmental Science at Simpson College, a small liberal arts college south of Des Moines. At Simpson, Tim teaches a range of courses including intro bio, entomology, ecology, applied statistics, GIS, and more.

Tim’s Ph.D. worked with large-scale, long-term datasets in an agroecological pest management system in East Africa. At Simpson, he leads student research in both field and collections-based work.

Past ESA activity or other volunteer service: Tim has been a member of ESA since 2015, presenting at six ESA national meetings. He has also had several undergraduate students present at ESA, both at Cornell and Simpson. This position would be Tim's first volunteer or elected position within ESA.

While at Cornell, Tim was co-president of the entomology graduate organization Jugatae and helped found the Jugatae Mental Health Steering Committee, which later developed into a departmental Student Wellness Committee. Tim was also involved in organizing Cornell's Diversity Preview Weekend in 2018 and 2019. He is currently the faculty advisor for Simpson PRIDE and the chair of Simpson's Campus Advisory Committee (which works with the library, study abroad programs, and faculty development). Tim has served as a panelist on topics including mental health issues and teaching large introductory prerequisite courses.

Candidate statement: I have been excited about FIT being added to the Society since I first heard the early rumblings years ago. Now that we are moving forward with additional steps to formalize FIT's place, I want to contribute to making sure our fledgling section continues to grow and succeed.

Managing any organization inevitably involves tracking many different moving parts, and effective meeting notes can be crucial in keeping track of what tasks need doing and who needs to do them. As secretary, I will make sure we have clear, consistent information coming out of each meeting. I also take seriously a commitment to making sure every voice can be heard, and will bring that to the role of secretary in making sure that people are afforded appropriate time to speak and that their contributions are recorded accurately.

FIT Section Treasurer

Alexander Butcher
Washington State University

Bio: Dr. Alexander Butcher is a postdoctoral researcher at Washington State University whose work focuses on agricultural pest management. He brings extensive leadership experience through service in the Entomological Society of America, including as co-chair of the Formal & Informal Teaching Section student subcommittee, a member of the Pacific Branch Executive Council, an active participant in the Student Affairs Committee, and an ESA Science Policy Fellow. He is also the founder and president of the Oregon State Bug Club, which has grown to more than 400 members.

Past ESA activity or other volunteer service: Within ESA, Alexander has organized multiple symposia for the Formal & Informal Teaching Section, helped recruit and engage new ESA members, and supported student involvement through leadership in the FIT student subcommittee. Outside ESA, he founded and leads the Oregon State Bug Club, developing outreach programs and educational events that connect students and the public with entomology. His experience in organizational leadership, donor relations, and program development has focused on building sustainable, collaborative initiatives.

Candidate statement: I am running for treasurer because I want to help strengthen the long-term financial stability and impact of the Formal & Informal Teaching Section. My goals are to expand partnerships with K–12 educators, develop programs that use insects to support Next Generation Science Standards, and increase engagement with stakeholders interested in science education and agricultural literacy. My academic training in business administration, and background in leadership roles withing the Society give me experience in budgeting, accountability, and strategic planning that I hope to use in service to the section and its members.

Early Career Professional Representative to the FIT Section Governing Council

Anne Johnson
Michigan State University

Bio: Anne Johnson is a postdoctoral scholar at Michigan State University who studies integrated pest management of invasive forest insects, particularly biological control. In addition to her research activities, she has been very involved in teaching, outreach, and extension throughout her career. She has been the primary instructor for an undergraduate level entomology class and mentored a number of undergraduate students in a research environment, including supervising the work of a McNair Scholar. She has worked in both commercial and university entomology outreach programs, including being the Outreach Coordinator at the Pennsylvania State University between 2022 and 2024. She has also regularly given extension talks and media interviews on her work with spotted lanternfly, including ones resulting in stories in the Washington Post and New York Times.

Past ESA activity or other volunteer service: Anne Johnson first joined ESA in 2021 and has maintained an active membership since. She has served as a member of the Eastern Branch Insect Detection, Evaluation, and Prediction committee and is currently an ad-hoc member of the Entomology Games Committee. She has also served as a session moderator for both Branch and national ESA meetings and volunteered at “It’s a Bug’s World,” the outreach event associated with the Eastern Branch Meeting. She was also active in entomology student organizations at Michigan State and then Penn State. She served as the undergraduate representative to the Graduate and Undergraduate Student Society and treasurer and webmaster of the Undergraduate Bug Club at Michigan State and as the secretary and public outreach coordinator for the Entomology Graduate Student Association at Penn State. She continues to volunteer at the MSU Bug House to this day.

Candidate statement: I would love to serve as your ECP Representative for FIT! I have experience in teaching in both formal and informal settings, having been a university course instructor, the leader of many outreach and extension events, staff at the Mackinac Island Butterfly House and Insect World, and a mentor to many younger students in a research setting. All of this has given me an appreciation for the value of sharing entomological knowledge and the important role ECPs in particular can play in this. I was so excited when FIT was first proposed as a new Section, and am glad to see it grow. I would love to put my experience to work to help develop and share strategies to reach wide and diverse audiences and to help encourage other ECPs do the same!

Melissa Reed
Oklahoma State University

Bio: Melissa Reed is a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology at Oklahoma State University. She earned her Ph.D. in entomology and M.S. in environmental science from OSU. Her work integrates aquatic insect ecology, entomology education, and inclusive teaching practices. Melissa has extensive formal and informal teaching experience, instructing multiple undergraduate and graduate courses and mentoring diverse student populations. Her accomplishments include peer-reviewed publications, competitive research funding, and teaching and presentation awards. She is actively involved in the Entomological Society of America FIT Section, contributing to committees, workshops, and outreach focused on advancing entomology education.

Past ESA activity or other volunteer service: Melissa Reed is an active member of the Entomological Society of America, contributing to the Formal & Informal Teaching (FIT) Section through service on the Early Career Professional, Online Resources, and SOP subcommittees. She has organized symposia and workshops, moderated sessions, and judged student competitions. Melissa has also participated in ESA outreach and professional development programs and coaches two entomology trivia teams. Beyond ESA, she serves in leadership and mentoring roles with organizations including the American Indian Science and Engineering Society supporting diversity in STEM. Her broader service includes advising student groups, mentoring undergraduates, and engaging in community science outreach.

Candidate statement: I am committed to advancing inclusive, evidence-based entomology education through both formal and informal settings. My extensive teaching and mentoring experience, combined with active service in ESA FIT committees, has prepared me to represent early career professionals effectively. If elected, I will prioritize developing accessible teaching resources, fostering collaboration across career stages, and amplifying diverse voices in entomology education. I value mentorship, community building, and innovative pedagogy, and I aim to create opportunities that support early career members while strengthening engagement and belonging within the FIT Section.

