Faculty, Students Earn Top Honors at 100th Anniversary of Entomological Society's Southeastern Branch Meeting

The Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology made a strong showing at the 100th Anniversary Meeting of the Southeastern Branch of the Entomological Society of America in Hilton Head, South Carolina. Faculty and students proudly represented the department, returning home with a number of various awards.

Faculty excellence was recognized as Austin Jones received the prestigious ESA-SEB Distinguished Achievement Award in Teaching, and Neel Joshi was awarded the ESA-SEB Recognition Award in Insect Physiology, Biochemistry and Toxicology — two notable accolades that reflect the department's excellence in both education and research.

Jones is an instructor and serves as director of undergraduate education and outreach in the department. He has built a career in science education, teaching undergraduate entomology courses and coordinating outreach activities. He also leads statewide engagement through his mobile STEAM program, the ENTO-ROADSHOW.

Joshi is a professor of entomology in the department. His research focuses on pesticide toxicology, insecticide resistance, pollinator health and pest management. Joshi's research in toxicology and risk assessment has had significant global policy impact, with his work cited in over 40 policy documents worldwide. Several of these have been further cited in numerous additional policies, highlighting the far-reaching influence and practical relevance of his contributions. He is an active educator and mentor, guiding numerous graduate students and postdoctoral researchers.

Several entomology doctoral students in the department earned top honors across a variety of competitive categories. Manish Gautam secured first place in the 10-minute presentation competition, while Insha Shafi and Alejandro Vasquez each placed second in the same category. In poster and research presentation competitions, Duy Trinh placed second in the Ph.D. poster competition, and Devi Balakrishnan finished second in the poster display category.

Graduate students also made presentations, with Claire Graves earning second place in the Master's Section 3 category and Gage Maris placing second in the Ph.D. Section 4 category.

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About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among few colleges and universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.