image: This image shows North Carolina State University entomologists Fred Gould (left) and Robert Rabb (right). view more
Credit: ESA
Dr. Fred Gould, William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor of Entomology at North Carolina State University (NCSU), has been selected to deliver the Founders' Memorial Award lecture at Entomology 2014, the 62nd Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America (ESA) to be held in Portland, Oregon, November 16-19, 2014.
The topic of the lecture will be the late Dr. Robert L. Rabb, a professor of entomology at NCSU and a pioneer and visionary in developing ecologically sound approaches to insect pest management, well before the IPM paradigm was formulated. Dr. Gould worked as a postdoc with Dr. Rabb, and he has carried Rabb's values and philosophies into the era of genetic engineering.
Dr. Gould's groundbreaking research on the application of evolutionary biology and ecological genetics to sustainable insect pest management has profoundly influenced management of insect pests of crops on a global scale, and holds promise for doing the same for arthropod vectors of human disease. His research and major contributions have earned him numerous national and international awards and election to the U.S. National Academy of Sciences. He is also a Fellow of the Entomological Society of America and of the AAAS.
Dr. Gould has been a leader in shaping the science-based regulatory framework for the deployment of Bt crops in the US and globally. His recent research has established him as an international leader in advancing the theory relating to genetic pest management and the application of molecular genetics and arthropod transformation technologies to manage vectorborne diseases of humans.
In addition, he developed Skeeter Buster, a simulation model that can predict the outcome of population control techniques for vector management. Collectively, this strong, sound theoretical framework will guide the release of genetically-modified mosquitoes in an environmentally sustainable manner, potentially affecting the health and quality of life for millions of people around the world.
"In addition to being richly deserving of the recognition and honor embodied in the ESA Founders' Memorial Award based on the scientific and societal impacts of his research contributions, Fred Gould is well-positioned to discuss R. L. Rabb's many important contributions to entomology and relate them to contemporary issues in pest management and the application of genetic engineering to insect management," said Dr. George Kennedy, William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor of Agriculture at NCSU and former president of ESA.
"Dr. Fred Gould, academic and intellectual heir to Dr. Rabb, is the ideal choice to honor Dr. Rabb's lasting legacy, in large part because he has successfully applied Dr. Rabb's foundational concepts to the most recent generation of IPM tools," said Dr. May Berenbaum, Swanlund Professor and Head of the Department of Entomology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. "Like the career of Dr. Rabb, his postdoctoral mentor, Dr. Gould's career has been an exemplary demonstration of the value of excellent science in service to society."
The Entomological Society of America is the largest organization serving the professional and scientific needs of entomologists and people in related disciplines in the world. Founded in 1889, ESA today has more than 6,500 members affiliated with educational institutions, health agencies, private industry, and government. Members are students, researchers, teachers, extension service personnel, administrators, marketing representatives, consultants, and hobbyists. For more information, please visit http://www.entsoc.org.