Student Representative to the FIT Section Governing Council

Christopher Brown
Michigan State University

Bio: Chris earned a B.S. in biology and an M.A. in education from Colorado Mesa University while working as a 7th grade science teacher. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in entomology at Michigan State University. His dissertation investigates the intersection of entomology and education, focusing on improving the accessibility and effectiveness of science learning. While at MSU, Chris has earned multiple teaching awards and contributed to the development of MothEd, an NSF-funded DRK-12 project that creates open-source, insect-driven curricula. His work aims to build scalable educational tools that demystify complex science frameworks, equipping K-12 educators with practical resources to foster scientific literacy, systems thinking, and long-term student engagement.

Past ESA activity or other volunteer service: Chris has been an active member of the Entomological Society of America (ESA) since entering graduate school, alongside memberships in the National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT) and the Society for the Advancement of Biology Education Research (SABER). Deeply engaged in leadership, he has contributed to the ESA community as a student member of the Student Planning and Networks Subcommittee for FIT. At Michigan State University, Chris has held vital governance roles, including serving as Vice President of the Graduate and Undergraduate Entomology Student Society (GUESS). Additionally, he has advocated for his peers as the student representative on both his departmental graduate committee and the college advisory council.

Candidate statement: As a former 7th grade science teacher and fellow insect lover, I am eager to serve students of the quickly growing FIT section, a vital community of future educators. In this role, I aim to improve student participation, amplify student concerns, and actively promote award nominations alongside student-focused programming. I bring a wealth of practical insight into developing pedagogical skills and purposeful K-12 materials. My core vision is to strengthen the bridge between our Society and the broader education community. By building these targeted relationships, I hope to draw educational professionals into the ESA fold, creating an inclusive environment that blends robust research with impactful science communication.

FIT Section Representative to the ESA Publications Council

Rebecca (Arby) Barone
University of Hawaii

Bio: Rebecca "Arby" Barone is an educational specialist and doctoral student at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Born and raised on the North Shore of Oʻahu, Arby has always loved searching for bugs and plants and will talk about them to anyone that will listen. In her role at UH, she strongly believes in cultivating inclusive communities, lowering the barrier to quality education, and growing the leaders of tomorrow. Arby brings proven leadership experience from serving as the president of the Hawai'i Botanical Society since 2017 and a member of UH’s Graduate Student Organization Executive Committee since 2022. Able to bridge networks to bring communities together, she focuses much of her energy on fostering collaboration and mentorship across student groups, departments, and colleges to empower members to achieve collective goals.

Past ESA activity or other volunteer service: Arby has been a student member of ESA since 2024, and part of what drew her to participate in ESA was an interest in FIT. Arby is extremely passionate about education and teaching and spends much of her time working on creating learning materials and curriculum for a variety of topics. She also helps to coach her university's Entomology Games team where she uses a combination of emerging tech and traditional curriculum development to facilitate learning. Outside of the university, she regularly volunteers with different conservation organizations and has served on the publications committee and education committee for the Botanical Society of America.

Candidate statement: As one of the coaches of my university's Entomology Games team, I spend a lot of time perusing ESA's publications for question material, which has allowed me to gain a familiarity with what makes each one unique. From my previous experience on publication committees for other societies, I know how much collaboration and effort goes into each issue of a peer-reviewed publication. In this role, I hope to bring that experience, while also learning about ESA’s specific processes, policies, and needs. If selected for this position, I would dedicate myself to understanding what the priorities of FIT members are so that I can bring those to the Publications Council. FIT may be the newest section, but education is not confined to any one Section, so we have a responsibility to be a voice for educators everywhere.

Jasleeen Kaur
University of Florida

Bio: Dr. Jasleen Kaur is a postdoctoral research associate in entomology and nematology at the University of Florida. Her research spans plant–insect interactions, IPM, resistance management, and chemical ecology. She serves as guest editor (Current Opinions in Insect Science), topic coordinator (Frontiers in Plant Science), and scientific advisor (Journal of Chemical Ecology). Additionally, she has published 11 peer-reviewed papers (210+ citations, four more in preparation) and reviewed multiple manuscripts for leading journals, bringing deep insight into the publishing landscape. Since 2020, she has held 16+ leadership roles across six organizations and served on five university committees. As ECP Representative to the ESA Governing Board (2025–2028), Jasleen champions visibility, inclusion, and professional growth of early career scientists within ESA and beyond.

Past ESA activity or other volunteer service: Dr. Kaur advances ESA’s mission through sustained service and leadership. She currently serves as ECP Representative to ESA Governing Board (2025-2028), after serving as SE Branch Rep to the ECP Committee and adhoc member of EOC Committee. She organized ECP webinars, multiple ESA symposia and workshops, a P-IE section symposium (2025), judged student talks, and was an invited speaker at ESA meetings and other events. She participated in Bayer B4U and ESA PACT and has signed up as mentor for EntoMentos. Overall, she held 16+ leadership roles including UF Graduate Student Council Treasurer and Grants Chair, handling $200K+ over two years. She was recently featured in ESA Entomology Today Standout ECPs (2025) and recognized during AANHPI Heritage Month (2026).

Candidate statement: I bring global perspective, strong ethics, and a forward-thinking vision to ESA publishing. As an author, peer reviewer, guest editor, topic coordinator for peer reviewed journals, and scientific advisor at Journal of Chemical Ecology, I understand publishing across the editorial pipeline. My experience as a researcher, educator, mentor to 17+ trainees, and holding a CIRTL and UF teaching certifications informs my researcher's and educator's lens of what ESA publications should achieve. As FIT’s representative, I will advocate for teaching-focused research visibility it deserves in ESA journals, accessible science communication, responsible AI use, and publications that serve both the laboratory and the classroom.

MUVE Section Vice President-Elect

• Nathan Burkett-Cadena, University of Florida

MUVE Section Treasurer

• Shao-Hung Dennis Lee, University of California, Riverside

MUVE Section Representative to the ESA Publications Council

• Ameya D. Gondhalekar, University of Florida

MUVE Section Vice President-Elect

Nathan Burkett-Cadena
University of Florida

Bio: Dr. Nathan D. Burkett-Cadena is associate professor of entomology at the University of Florida, Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory. He received his Ph.D. in entomology from Auburn University and postdoctoral research at University of South Florida. His research focuses on the ecology of vector arthropods (particularly mosquitoes and biting midges) and the pathogens that they transmit. He has co-authored over 150 scientific articles on this topic and is author of the books Mosquitoes of the Southeastern United States and Identification and Geographical Distribution of the Mosquitoes of North America, North of Mexico (third edition). He is committed to advancing the field of Medical, Urban, and Veterinary Entomology through supporting engagement of young investigators in Entomological Society of America Annual Meetings, journal publications, and committees.

