Dr. Michael P. Parrella received a B.S. degree in animal science from Rutgers University in 1974, and his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in entomology from Virginia Tech in 1977 and 1980, respectively. He began as an assistant professor at the University of California in 1980, and was promoted to professor in 1988. In 1989, he relocated to the Department of Entomology at UC Davis, and was chair of the department from 1991-1999.
Dr. Parrella holds a joint appointment in both entomology and the Department of Plant Sciences on the Davis campus. In 1999, he became associate dean of the Division of Agricultural Sciences in the College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences at UC Davis, a position he currently holds.
Dr. Parrella maintains a teaching/research program in entomology and works in the area of developing IPM strategies for ornamental crops, with an emphasis on biological control. Dr. Parrella is the author of more than 375 publications, with more than 200 of these appearing in trade journals. For 10 years he wrote a monthly column for Greenhouse Manager and GrowerTalks magazines. Dr. Parrella’s laboratory has been an incubator for the development of other research/extension personnel currently working in floricultural entomology.
Dr. Parrella is the recipient of the California Association Research Award (1986), the ESA Recognition Award (1987), the Futura Research and Education Award from the Professional Plant Growers Association (1991), the Alex Laurie Research Award from the Society of American Florists (1997), the Virginia Tech Distinguished Alumni Award (1998), and the Emma Lausten Horticulture Award from Rutgers University (2007). Dr. Parrella initiated and organized the first Conference on Insect and Disease Management on Ornamentals, sponsored by the Society of American Florists (San Jose, CA in 1985), which has become an annual event, currently in its 23rd year.
(updated September, 2008)