Post Doc Sought: Spotted Wing Drosophila

Post-doctoral fellowship to study the biology of spotted wing drosophila (SWD) populations in California’s agricultural landscapes, and to conduct research on novel management methods. This work will be based in the laboratory of Dr. Frank Zalom, Distinguished Professor and Extension Entomologist, Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616.

A post-doctoral position is currently available for a minimum of one year to study spotted wing drosophila (SWD) population biology and management in California.  Further extension is dependent on continued availability of funds and satisfactory progress.  SWD was first found in the Monterey Bay area of California, and the Zalom lab at UC Davis conducted the initial studies of its biology.  It has subsequently become widespread throughout North America and Canada, and is a major pest of berry and cherry crops. One main goal of this project is to study SWD populations in the Monterey Bay area where it is a major pest of berry crops and in the northern San Joaquin Valley where if is a major pest of sweet cherries to better define aspects of it biology such as movement between crop and non-crop hosts and overwintering. This research will be conducted in collaboration with Dr. Joanna Chiu and focused on establishing amount of genetic variability between local populations. Another goal is to conduct field studies of novel methods of SWD control.

Successful candidate is expected to hold a recent (received within the last three years) Ph.D. in Entomology from a U.S. university with field research experience and an interest in working in a diverse agricultural landscape. The candidate is expected to be capable of working independently. Ability to plan and execute hypothesis driven research projects that lead to publications in peer-reviewed journals is essential. Some knowledge or experience in using molecular techniques within a research project is desirable.

Excellent oral and written communications in English are required, as is the ability to communicate in nontechnical terms to growers and crop consultants. The incumbent is expected to obtain a California driver license to visit study sites for field studies throughout California.  Interested candidates should send resume, names and contact information of three references to fgzalom@ucdavis.edu.

Salary is commensurate with experience.  The position carries standard benefits, including healthcare, applicable to these positions at the University of California, Davis. University of California is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.

Closing Date: This position will remain open until a suitable candidate is identified.

Organization Type: Academic

Location: Davis, CA, USA

Post Doc Sought: Epidemiology and Management of Insect-Vectored Viruses

Post-doctoral fellowship to study the epidemiology of Grapevine red blotch-associated virus and biology and management of its vector in the laboratories of Dr. Frank Zalom, Distinguished Professor and Extension Entomologist, Department of Entomology and Nematology, and Dr. Mysore Sudarshana, Research Biologist, USDA-ARS, Department of Plant Pathology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616.

A post-doctoral position is currently available for one year to study the epidemiology of Grapevine red blotch-associated virus (GRBaV) in California.  Further extension is dependent on availability of funds and satisfactory progress.  Grapevine red blotch-associated virus (GRBaV) is a newly identified DNA virus, tentatively classified in the family Geminiviridae, that is believed to be widely prevalent in California vineyards.  The main thrust of this project is to study how this virus spreads in California vineyards. The candidate is expected to be skilled in molecular detection techniques and capable of working independently. 

Successful candidate is expected to hold a recent (received within the last three years) Ph.D. in Entomology or Plant Pathology with research experience on the biology of insect vectors of plant viruses.  Ability to plan and execute hypothesis driven research projects that lead to publications in peer-reviewed journals is a must. Research experience on virus-vector interaction is highly desirable.  Excellent oral and written communications in English are required.  The incumbent is expected to obtain a California driver license to visit vineyards for field studies throughout California.  Interested candidates should send resume, names and contact information of three references to fgzalom@ucdavis.edu or mysore.sudarshana@ars.usda.gov.

Salary is commensurate with experience.  The position carries standard benefits, including healthcare, applicable to these positions at the University of California, Davis. University of California is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.

Closing Date: This position is available and will remain open until a suitable candidate is identified.

Organization Type: Academic

Location: Davis, CA, USA

Amanda Crump Named the New Director of the Western IPM Center

Agricultural educator Amanda Crump has been named the new director of the Western Integrated Pest Management Center, bringing a lifelong interest in extension education to the job.

“I grew up on a dairy and forage farm in southeastern Idaho, and my dad always had University of Idaho researchers and extension agents on the farm,” Crump said. “I really wanted to become an extension educator because of my dad. We farmed at 6,000 feet elevation, which is very challenging and the margins were low, so he was always looking for ways to farm better.”

As director of the Western IPM Center, Crump will lead the Center’s efforts to protect human health and the environment by promoting the development, adoption and evaluation of integrated pest management in 13 Western states and the Pacific Island Territories. She leaves the Horticulture Innovation Lab, a federally funded program located at the University of California, Davis, where she was associate director.

“I look forward to joining the Western IPM Center because I feel that the work the Center does to support integrated pest management research and advocate for IPM policies is important not just for growers, but also for the communities and natural areas of the West,” said Crump, who begins her new job on May 2. “I’m really interested in the question of how to best disseminate IPM information and get growers and others to adopt IPM practices.”

Jim Farrar, the former Western IPM Center director who left the position to become the head of the University of California Statewide IPM Program, said Crump’s background made her a perfect fit for the job.

“At the Horticulture Innovation Lab, Amanda had a lot of experience with a similar program, although its focus was international and the Center’s is regional,” he said. “She has good skills in interacting with stakeholders and collaborators, and brings experience in evaluation and change theory that will really benefit the Center.”

The Western IPM Center is one of four regional centers funded by the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture to promote integrated pest management to reduce the health and environmental risks of both pests and pest management practices. The Center makes grants to IPM researchers and extension specialists to develop new IPM techniques and promote their adoption.

IPM is a science-based approach to pest management that encourages a multi-faceted approach to controlling pests. In integrated pest management, growers use techniques like crop rotations, plant-variety selection, natural enemies and biological controls and selective pesticides to keep pest populations at levels that don’t cause economic harm.

Crump was a state FFA officer in college and graduated from the University of Idaho with a degree in agricultural education. She received a master’s degree in plant pathology and weed science from Colorado State University and was an environmental horticulture farm advisor in California’s Fresno County before coming to the Horticulture Innovation Lab in 2009. That program builds international partnerships for fruit and vegetable research that improves livelihoods in developing countries.

Crump is now working to finish a doctorate in agricultural education at UC Davis.

“I’m still fascinated with understanding how people learn, especially how they learn new ideas or techniques in agriculture,” she said. “I think it’s an important aspect of this job.”

Amanda Crump can be reached after May 2 at acrump@ucanr.edu or (530) 750-1271.