EPP DEI Committee Celebrates Indigenous Peoples’ Day

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  October 11th is a day to honor and celebrate Indigenous people. Indigenous People are often referred to as the first people or Native people. The UN states there are more than 370 million indigenous people spread across 70 countries worldwide. Practicing unique traditions, they retain social, cultural, economic, and political characteristics that are distinct from those of the dominant societies in which they live. EPP’s DEI committee will be celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day throughout the month of October. For events and seminars celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day, please visit our calendar.    

A photo of Manuel Lluberas in front of the African Queen

This Was Not in the Job Description: Three Decades of Bouncing Around the Tropics Chasing Mosquitoes

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  EPP has invited Manuel Lluberas, a public health entomologist, to speak about his extensive experience in the control of insects of public health and veterinary importance obtained during the past three decades on September 16th at 1:00 PM EDT. He served twelve years as medical entomologist and medical intelligence officer for the US Navy attached to the US Marines and have been Executive Director for Public Health for H. D. Hudson Manufacturing Company over twenty-six (26) years. Manuel has provided technical assistance on the design, implementation, evaluation, and technical capacity building on integrated vector management to private and public entities and UN agencies in sixty-three (63) countries in three (3) continents. Some of his most significant accomplishments include designing

a flyer for Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration and Events

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  September 15 – October 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month. Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the history and culture of Hispanic and Latino Americans and their ancestors who came from the Caribbean, Central and South America, Spain, and Mexico. The achievements of the American Latino community are celebrated nationwide through festivals, community gatherings, and more. The University of Tennessee will be holding events for students and the public throughout the month and these events can be found here. On September 23rd, 2021, Dr. Jurat-Fuentes, an EPP professor, will discuss the history of Argentine tango music and dance. This event is free and open to the public.                

Julian Cosner while in the field doing research

Julian Cosner Selected as SEC Emerging Scholar

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In 2021, the SEC Emerging Scholars Program was established to provide professional development and networking opportunities for current doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers who are considering careers in higher education. The Emerging Scholars Program encourages top scholars to seek employment and mentorship within the SEC. Each SEC member school was tasked with selecting up to 10 individuals to participate in the first workshop. The University of Tennessee had 45 outstanding nominees, and 10 were selected. Julian Cosner, a Ph.D. student under the tutelage of Dr. Grant, has been announced as one of the 10 participants! This is an impressive accomplishment. Congratulations Julian! 

portrait of Rufus Akinrinlola

Rufus Akinrinlola Announced as Recipient of Corteva DELTA Grant

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  Rufus Akinrinlola, a Ph.D. student under the tutelage of Dr. Kelly, has been announced as a recipient of the Corteva DELTA grant! The Corteva Developing Emerging Leaders and Talent in Agriculture (DELTA) program provides support to diverse talent and their research focusing on sustainable and reliable food production. Rufus participated in a research symposium, showcasing his research in nematode populations in soybeans and how they affect cover crops and Nitrogen fixation. Congratulations Rufus! Well-deserved.      

world refugee day wording with color hands shaped in a heart

World Refugee Day

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Sunday, June 20th, 2021 is World Refugee Day, an international celebration orchestrated by the United Nations. Officially recognized on June 20th, 2001 (the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees), the day aims to commemorate and honor the grit and strength of those who leave their home countries due to conflict and seek out better lives for themselves and their loved ones.   The UN defines a refugee as “someone who has fled their home due to a well-founded fear of persecution because of his/her race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion”. At least 20 people every minute leave their entire lives behind due to oppression and war-torn conditions (UN.org,

hands in a circle

2021 Awards for EPP!

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Recently, awards of all kinds have been bestowed to many of our wonderful individuals throughout our department and beyond. To just take a moment and be proud, please take a look at this HUGE list of achievements: *Pictures in order of appearance. Not pictured: Diversity & Inclusion Committee and Jessica Krob. Our Diversity & Inclusion Committee was selected as the 2021 winner of the Dr. Marva Rudolph Diversity and Inclusion Unit Excellence Award, which recognizes a unit or department that has demonstrated outstanding leadership and made consistent contributions to advancing diversity and inclusion at UT. Dr. Scott Stewart was selected for the Entomological Society of America (ESA) Southeastern Branch Award for Excellence in Integrated Pest Management Award. This award recognizes