Identification and Management Recommendations of Common Fungal Diseases of Eastern Black Walnut

Managing Common Fungal Diseases of Eastern Black Walnut

  Aaron Onufrak, doctoral candidate and research lab manager, recently published a paper entitled “Identification and Management Recommendations of Common Fungal Diseases of Eastern Black Walnut” (Publication W1101) alongside William Klingman, professor in the Department of Plant Sciences, and his mentor, Denita Hadziabdic Guerry, associate professor in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology. The publication introduces the Eastern black walnut and identifies key characteristics of the tree and its common fungal diseases.                        

Cavendar Award Winners standing with UTIA leaders

Cavender Outstanding Award for Best Publication

  The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture recognized some of its top faculty, staff, researchers and Extension experts at UTIA’s annual awards and promotions luncheon on August 16, 2022. The ceremony, which was hosted by UTIA Senior Vice Chancellor and Senior Vice President Carrie Castille, celebrated the accomplishments of many faculty, staff, and students. The Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology is excited to announce that during the awards ceremony, Rebecca Butler, Jennifer Chandler, Rebecca Trout Fryxell, and Karen Vail were presented the Cavender Outstanding Award for Best Publication. To view their publication, visit Managing Ticks on School Grounds (PB 1895). If you would like to view the entire list of award winners, visit UTIA 2022 Awards & Promotions.

cropped photo of a scholar using an electronic balance in the lab

Explore BiGG Data – A Research and Extension Experience for Undergraduates

    Explore BiGG Data REEU is an 8-week research training opportunity for undergraduate students in bioinformatics, genetics, and genomics. The program, which is held in the summer months, provides participants with the opportunity to gain hands-on research and leadership experience while simultaneously strengthening their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. “The overall goal of the BiGG Research Scholars Program is, therefore, to holistically prepare talented, diverse women for graduate programs and careers in BiGG.” The highly selective program is comprised of a team of faculty with active research programs focused on plants and animals, and faculty with programs focused on analysis and interpretation of BiGG data. Graduate students who have obtained the necessary skills needed for BiGG research are also

Portrait Dr. Bonnie Ownley

Bonnie Ownley Selected as a 2022 American Phytopathological Society Fellow

  Bonnie Ownley, professor, graduate director, and assistant department head in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture (UTIA), was selected as a 2022 American Phytopathological Society (APS) Fellow. The award recognizes Ownley’s many contributions and accomplishments in plant pathology, soil systems, biological disease control and professional service. To read more about Professor Ownley’s recognition, visit the news release UTIA Professor Selected as a 2022 American Phytopathological Society Fellow. Entomology and Plant Pathology – University of Tennessee – Posts | Facebook        

a group of people sitting in chairs in a large space while Dr. Karen Vail presents

8th Annual Bed Bug, Cockroach, and Rodent Meeting

    On August 3rd, the 8th Annual Bed Bug, Cockroach, and Rodent Management Meeting was held at the UT Conference Center. The event, which Extension Urban Entomologist Karen Vail organized, provided pest management professionals, housing personnel, social workers, healthcare personnel, and others the opportunity to hear university researchers speak on various subjects. These topics ranged from the effects of bed bugs, cockroaches, and rodents on mental and physical health to solving bed bug and cockroach problems in multi-unit structures. If you missed this year’s meeting and would like to stay up-to-date on future events, visit Upcoming Events – Entomology & Plant Pathology (tennessee.edu). Other training opportunities for household and structural pest management professionals offered by the UT Entomology &

Portrait Dr. Denita Hadziabdic-Guerry

Denita Hadziabdic Guerry Honored with Faculty Research Mentor Award

  The Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement (EURēCA) is an annual event that showcases research and creative activities across all disciplines by currently enrolled undergraduate students in collaboration with a University of Tennessee, Knoxville or UTIA faculty mentor. This year, the 26th annual EURēCA event was held in person on April 25, 2022, in the Student Union Ballroom. During the event, students presented their individual, group, or classroom. The awards ceremony, hosted on May 2, 2022, recognized staff, faculty, and students across many disciplines. Dentia Hadziabdic Guerry, assistant professor in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, is the winner of the Faculty Research Mentor Award. This award honors a faculty member that demonstrates what it means to

finger pointing to honey bees on a frame

Jennifer Tsuruda Attends the 2022 Organic Farming and Gardening Field Day

    On April 28th, the 2022 Organic Farming and Gardening Field Day event was held at the East Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center (ETREC) Organic Crops Unit. UT faculty and staff, as well as other experienced personnel, gave presentations to the public on a variety of topics, ranging from alley cropping agroforestry for vegetable production to creating pollinator habitats in gardens. EPP Assistant Professor and Extension Apiculture Specialist Dr. Jennifer Tsuruda, one of the featured speakers at the event, engaged the participants with her pollinator jokes while informing them about science-based information to help create pollinator habits in their home gardens and farms. The importance of site preparation and the need for research on the nutritional value of different

flyer detailing 2022 Herbert College award winners. Dr Terry Niblack and Dr. Alan Windham

Herbert College of Agriculture Annual Awards

    “The mission of the Herbert College of Agriculture is to prepare students for careers in agriculture, natural resources, and other arenas. We recognize excellence of our students, staff, faculty, alumni, and supporters through our annual awards.” On April 22, 2022, the Herbert College of Agriculture recognized some outstanding faculty, staff, students, and alumni for their accomplishments at the annual award ceremony. We would like to recognize and thank two of the award winners, Drs. Terry Niblack and Alan Windham, for their valuable contribution to science. Distinguished Alumni Award – Dr. Terry Niblack is a distinguished graduate of the University of Tennessee, first with a double major B.S. (’76) in Horticulture/Agricultural Education and an M.S. (’82) in Entomology &

a transparent collage of images that have the wording UT Research Foundation Innovation Awards written across the images

EPP Members Recognized At UT Research Foundation Innovation Awards

    “The University of Tennessee Research Foundation (UTRF) is an organization that promotes the commercialization of UT intellectual property, encourages an entrepreneurial culture, contributes to state and regional economic development, and promotes research and education to benefit the people of Tennessee and beyond.” Recently, UTRF celebrated the work of several faculty and staff during the UTRF Innovation Awards luncheon. We would like to congratulate the many individuals in our department that were recognized at the event. Listed below are the EPP faculty and staff award winners and collaborating colleagues that were recognized in the respective categories:   Recent Licenses: Robert Trigiano, Sarah Boggess, and Phillipp Wadl; Juan Luis Jurat-Fuentes, Heba Abdelgaffar, and Rafael Ferreira Dos Santos Recently Issued Patents:

Study Reveals High Genetic Diversity, Mutation, and Migration Rates of Bradford Pear

  Pyrus calleryana Decne. (Callery pear) is a deciduous tree native to China, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. It is a popular ornamental tree in the United States (US) with early spring blooms and vibrant fall color. There are at least 26 cultivars of P. calleryana available in the US of which “Bradford” is the most well-known. Open-pollinated P. calleryana escapees are becoming one of the most common invasive tree species in the eastern United States. Developing better management practices for invasive P. calleryana requires detailed knowledge about reproductive biology and genetic diversity of the species, however, little is currently known about genetic variability within those open-pollinated populations. We investigated genetic diversity and population structure of non-cultivated, escaped P. calleryana populations