Dr. Alvin M. Simmons is a Research Entomologist at USDA-ARS, U.S. Vegetable Laboratory, Charleston, SC. He received a B.S. in biology (East Carolina University, 1980), and M.S. (1983) and Ph.D. (1987) in entomology (University of Kentucky). Alvin leads two USDA-ARS appropriated projects (one on vegetable IPM and another on vegetable and ornamental research supporting the national IR-4 pesticide registration project), and Alvin is Interim Coordinator for USDA-ARS Minor Use Pesticide Program for Food and Ornamental Horticulture. Alvin’s IPM research notably concerns environmental-bionomics, biocontrol, plant resistance, insect-virus-plant relationships, and biopesticides.
Alvin has authored/co-authored 104 refereed journal articles, plus book chapters, co-released 5 breeding lines, and provided over 300 technical reports resulting in over 200 pesticide labels. He has given invited talks at numerous professional conferences and has traveled to 30 countries. He is adjunct faculty with Clemson University and College of Charleston. Alvin actively provides entomological leadership in scientific societies. His extensive ESA service includes: Co-chair of 2016 International Congress of Entomology (ICE 2016), Co-chair of ESA’s bid for ICE 2016, Program Co-Chair, Chair of International Affairs Committee, President of Southeastern Branch-ESA, 11 years on Entomological Foundation Board of Counselors, Committee on Education and Youth; Linnaean Games Committee, etc. He serves on ICE 2020 Organizing Committee, International Plant Resistance to Insects Steering Committee, and others. Alvin’s honors include: first Department of Entomology Distinguished Alumni Award at University of Kentucky, IR-4 Meritorious Award, SEB-ESA Award for Excellence in IPM, SEB-ESA Recognition Award in Entomology, and Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society.