Alumni

2020 Graduates

 

morganDr. Alex Gannon
MS/DPM

Dr. Gannon received his DPM degree in 2020 and is currently the Assistant Farm Manager at Grovin Farms in Alachua County, FL.

 

“A SORGHUM TRAP CROP TO PREVENT STINK BUGS FROM INFESTNG ORGANIC TOMATOES”

 

 

awadJessica Awad
MS

Jessica is currently pursuing a PhD at the State Museum of Natural History Stuttgart in Germany.

“BUILDING A DIAGNOSTIC FRAMEWORK FOR THE GENUS SYNOPEAS FÖRSTER (HYMENOPTERA: PLATYGASTRIDAE: PLATYGASTRINAE) BASED ON REARED SPECIMENS FROM PAPUA NEW GUINEA”

 

 

iveyCleveland Ivey
MS

Cleveland is currently pursing a PhD at the University of Florida, Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC) under the direction of Dr. Hugh Smith.

 

“Rearing and Quality Control for the Invasive Species, Bagrada hilaris (Burmeister) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)”

 

 

 

 

morganDr. Morgan Pinkerton
MS/DPM

Dr. Pinkerton was a USDA-NIFA NNF Plant Biosecurity Fellow recipient, and she also received the 2020 Southeastern Branch of the Entomological Society of America Kirby L. Hays Memorial Award for her MS in Entomology thesis work.

 

“Invasive Species and Plant Biosecurity Education with a Focus on Rearing Stink Bugs (Hemiptera Pentatomidae) of Concern to Florida ”

http://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/seminoleco/author/morgan0402/

 

sageDr. Sage Thompson
MS/DPM

Dr. Thompson received her terminal DPM degree from the UF BRE Laboratory in 2020, but she also received her Master’s of Entomology and Nematology and undergraduate degree in Entomology with a specialization in biosecurity in the lab. As a DPM student Dr. Thompson was a USDA-NIFA NNF Plant Biosecurity Fellow recipient, and she also received the first scholarship recipient for the Dr. George Agrios Memorial Scholarship. Dr. Thompson is currently a USDA-APHIS-PPQ-PHP Risk Manager.

“Establishment Potential and Impact of Bagrada Hilaris in Florida Cole Crops ”

 

2019 Graduates

cpencaDr. Cory Penca
PhD/DPM

Dr. Cory Penca graduated with his PhD in Entomology and DPM degree during 2019. Dr. Penca currently a biological scientist at USDA-APHIS in Miami, FL.

 

“The Heteropteran Pest Complex in Florida Peaches and the Use of Pyriproxyfen for Diapause Interference and Parasitoid Rearing”

 

 

 

arjunDr. Arjun Khadka   
MS/DPM

Dr. Arjun Khadka graduated with his DPM degree in 2019. Following graduation, Dr. Khadka decided to pursue a PhD in Entomology at Louisiana State University.

 

“Host and Relative Humidity : Assessment of Halyomorpha Halys (Stal) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)”

 

 

 

arianeDr. Ariane McCorquodale
MS/DPM

Dr. McCorquodale is a biological scientist with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry. In her current role she is develops new tools for trapping the Giant African Land Snail (Lissachatina fulica), a global agricultural pest.

 

 

 



Dr. Ploy Kurdmongkoltham

Dr. Ploy Kurdmongkoltham graduated with her DPM degree in 2019. Dr. Kurdmongkoltham is currently a Research and Development Plant Pathologist and Microbiologist at Arborjet, Inc. in Woburn, MA.

 

 

 

 

 

2018 Graduates

colvinDr. Blaire Colvin

Dr. Colvin graduated with her DPM degree during 2018. Dr. Colvin currently lives in Birmingham, AL is a Technical Manager for the Southeastern U.S. for the FMC corporation.

“Influence of Canopy Health and Maturity on Peanut Peg Strength, Yield, and Grade)”

 

 

ericDr. James Betts

Dr. James Betts graduated with his DPM degree in 2018. Dr. James Betts originally continued his work with FMC corporation, but he currently is focused on developing his own farm and business in south Georgia.

 

 


ericDr. Bruce Stripling

Dr. Bruce Stripling graduated with his DPM degree in 2018. Dr. Bruce Stripling is currently the Horseshoe East Technical Service Manager for FMC Corporation in Adel, GA.

 

 

 

 

2017 Graduates

NicoleDr. Nicole Casuso

Dr. Nicole Casuso graduated with her DPM degree during 2017, and has worked in education and currently as a Biological Scientist IV Containment Officer at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry in Gainesville, FL.

 

 

 

 

eric Dr. Lisbeth Espinoza

 

Dr. Lisbeth Espinoza graduated with her DPM degree during 2017, and currently serves as a Lecturer at ESPOL (Escuela Superior Politecnica del Litoral) in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

 

“Initial Population Densities and Effects of Temperature and Cultivars on the Pathogenic Potential of Meloidogyne Haplanaria, an Emerging Threat to Tomato Production in Florida ”

 

2015 Graduates

ericDr. Eric LeVeen

Dr. LeVeen graduated from the Doctor of Plant Medicine Program in Fall 2015.

 

“BEFORE THE INVASION: DETERMINING THE POTENTIAL HOST RANGE IN FLORIDA OFHALYOMORPHA HALYS (STÅL) (HEMIPTERA: HETEROPTERA: PENTATOMIDAE)”

 

 

 

 

2014 Graduates

weigel

Dr. Carla Burkle

Dr. Carla Burkle graduated from the DPM program during 2014. Dr. Burkle held several professional positions following graduation, but she is currently living in Pennsylvania and focused on raising her beautiful daughter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

mcleanSarahlynne Guerrero

Following graduation, Sarahlynne Guerrero Nohr has held several positions in industry. Sarahlynne is currently a Senior Grower at Nature’s Way Farms in Miami, FL. Her thesis work was entitled:

“Development and Evaluation of Biorational Dips for Ornamental Cuttings Infested with the Madeira Mealybug, Phenacoccus madeirensis Green.”

 

 

 

 

kooramPaula Kelly

Paula Kelly graduated from her MS (non-thesis) distance program during 2014. As an Agricultural Specialist with the US Customs and Border Protection, she has been able to utilize her degree for various work responsibilities, including port inspections and educational trainings for other colleagues.

 

 

 

 

 

Ashley Poplin

Following graduation, Ashley pursued her dream of becoming a Certified Crime Scene Analyst. More recently, Ashley has become the Co-Founder of Gap Science LLC in Orlando, FL. Her thesis work was entitled:

“A Florida Perspective on Host Preference, Early Detection, and Identification of the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål).”

 

 


 

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