Past ESA activity or other volunteer service: Dr. Burkett-Cadena has been an active member of Entomological Society of America in good standing for over 20 years. He has supported ESA journals by reviewing over 25 manuscripts for the Journal of Medical Entomology and Journal of Insect Science and by publishing over 35 articles in the Journal of Medical Entomology and Journal of Integrated Pest Management, flagship journals of the Society. Dr. Burkett-Cadena has served as a volunteer role, including as session moderator at the Annual Meeting.

Candidate statement: I am interested in serving as MUVE Section vice president-elect in order to help solidify the next generation of entomologists focused on medical, veterinary and urban entomology. I will push for equal representation from medical, veterinary and urban voices within the Society and advocate for the active engagement of young professionals.

MUVE Section Treasurer

Shao-Hung Dennis Lee
University of California, Riverside

Bio: Shao-Hung Dennis Lee is an urban entomologist at the University of California, Riverside, researching insecticide response and sustainable management of key indoor pests. His work includes multiyear projects on German cockroach control strategies supported by the Department of Pesticide Regulation and Structural Pest Control Board of California. A regular contributor to ESA journals as both an author and reviewer, he has published eight peer-reviewed publications since the start of his postdoctoral stint in 2023.

Past ESA activity or other volunteer service: Before becoming the current MUVE Treasurer, Dennis actively participated in entomological organizations, filling presidency, treasurer, and other governing roles within student groups at UC Riverside. While a graduate student, he competed regularly in ESA competitions and now gives back as a judge, volunteer, and educator himself. When MUVE had an unscheduled opening for its treasurer at the end of 2024, Dennis stepped up immediately to fill this role, making sure the Section could continue serving its members smoothly to this day.

Candidate statement: Several exciting things are happening with regard to MUVE finances right now. Late last year, the ESA main office announced the introduction of quarterly financial reports, bringing clarity to our budgeting at a level never seen before. This year, MUVE Section leaders are working with ESA administration to create an endowment to permanently ensure the future of student recognition, travel, and professional awards. In order to proceed smoothly during this period of change, I believe that continuity in leadership is vital. I entered the treasurer role under unique circumstances in 2025 and will only serve two years when my current term is over. I am enthusiastic about completing a full three-year term because I believe my familiarity with existing systems and shared vision with the governing council will help MUVE proceed through this growth with success and productivity.

MUVE Section Representative to the ESA Publications Council

Ameya D. Gondhalekar
University of Florida

Bio: Dr. Ameya Gondhalekar is a Sapp endowed associate professor at the University of Florida. Previously he was a research rssistant and research associate professor at Purdue University. He has expertise in toxicology and IPM of urban insect pests such as bed bugs and cockroaches. He is well known for his work on insecticide resistance management in German cockroaches and more recently bed bugs. Thus far, three Ph.D., four master’s, and >10 undergraduate students have completed their degrees from his lab. His former students have won >20 awards at the regional and national levels and have gone on to have successful careers in academia, industry, and government. Collectively he has published >35 peer-reviewed papers, applied research articles and book chapters. He is currently guest editing two special issues on medical, veterinary, and urban pests for different journals.

Past ESA activity or other volunteer service: Dr. Ameya Gondhalekar has been a member of ESA since 2008. As a member he has organized and co-organized at least eight section and member symposia and organized meetings/workshops at both Branch and national meetings. He frequently serves as a judge for the student 10-minute paper and poster presentations at the ESA Annual Meetings. From 2016–2018 he served as a member of the Student Transition and Early Professional (STEP) Research Award review committee. In 2015 and 2020 he was a member of the writing committee that drafted ESA’s position statement on insecticide resistance management. At his former institution, he was a member of the awards review committee that made decisions on team, service, and alumni awards both at the department and college levels.

Candidate statement: If elected as the MUVE Section Representative for the ESA Publications Council, I will ensure a clear and timely flow of information between the Society and MUVE Section members and vice versa. In the monthly MUVE newsletter that is emailed to Section members, I will propose inclusion of a “publication updates column” that will summarize upcoming changes, while at the same time encouraging MUVE members to submit as many manuscripts as possible to ESA journals. Within the MUVE Section, I will work with the leadership team to create a “recognition certificate program” for MUVE members who publish the highest number of manuscripts each year in ESA journals. Within MUVE there are three or four distinct sub-sections (medical, veterinary, urban and forensic). The “recognition certification program,” that I am proposing will recognize top contributors from each of the four sub-sections.

PBT Section Vice President-Elect

• Rosa (Tina) Lozano, Corteva Agriscience

PBT Section Treasurer

• Zinan Wang, University of Kentucky

PBT Section Representative to the ESA Governing Board

• Adekunle (Kunle) Adesanya, Corteva Agriscience

PBT Section Vice President-Elect

Rosa (Tina) Lozano
Corteva Agriscience

Bio: Growing up in an agricultural country, Rosa (Tina) developed an early interest in science to better understand how to support farmers. She holds a B.S. in agronomic engineering from the University of Tolima (Colombia). She earned her Ph.D. in entomology from the University of Minnesota, where she studied insecticide resistance in soybean aphid and farmer practices to inform sustainable pest management. Currently, she is an insecticide mode of action and resistance scientist at Corteva Agriscience, focusing on resistance mechanisms and management. Her work integrates physiology, biochemistry, toxicology, and genomics to develop applied solutions. She has co-authored peer-reviewed publications and received the ESA PBT Outstanding Service Award and multiple student honors.

Past ESA activity or other volunteer service: Since joining ESA in 2020, Rosa (Tina) has been an active and committed member of the Society. As PBT Section Representative on the ESA Education and Outreach Committee since November 2023, she has been the driving force behind the PBT social media upgrade, increasing visibility for Section members and their research while promoting collaboration. She has coordinated PBT-sponsored webinars, co-organized ESA symposia such as SomosEnto, reviewed ESA manuscripts, and served on committees supporting awards, science, and diversity. A former PACT participant, she connects with new cohorts and engages students and early-career professionals through mixers and other events, demonstrating her commitment to communication and inclusion across ESA.

Candidate statement: I am running for PBT Section VP-elect to strengthen our community through service, education, and innovation. My ESA Education and Outreach role has shown me how strategic communication can turn member achievements into shared opportunities, broaden participation, and connect people across career stages and sectors. If elected, I will build on that momentum by expanding PBT webinars, developing skills-based workshops, promoting emerging technologies, and creating more opportunities for students and early-career professionals to connect with leaders across academia, industry, and government. I will continue defending science, supporting continuing education, and fostering an inclusive, respectful Section where all voices can be seen, heard, and valued.

