Isaacs gets ESA professional award for excellence in IPM

The Entomological Society of America (ESA) has named the winners of its 2018 professional and student awards, recognizing scientists, educators and students who have distinguished themselves through their contributions to entomology. Rufus Isaacs, Michigan State University Department of Entomology, received the Professional Award for Excellence in Integrated Pest Management (IPM). This award recognizes outstanding contributions that have a direct relation to integrated pest management.

In response to receiving the ESA award, Isaacs said, “I am honored to be selected by ESA for this recognition of our IPM program. It reflects the hard work of a team of dedicated students, postdocs and technicians plus our MSU Extension colleagues that help deliver information to growers. I am also grateful to the Michigan fruit industry and to my institution that both support our entomological endeavors.”

Isaacs’ research focuses on the biology and management of insects and natural enemies in fruit crops, with a goal of developing and implementing IPM programs that improve farm productivity and profitability while reducing environmental impacts. His research has also expanded to crop pollination and how habitat management can improve pollinator health and boost crop yield, quality and stability.

Isaacs will be honored for his award at Entomology 2018, the joint annual meeting of the Entomological Societies of America, Canada and British Columbia, Nov. 11-14, 2018, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Read more about Isaacs and the award from ESA: “ESA Names Winners of 2018 Professional and Student Awards.”

– Mallory Marienfeld, Michigan State University