Dr. Lawrence A. Lacey is internationally recognized for his work in insect pathology and microbial control. He has published more than 200 refereed journal articles, reviews, and book chapters in medical and agricultural entomology and insect pathology, and has edited or co-edited four books, including the Manual of Techniques in Insect Pathology and the Field Manual of Techniques in Invertebrate Pathology.
Lacey received his master’s degree (1975) and Ph.D. (1978) in entomology at the University of California, Riverside. His first work was with the National Institute of Amazon Research in Manaus, Brazil. Subsequently, he has worked for the USDA Agricultural Research Service, the World Health Organization, and the Vector Biology and Control Project (USAID) in the U.S., Latin America, West Africa, Europe, and several other regions of the world. His research has included studies on the biology and microbial control of black flies, mosquitoes, Japanese beetle, whiteflies, and several insect pests of tree fruit and potato. He led the Japanese beetle control project on Terceira Island (Azores, Portugal), and he conducted foreign exploration for natural enemies of Bemisia tabaci while based in Montpellier, France. In 1996, he was assigned to the USDA-ARS laboratory in Wapato, WA, where he has implemented a research program in insect pathology.
Lacey has served as an officer in the ESA and in the Society for Invertebrate Pathology, and as subject editor, co-editor and editorial board member for ESA journals and for the Journal of Invertebrate Pathology. His honors include an International Honor Award from the USDA Foreign Agriculture Service and a Public Service Award from the University of California, Riverside Alumni Association.
(updated September, 2008)