PBT Section Treasurer

Zinan Wang
University of Kentucky

Bio: Dr. Zinan Wang is an assistant professor focusing on arthropod molecular biology in the Department of Entomology at the University of Kentucky. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in agriculture from Beijing Forestry University in 2013. He came to the U.S. for graduate studies in entomology in 2015. Wang first earned his M.S. in entomology at Louisiana State University in 2017. He completed his Ph.D. in a dual-major program in entomology and ecology, evolutionary biology, and behavior (EEBB) at Michigan State University in 2021. Wang continued his research as a postdoctoral fellow at Michigan State University before joining the University of Kentucky. Wang’s research program investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying the evolution of novel physiological traits in arthropod species, as well as the physiological adaptation to diverse and extreme environments.

Past ESA activity or other volunteer service: Dr. Zinan Wang serves on the Entomological Society of America (ESA) Early Career Professional (ECP) Committee as the representative for the Physiology, Biochemistry, and Toxicology (PBT) Section, coordinating communication and activities between the PBT Section and the ECP Committee. Wang has assisted in preparing quarterly newsletters, planning annual ECP events, and contributing to ECP publications. He is currently serving as president of the Overseas Chinese Entomologist Association (OCEA) for the 2025–2026 term, during which he helped organize the OCEA Annual Meeting at the Entomology 2025 conference and strengthened connections among entomologists in China, the United States, and other countries. Additionally, Wang organized symposia at the Annual Meetings of ESA, volunteered as a moderator during the ESA meetings, and served as a reviewer for ESA journals.

Candidate statement: As I transition from ECP to regular ESA membership, I am stepping down as PBT-ECP representative but remain deeply committed to ESA. I am honored to be nominated as treasurer for the PBT session. If elected, I will prioritize transparent reporting, timely budget tracking, and close collaboration with board members to strengthen PBT-organized activities. My vision is to facilitate a financially well-supported Section and effectively serve ESA members. I will bring accountability, responsiveness, and respect for ESA’s volunteer mission.

PBT Section Representative to the ESA Governing Board

Adekunle (Kunle) Adesanya
Corteva Agriscience

Bio: Kunle is a global research scientist at Corteva Agriscience focused on developing insecticides for crop protection. He earned a Ph.D. in entomology from Washington State University and a master’s degree in entomology from Auburn University. His research has examined insecticide resistance trends in mite, Lygus, and thrips populations in the Pacific Northwest and identified the genetic basis of resistance. His broader interests center on how agronomic, economic, and ecological factors interact to shape pest management strategies in agroecosystems. He has authored more than 15 peer-reviewed publications and currently serves as a subject matter editor for the Annals of the Entomological Society of America. He has also delivered more than 20 scientific presentations and posters at ESA meetings. Kunle has received several ESA honors, including ECP and Comstock awards.

Past ESA activity or other volunteer service: Kunle has been an active ESA member since 2014 and has built a strong record of service. As a graduate student at Washington State University, he participated in and captained the student debate team. He has organized and moderated six symposia at national ESA meetings. He has also served as the PBESA representative on the ESA Student Council, the Graduate Student and Early Career Professional representative on the PBT Governing Council, and most recently, president of PBT. In addition, Kunle has contributed to several ESA initiatives, including EntoMentos and science policy tours, and has facilitated multiple leadership training sessions at ESA meetings.

Candidate statement: I am seeking to serve on the Governing Board to apply my professional and technical experience in ways that strengthen and enhance the experiences of ESA members across career stages, professional roles, and affiliations. I welcome the opportunity to work with the ESA Governing Board to develop strategies that make the Society more effective and resilient.

P-IE Section Vice President-Elect

• Steven Arthurs, BioBee USA

P-IE Section Treasurer

• Alejandro Del Pozo-Valdivia, Virginia Tech
• Kaylee Miller, Bayer Crop Science

Student Representative to the P-IE Section Governing Council

• Natalie Brennan, Montana State University
• Sabina Parajuli, Clemson University
• Tafsir Nur Nabi Rashed, University of Florida

P-IE Section Vice President-Elect

Steven Arthurs
BioBee USA

Bio: Dr. Steven Arthurs is an entomologist specializing in biological crop protection, insect pathology, and integrated pest management with nearly 30 years of experience working at USDA-ARS, various universities, and private industry. After gaining M.S. and Ph.D. degrees at the University of London’s Imperial College, he worked at the Texas A&M University, the USDA-ARS Temperate Tree Fruit and Vegetable Research center in Washington state, and the University of Florida’s Mid Florida Research and Education Center. Dr. Arthurs now works as an R&D pecialist for BioBee USA, a global leader in biologically based IPM and beneficial insect production. His current work focuses on integrating biological solutions into IPM programs through research, outreach, and strategic partnerships.

Past ESA activity or other volunteer service: Steven has been a regular member of the ESA since 1997. His involvement spans professional awards, event organization, evaluation roles, and editorial contributions.

Leadership & Event Organization

• Organized ESA symposia for Annual Meetings in 2013, 2014, and 2015.
• Regional Working Group Collaboration: Coordinated with the ESA as vice chair (2011–2013) and chair (2013–2015) of the Regional Working Group on Microbial Control.

Honors & Awards

• Pacific Branch IPM Team Award in 2011.

Academic & Student Support

• Judged student presentations at regional or national ESA meetings (2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015).

Editorial & Research Contributions

• Published in and served as reviewer for numerous ESA-associated publications, including the Journal of Economic Entomology, Environmental Entomology, and the Journal of Integrated Pest Management.

Candidate statement: During my nearly 30 years of ESA membership, I have actively participated in Branch and Section activities, annual conferences, judging competitions, reviewing manuscripts, and other service. From my diverse experience working at ARS, universities, and private industry and working closely with the growers, I see a critical need for more applied research in plant-herbivore-natural enemy interactions. As Plant-Insect Ecosystems (P-IE) Section VP-elect, my focus is on strategic planning and member engagement to enhance the impact of research in addressing practical solutions. I will leverage my connections to strengthen industry collaborations, explore sponsorship opportunities, organize workshops for students and ECPs, streamline symposia, and build productive collaborations among all players of P-IE.

P-IE Section Treasurer

Alejandro Del Pozo-Valdivia
Virginia Tech

Bio: Dr. Alejandro Del-Pozo is an applied insect ecologist and extension specialist in the Department of Entomology at Virginia Tech. His research focuses on the biology and landscape ecology of emerging and invasive insect pests. His program is dedicated to developing science-based solutions for growers, emphasizing the integration of biological and chemical control strategies, as well as the application of drone technology for pest management.

Past ESA activity or other volunteer service: Dr. Del-Pozo has been an active member of the ESA for over 16 years, following a dynamic pathway within the Society. He has been affiliated with three of ESA’s six Branches. He first participated in the Pacific Branch in 2010 as a master’s student at Washington State University and later in 2019 as an IPM entomology advisor based in Salinas, California, and associated with the University of California Cooperative Extension. He was also a member of the Southeastern Branch during his Ph.D. program and subsequent postdoctoral position at North Carolina State University from 2012 to 2018. During this time, he served on the P-IE’s Governing Council as the student representative. Dr. Del-Pozo is currently a member of the Eastern Branch, where he continues to build professional connections. Within the P-IE Section, he has organized a symposium and served as a judge for both the student competition and student debate sessions.

Candidate statement: Through his candidacy for the P-IE treasurer position, Dr. Del-Pozo would be honored to further contribute to the Section’s leadership and fiscal management. His goal is to serve P-IE members by fostering a strong sense of community and encouraging active participation at both the Section and Society levels.

Kaylee Miller
Bayer Crop Science

Bio: Kaylee Miller earned an M.S. in biological sciences from Northern Illinois University, where she developed a strong interest in entomology and completed her graduate thesis research on the mating behavior of the parasitoid wasp Urolepis rufipes. She is currently a scientist at the Bayer Crop Science insectary where her work includes the development and maintenance of several toxin-resistant corn rootworm colonies which supports product discovery, development, and registration requirements. Beyond her laboratory work, Kaylee enjoys sharing her enthusiasm for entomology and agriculture through outreach activities in her local community.

Past ESA activity or other volunteer service: Kaylee has been an active member of ESA since 2013 and has served in several volunteer roles, including student competition judge and student mixer and booth volunteer. She especially values opportunities to connect with students, learn about their work, and engage with others who share her enthusiasm for entomology. In her local community, Kaylee supports agricultural and science education through volunteer service with a local Farm Bureau, the Ag Extension Office, and several area preschools and elementary schools.

Candidate statement: I’m excited for the opportunity to serve the P-IE Section in this elevated volunteer role. ESA meetings have always been especially meaningful to me because of the collaborations and connections they foster, and I look forward to the chance to help strengthen those relationships even further. In this role, I would bring not only my passion for entomology, but also thoughtful decision-making, strong organizational skills, and clear, dependable communication. Additionally, I value creating welcoming, inclusive spaces where members from diverse backgrounds and career stages feel encouraged to engage, contribute, and connect. Thank you for your consideration; I’m eager to contribute my skills, enthusiasm, and perspective to the P-IE Section and its members.

Student Representative to the P-IE Section Governing Council

Natalie Brennan
Montana State University

Bio: Natalie is a 2nd-year Ph.D. student in plant pathology at Montana State University, where she is studying the ecology of aphid vectors in seed potato. Before beginning her Ph.D., she received her B.S. in entomology from Cornell University. She enjoys interacting with stakeholders through talks at grower conferences and with the general public. She is passionate about teaching and outreach, with three semesters of experience as a teaching assistant in entomology courses for non-majors and an organizer and participant in over twenty outreach events. Natalie was also a 2024 recipient of the P-IE Undergraduate Achievement Award for her contributions to research, teaching, and outreach in entomology.

Past ESA activity or other volunteer service: Natalie has been a student and P-IE Section member since 2024, presenting at the Annual Meetings and the 2026 PB-ESA meeting. At the 2025 Annual Meeting, she gave an invited talk at the “Coming out of the Camouflage” symposium, geared toward first-time attendees. Outside of the ESA, she is very involved with her university’s department, previously serving as the Graduate Student Representative to represent students at faculty meetings and to organize student events, professional and social. Natalie also promotes entomology on campus and beyond, both founding the university’s entomology club and facilitating the return of the entomology exam to the Montana Science Olympiad, where she has been creating and administering it since 2025.

Candidate statement: I believe I will be an excellent P-IE Student Representative. Having previously served as my department’s graduate student representative and now serving as treasurer for my university’s entomology club, I understand the communication needed for engagement from busy students to uphold their ideas to administrative entities. My skills in collaboration and delegation have led to the creation and organization of successful events, and I am certain that I will be able to recruit student volunteers for the ESA, ensuring that meeting events are supported and smoothly run. Most importantly, I am approachable and accessible, and have experience being the voice of a student body, a task I would be honored to do for the P-IE section of the ESA.

Sabina Parajuli
Clemson University

Bio: Sabina Parajuli is a second-year Ph.D. student in entomology at Clemson University. She earned her master’s degree in entomology from South China Agricultural University, China, where she published two peer-reviewed manuscripts in Ecological Entomology and Insects. Her research focuses on habitat management of insect pests in organic vegetable production, emphasizing integrated pest management and agroecological approaches. Her work aims to advance sustainable pest management strategies and enhance biological control in agricultural systems. She is actively engaged in research and professional development within the entomological community.

Past ESA activity or other volunteer service: Sabina Parajuli is an active member of the Entomological Society of America and contributed to Entomology Today with an authored article highlighting student experiences at the 2025 ESA Annual Meeting. She has presented her research at ESA Annual and Branch Meetings and has participated in ESA activities, including the Entomology Games at Southeastern Branch meetings, and she regularly engages in ESA webinars for professional development. She is also involved in international student engagement and will co-organize a symposium in 2026 in collaboration with the Society of Overseas Nepalese Entomological Students, which has been accepted by ESA. Her service demonstrates a commitment to science communication, leadership, and fostering global collaboration in entomology.

Candidate statement: I am interested in serving as the P-IE Section Student Representative to support student engagement and create more accessible opportunities within ESA. As an international graduate student, I have experienced how valuable networking, mentorship, and events like the ESA Annual Meeting, Branch meetings, and the Entomology Games can be for building confidence and community. If elected, I would work to strengthen communication between students and Section leadership, expand opportunities for student involvement, and support inclusive spaces for sharing research and experiences. I am especially motivated to help students feel connected, supported, and confident in their professional growth.

Tafsir Nur Nabi Rashed
University of Florida

Bio: Tafsir is a doctor of plant medicine candidate at the University of Florida and a biotechnology intern with Corteva Agriscience. His interests include biological control and extension entomology. Through the UF Florida First Detector Program, he develops educational resources, delivers grower trainings, and supports stakeholders in detecting invasive pests. His research focuses on biological control of leaffooted bugs using egg parasitoids. He also leads a collaborative project in Bangladesh on parasitoid diversity and biological control, while expanding collections at the Florida State Collection of Arthropods. Tafsir has authored publications, earned research and communication awards, and is committed to linking science with stakeholder needs.

Past ESA activity or other volunteer service: Since joining ESA in 2023, Tafsir has been actively involved in volunteer service and student engagement. He represents the Southeastern Branch on both the Student Affairs Committee and the P-IE Nominations Committee and also serves on the Student Affairs Committee within the Formal & Informal Teaching pilot Section. He has also served on the 2025 Southeastern Branch Meeting Program Committee and ESA Committee on Education and Outreach. Beyond committee work, Tafsir has organized three workshops and six symposia across ESA and international meetings, moderated five student 10-minute competition sessions, and delivered multiple presentations at major conferences. He also served as a reviewer for the ESA Chrysalis Fund and stays engaged in extension through the Florida First Detector Program, connecting science with real-world pest management needs.

Candidate statement: I first became involved with ESA as a student presenter in 2023, seeking opportunities to learn and network. Since then, ESA has become a place where I enjoy contributing by organizing symposia, developing workshops, moderating student competitions, and serving on several committees. Those experiences have shown me that students often want to get involved but may not know where to start. As the P-IE Student Representative, I would like to help students discover ways to engage with the section, whether through volunteering, networking, leadership, or scientific programming. Having benefited greatly from the support of ESA mentors, collaborators, and friends, I would be excited to help create similar experiences for the next generation of P-IE students.

SysEB Section Vice President-Elect

• Cristian Beza-Beza, University of Minnesota

SysEB Section Treasurer

• Will Kuhn, Discover Life in America

SysEB Section Representative to the ESA Governing Board

• Floyd W. Shockley, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution

SysEB Section Vice President-Elect

Cristian Beza-Beza
University of Minnesota

Bio: Cristian earned his biology degree from Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, followed by an M.S. from Wichita State University and a Ph.D. from the University of Memphis. Currently an assistant professor in the Department of Entomology at the University of Minnesota, his research focuses on insect diversification patterns, trophic specialization, and phenotype evolution in specialized clades. Deeply committed to natural history collections, Cristian has extensive expertise in collection management, taxonomy, and museum-based research. A dedicated international educator, he has led courses across the U.S., Guatemala, and Colombia, actively advancing biodiversity discovery and training the next generation of entomologists.

Past ESA activity or other volunteer service: An active ESA and SysEB member since 2012, Cristian serves as a subject editor for Insect Systematics and Diversity and frequently participates in ESA's Annual Meetings as a presenter, symposium moderator, and student competition judge. Deeply committed to public engagement, he has served as an invited speaker for different community outreach events, as science fair judge, and a Kansas Science Olympiad event coordinator. Internationally, Cristian has driven vital conservation policy, serving as president of the Guatemalan Dry Regions Conservation Board, vice president of the Alliance for the Sustainable Development of the Motagua Valley, and a core national strategy planner.

Candidate statement: Life’s diversity and resilience inspire my scientific inquiry and drive my commitment to a sustainable future. The SysEB Section of ESA is where I found the place to cultivate and share this inspiration, and I am eager to give back to this community. My vision is to position our Section as a dynamic hub that fosters global collaboration, enhances biodiversity data integration, and increases open data accessibility. Guided by values of inclusivity and mentorship, I will work to champion interdisciplinary research and assist in training a diverse new generation of biodiversity scientists. I would be honored to leverage my international perspective to serve SysEB as vice president-elect and advance our shared mission of advancing systematic, evolutionary, and biodiversity research.

SysEB Section Treasurer

Will Kuhn
Discover Life in America

Bio: Will earned his master's in entomology at Virginia Tech in 2010 and his Ph.D. in evolutionary biology at Rutgers University-Newark in 2015. He serves as director of science and research at Discover Life in America (DLiA), a Tennessee-based nonprofit that oversees the All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In that role he manages research programs, coordinates partnerships with scientists and agencies, and leads community science initiatives engaging the public in species discovery. His entomological interests span systematics, natural history, and the documentation of underexplored insect groups in the southern Appalachians.

Past ESA activity or other volunteer service: A member of ESA for over 20 years, Will has presented at nearly every Annual Meeting and has organized or co-organized four symposia and a workshop at Annual Meetings, plus a symposium at an Eastern Branch Meeting. He is co-organizing another symposium at this year's Annual Meeting. Will served as the SysEB Section representative on the Early Career Professional Committee for three years and has served as SysEB Treasurer since 2024. He has also mentored an early-career entomologist through ESA's EntoMentos program.

Candidate statement: Serving as SysEB Treasurer since 2024 has been a genuine privilege, and I'd be honored to continue. In my first term I've worked to make the Section's budget clearer and easier to understand, cleared a backlog of unspent student travel awards lingering from the COVID years, and expanded the treasurer's documentation so that future treasurers inherit the history, caveats, and hard-won context I've picked up along the way. A second term would let me build on that foundation and keep our resources actively supporting the students, early-career scientists, and members who make SysEB thrive. As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, I'm also proud of the welcoming culture ESA has cultivated and want to help sustain it. SysEB is a vibrant section, and I'd love to keep contributing.

SysEB Section Representative to the ESA Governing Board

Floyd W. Shockley
National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution

Bio: Dr. Shockley serves as the collections manager for the Department of Entomology at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. He earned his B.A. in biology from Westminster College, M.S. in entomology from the University of Missouri, and Ph.D. in entomology from the University of Georgia. Throughout his career, Dr. Shockley has conducted extensive collections-based systematics research on the evolution, taxonomy, morphology, and natural history of fungus-feeding beetles. He has authored or co-authored 94 publications and given 68 presentations at professional meetings. He is heavily engaged in science communication, having co-developed seven exhibits, conducted 56 public programs, and appeared more than 276 times in media and popular press discussing entomology, natural history, collections, and museums. He is a Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society.

Past ESA activity or other volunteer service: An active member of ESA since 1997, Dr. Shockley has served the Society at the Branch, Section, and national levels. He served as president of SysEB (2018) and program co-chair for the Annual Meeting (2024) as well as on a broad range of national ESA committees, including Membership (2004-06), Entomology Games (2014-19), and Science Policy (SysEB rep, 2016-17, Eastern Branch rep, 2022-2025), and was chair of the American Entomologist Advisory Board (2018-19) and a PACT mentor (2021-2026). He served as president of the Entomological Society of Washington (2014) and the Entomological Collections Network (2015-17), and treasurer of the Coleopterists’ Society (2005-07). Dr. Shockley serves on the UGA CAES Alumni Association Board of Directors and has held many leadership positions at the Smithsonian. He currently serves as the SysEB representative on the Governing Board.

Candidate statement: ESA has been essential to my success as an entomologist by offering opportunities for research sharing, networking, and for staying updated on what is happening across the many entomological subdisciplines. ESA has greatly influenced me, and I aim to ensure it provides the same value to current and future members. At present, I am completing the final year of the term of Dr. Andrew Short, who was elected to VP-elect in 2024 and replaced by Dr. Jennifer Zaspel who stepped down in 2025. I am now seeking election for my own term on the Governing Board representing SysEB. I look forward to the opportunity to continue collaborating with volunteer leaders across Sections, Branches, Committees and the Governing Board, along with ESA staff, to maintain ESA as a strong, international, and interdisciplinary organization for all of our student, early career professional, and regular members.

International Branch President-Elect

• Matan Shelomi, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
• Frederic Francis, University of Liege

International Branch Secretary

• Patricia D. Navarro, INIA-Chile
• Silvia I Rondon, Oregon State University

International Branch President-Elect

Matan Shelomi
National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan

Bio: Dr. Matan Shelomi is an associate professor of entomology at National Taiwan University. Born and raised in the U.S., he graduated from Harvard University and earned a Ph.D. in entomology from the University of California, Davis. He completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology in Germany before accepting a permanent position in Taiwan. An inveterate globetrotter, Dr. Shelomi speaks five languages, holds three citizenships, and has been to over 90 countries and territories. His entomological interests alone, focusing on insect physiology and edible insect culture, have taken him to all seven continents, from conferences in Morocco to fellowships in Australia to a visiting scientist position in Antarctica!

Past ESA activity or other volunteer service: Dr. Matan Shelomi has been a member of ESA continuously since 2007, the same year he became the youngest ever president of the Cambridge Entomological Club since its founding in 1874. He is currently in the ESA's International Branch, in the PBT and FIT Sections. As a student he participated actively in ESA conferences as a speaker, volunteer, and competitor of the Entomology Games. He has since organized symposia for ESA and the Internal Congress of Entomology and is currently a feature column editor for American Entomologist and subject editor for beneficial insects for the Journal of Economic Entomology. He was a 2013 winner of the John Henry Comstock Student Award and a 2024 winner of the ESA Science Communication Award.

Candidate statement: Dr. Shelomi is pleased with the direction ESA has historically taken and hopes to maintain this status quo, putting entomology first and foremost regardless of domestic political trends and ensuring that all persons feel equally welcome and appreciated as ESA members regardless of nationality, politics, or nation of origin. He hopes to promote the ESA meetings as the world's largest international entomology conference to speakers outside North America and ensure virtual conference options are available for future events. He embodies through example the idea of "entomology without borders" and being an international researcher, promoting collaboration and a global worldview.

Frederic Francis
University of Liege

Bio: Frederic Francis was graduated in agricultural sciences, bioengineering, and obtained a Ph.D. in 2003 on plant–aphid multitrophic interactions. He is full professor at University of Liege and is the head of Entomology Department since 2012. He was faculty dean for eight years until the end of 2025. He is also visiting professor at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences and at the Shandong Agricultural University. He is involved in many projects in developing countries in Africa, south America, and Asia to apply practical approaches to manage insect diversity and valorization. He is the founder and chairman of Hexapoda Museum – Insectarium Jean Leclercq in Belgium, managing an entomological collection of six million insects. He promotes entomology at different scales, from the discovery of insects to younger peoples to the support to amateur and professional entomologists.

Past ESA activity or other volunteer service: He is an ESA member for many years and attended Annual Meetings without taking any position. Since 2010, he founded and contributes to develop Hexapoda - Insectarium and to build a network of insect collections internationally, including in Kinshasa and Antananarivo. He is involved in diverse support programs in cooperation and development. Also, he is for more than 15 years the editor in chief of a journal, namely Faunistic Entomology, and he wrote with colleagues several documents to promote entomology: for teaching with a "Clé d'identification des principales familles d'insectes d'Europe," but also for largest audience as with an insect cooking book “Six legs and so delicious” associated to insect festival events. Finally, he is organizing with his team the “XIth Conference Internationale Francophone d’Entomologie” aiming to pool 250 entomologists in July 2026.

Candidate statement: I was deputy dean for research and faculty dean for more than 10 years and led many projects and initiatives. As I am now off duty, I wish to put more energy and time in ESA. After discussion with some International Branch members, I am proposing to join expertises and interests from my networks and ESA at international level. Bringing together colleagues, young researchers and students from the U.S., French-speaking African countries, and Europe, but also from Asia, with a first focus on China and Vietnam, would be beneficial for all. This is important for me to share and support colleagues to work collectively in teams. I will contribute to organize webinars and videoconference meetings but also to promote student mobilities and ESA journals to publish results. The connections to be developed throughout the world by a diversity of approaches illustrate actions that make entomology up.

International Branch Secretary

Patricia D. Navarro
INIA-Chile

Bio: Patricia has been a research entomologist at the Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias (INIA) in Chile for the past 14 years. She earned her Ph.D. in entomology from the University of Arizona (Tucson, Arizona), her M.Sc. in crop protection with a major in entomology from the University of Puerto Rico (Mayaguez, Puerto Rico), and her B.S. in agronomy engineering from Universidad Austral (Valdivia, Chile). Her research line focuses on the study of entomopathogenic nematode-symbiotic bacteria complex for the control of economically important pests, primarily weevils and Drosophila suzukii. Currently, she runs a lab where most of the R&D focuses on the mass production of entomopathogenic nematodes in bioreactors and their field applications for controlling native weevils in hazelnut and berry crops.

Past ESA activity or other volunteer service: I was an ESA member from 2009 to 2011 during my Ph.D. studies and actively participated in two ESA meetings. In 2012, I returned to Chile and had to keep my membership on standby from 2012 to 2024 while I was raising my kids and starting my lab. Last year, I renewed my membership and attended the ESA meeting in Oregon, where I gave an oral presentation and volunteered as a moderator. I've been actively participating in the Society for Invertebrate Pathology since 2021, where I’m a member of the nematode division. I’m also a member of the Organization of Nematologists of Tropical Americas (ONTA), the Chilean Society of Entomology, and IOBC.

Candidate statement: I would like to be more involved in the ESA to have the opportunity to share and collaborate with other members from the International Branch. I think my connections with entomologists and nematologists from different countries will enable me to serve and contribute to the ESA.

Silvia I Rondon
Oregon State University

Bio: Dr. Silvia I. Rondon is professor, extension entomologist, and director of the Oregon Integrated Pest Management Center at Oregon State University. She earned her B.A. and M.S. in entomology from the Agraria University in Lima, Peru, and her Ph.D. in crop sciences with a major in entomology and integrated pest management from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Her research and extension programs focus on integrated pest management, insect ecology, invasive species, and sustainable management of pests affecting irrigated and specialty crops. Dr. Rondon has authored more than 130 peer-reviewed and extension publications and is internationally recognized for her leadership in applied entomology, stakeholder engagement, and advancement of climate-smart IPM systems.

Past ESA activity or other volunteer service: Dr. Silvia I. Rondon is an active member of the Entomological Society of America since 1997, participating in national and regional meetings, organizing symposia, and professional committees, and most recently served as president of the Pacific Branch in 2025. She has contributed extensively through mentorship (e.g. EntosMento, Somos Ento), scientific presentations, judging student competitions, and promoting diversity and inclusion in entomology. Her professional activities at ESA emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration, engagement, and advancement of sustainable pest management and applied entomology.

Candidate statement: I am interested in serving as secretary of the International Branch of the Entomological Society of America because I value the importance of global collaboration, communication, and inclusivity in advancing entomological sciences. Throughout my career, I have worked extensively with international researchers, extension professionals, and stakeholders, experiences that have reinforced the importance of building strong professional networks across regions and disciplines. If elected, I would work to strengthen engagement among members not only of the section but across ESA, support communication and participation, and promote opportunities for students and early-career professionals. I would bring a collaborative, inclusive, and service-oriented perspective to the role while supporting the Section’s mission and long-term growth.

North Central Branch Representative to the ESA Governing Board

• Mary Gardiner, The Ohio State University
• Sajjan Grover, Bayer Crop Science

North Central Branch Representative to the ESA Governing Board

Mary Gardiner
The Ohio State University

Bio: Dr. Mary M. Gardiner is a distinguished professor of food, agricultural, and environmental sciences at The Ohio State University (OSU), interim chair of the OSU Department of Entomology, and co-director of the OSU Environmental Science Graduate Program. The Gardiner Lab’s research program examines the ecology and management of urban greenspaces for insect conservation including vacant lots, yards, parks and rain gardens. The Gardiner Lab has published over 80 peer-reviewed publications and been awarded $8.1 million in grant support, with current funding from the NSF and USDA. Mary has advised 23 graduate students and postdocs and teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in presentation skills and grant writing. Mary served on the Entomological Society of America Governing Board and is a past president of the ESA North Central Branch.

Past ESA activity or other volunteer service:

• President, North Central Branch, 2021-2022
• North Central Branch Representative to the Governing Board, 2023-2026
• North Central Branch Executive Committee, 2020-2026

Candidate statement: Membership in the Entomological Society of America has facilitated many of our successes. Our organization provides opportunities to network and land job opportunities, build research and extension collaborations, present and publish, and be supported by so many mentors and friends. I aim to ensure these benefits continue for all members. In prior service to the North Central Branch, I organized workshops and symposia to provide graduate students and early career professionals with skills to advance their speaking and writing skills, write grants, and build their professional network. If re-elected I will continue to work with the Governing Board to identify unmet needs of current and future members and seek ways for ESA support their growth in all aspects of our scientific discipline.

Sajjan Grover
Bayer Crop Science

Bio: Sajjan Grover, Ph.D., is a senior scientist specializing in hemipteran discovery at Bayer Crop Science. He joined Bayer in 2022 after earning his Ph.D. in entomology from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) in 2021, where he conducted research on molecular plant–insect interactions. His professional goal is to advance the development of innovative and sustainable strategies for agricultural pest management. Sajjan has been actively engaged with ESA since 2017 and has volunteered on several committees. He currently serves as secretary of the P-IE Section and as a member-at-large on the ESA Leadership Development Committee. Sajjan has published nearly 25 peer-reviewed articles and four book chapters, and he is dedicated to mentoring students and early-career professionals through initiatives that support their professional advancement.

Past ESA activity or other volunteer service: Sajjan has organized and contributed to numerous symposia, workshops, webinars and speed networking sessions focused on industry careers at ESA meetings. He has also served as a judge for student competitions and debates and as a session moderator at these meetings. Demonstrating strong leadership, he has previously held various roles: NCB representative to Entomology for All committee, PBT representative to the Science Policy Committee, member of the ESA Early Career Awards Committee, NCB Professional and Honorary Awards Committee, and Student Affairs Committee. He also served as president of the UNL Graduate Student Association and contributed to several other committees. Sajjan has served as a mentor in the ESA PACT program, supporting the professional development of students/ECPs. His contributions have been recognized with several prestigious ESA student/ECP awards.

Candidate statement: I have been a proud member of the NCB Branch for the past nine years and seek to serve as the NCB representative to the ESA Governing Board to amplify NCB voices and build clear, two-way communication between members and the Board. I will focus on inclusive engagement with listening sessions and quick feedback loops and help create a welcoming environment where all members feel supported and heard. I will advocate for resources that enhance Branch programming and career development, streamline governance transparency, and coordinate with other Branches and Sections on shared priorities. Above all, I will be responsive, data driven, and collaborative, ensuring NCB perspectives shape ESA strategy and outcomes. I am passionate about giving back to the scientific community through dedicated service while growing into future leadership roles.

Pacific Branch President-Elect

• Dalila Rendon, Oregon State University

Pacific Branch President-Elect

Dalila Rendon
Oregon State University

Bio: Dalila Rendon is an assistant professor of practice and director of the Pesticide Registration Field Research Program at Oregon State University. In collaboration with the IR-4 project, she manages the field trials required to evaluate the efficacy and residue of pesticides for new registrations in specialty crops. She describes this work as “the perfect intersection of academia, industry, and policy.” Dalila also worked as a research associate at both Oregon State University and USDA-ARS for over five years, focusing on IPM in berries and tree fruit. Dalila earned her B.Sc. in biology from Universidad de Los Andes in Bogotá, Colombia. With a full scholarship from the Australian government, she completed a Ph.D. in applied biosciences at Macquarie University and the Australian Cotton Research Institute, where she studied conservation biological control in cotton crops.

Past ESA activity or other volunteer service: Dalila Rendon has served as a member-at-large on the Pacific Branch Executive Committee since 2025. She is also a member of the PB Entomology Games Committee, where she writes questions, assists with logistics, and supports the Quiz Wizard. Each year, she serves as a judge for student oral presentation competitions at either the Pacific Branch or ESA Annual Meeting. She was also a judge for the Awards Committee for the P-IE Section in 2024 and 2025, as well as for the Early Career Professional Awards from 2017 to 2019, scoring applications across multiple award categories. Dalila has organized symposia for several PB meetings and serves as a reviewer for the Journal of Economic Entomology and Environmental Entomology. Outside of ESA, she is a board member of the Orchard Pest and Disease Management Conference and the Pacific Northwest Insect Management Conference.

Candidate statement: Even though my own career trajectory has not been linear, the ESA Pacific Branch has always been there to give me the confidence to build connections, develop leadership skills, and pursue collaborations with colleagues. Now, older and a bit more experienced, I want to give back to the Society that helped me advance my career and to the Branch where I intend to serve long term. Some of my initiatives include increasing the recruitment of symposium organizers for the Pacific Branch Meeting, encouraging greater participation in PB leadership roles, and facilitating networking opportunities for students and new members during our Branch Meeting so they can expand their professional circles. I want to be an approachable leader; my purpose is to serve with integrity and diligence while listening to the needs of our Branch members.