Seminars

March 7, 2024. Dr. Laura Sariego-Kluge and Mr. Carlos Córdoba González. Researchers from Costa Rica. (View Recorded Presentation) 

Dr. Laura Sariego-Kluge obtained her Ph.D. in Political and Economic Geography at the Center for Urban and Regional Development Studies at the University of Newcastle, United Kingdom. Dr. Sariego-Kluge is a researcher at both the Center for Research and Training in Public Administration (CICAP), and at the Economic Sciences Research Institute (IICE), University of Costa Rica (UCR); she is also director and editor of publications at CICAP. As a CICAP researcher, Laura is a link with the School of Public Administration and the UCR academy. She has produced various publications and participated in conferences on topics of territory and development, innovation, economic development, and economic geography. She was a Visiting Academic in Australia, an Intern at the WTO in Switzerland, and has provided consultancies in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and El Salvador.

Mr. Carlos Córdoba González is a psychologist by profession, with a Master’s Degree in Business Administration. He has held management positions in companies with national and international coverage, leading recruitment processes, retention and development of talent, knowledge management, strategic alignment and cultural change, technological integration, and culture quality. He has developed projects and services from Mexico to Argentina, acquiring and systematizing experience in the sector and management of MSMEs, business development, competitiveness, entrepreneurship, and permanent improvement. Mr. Córdoba González has extensive experience as a consultant and facilitator of learning and competency-based management processes. He has served as an international tutor of training processes in human resources management by competencies for the ILO, professor of the Master of Business and Bachelor of Human Resources programs at the Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica, with regular participation in Master’s programs of other universities.

Abstract: Dr. Sariego-Kluge will be presenting about her current work on the role of scale and agency in economic sustainable transition processes, using the Chorotega region (Guanacaste) as a case study for Costa Rica’s tourism industry. Mr. Córdoba González will be presenting the experience of a social initiative founded in 2019. This endeavor has emerged as a significant contributor to the efforts aimed to improve the beekeeping industry in Costa Rica. He will focus on the principles that we deem crucial for establishing social enterprises, in alignment with current trends.

January 11, 2024. Liz Driscoll. Engaging Extension Educators in On-Demand Curriculum Training. (View Recorded Presentation) 

Liz Driscoll is a 4-H Specialist with NC Cooperative Extension across the departments of Horticulture, Crop and Soil Sciences, Entomology and Plant Pathology at NC State. Ms. Driscoll has been working to connect youth and educators to opportunities in agriculture and natural resources in meaningful ways. Her goals are to support Extension professionals, volunteers and community members to foster curious and wondering youth, inspire critical thinkers and problem solvers, build positive science self-efficacy in youth, connect kids to good food and nurture environmental stewards of the land through gardening and agriculture.

Abstract: Crafted from research-based evidence, North Carolina 4-H’s numerous pollinator curricula offer educators a concrete resource to generate youth interest and stewardship while helping to grow conceptual understanding of pollinators and to build youth who are competent, critical thinkers and contribute back to their community in service. This project consisted of the development of online courses for each of the 4-H pollinator curricula, targeting training for Extension agents, Extension volunteers, 4-H leaders, Extension Master Gardener Volunteers and their community partners, teachers, and non-profit educators. Extension Agent training on these resources continues to be the most effective strategy for the adoption of pollinator programming in the counties.

November 7, 2023. KK Sharma. Crop Grouping for Extrapolation of Maximum Residue Limit. (View Recorded Presentation) 

K. K. Sharma received his Ph.D. in Pesticide Residues from University of Delhi, India, and joined Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Ministry of Agriculture, as a scientist, in 1986. He has extensive experience in the field of multilocation-supervised GAP trials to study the persistence and degradation of pesticide residues on crops, evaluation of residue data for risk assessment and MRL fixation (over 36 years), and monitoring pesticide residues in food commodities (over 18 years). Sharma has been associated with Central Insecticide Board & Registration Committee (CIB&RC), Ministry of Agriculture for the approval of label of crop-pesticide combination; the Scientific Panel of Pesticide Residues, the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI), Ministry of Health for risk assessment and MRL fixation, as well as with the Codex Committee of Pesticide Residues for more than 12 years. Sharma has authored a seminal Pesticide Residue Analysis Manual, published more than 45 research papers, and audited over 50 pesticide residue food testing laboratories as per ISO/IEC 17025: 2017. Presently, he is working as an expert consultant in fields of pesticide residues, risk assessment, MRL fixation, crop grouping, etc. for various international training programs organized by USDA, CLDP, CIRSA USA; CABI, and IAEA, Austria. Dr. Sharma enjoys traveling, cricket, and gardening.

Abstract: National regulatory authorities use pesticide residue field trial data for consumer safety and fixation of MRLs on raw agricultural commodities. Field trials data are mostly generated by the pesticide industry on crops having major production and consumption in the country whereas minor crops are generally neglected as these crops are commercially non-viable. To extrapolate pesticide residue data from major crops to minor crops, the Codex Alimentarius has adopted a guidance document “Principles and guidance on the selection of representative commodities for the extrapolation of maximum residue limits for pesticides to commodity groups” in 2017. The representative crop commodities are chosen based on their commercial importance and the similarity of their morphology and residue characteristics to other related commodities in the aforementioned groups or subgroups. The representative crop commodity within the group is major in terms of production and consumption and most likely to contain the highest residue. Codex document has divided all the food commodities in five types namely Type 01-Fruit commodity groups; Type 02-Vegetable commodity groups; Type 03-Grass commodity groups; Type 04-Nuts, seeds and saps; and Type 05-Herbs and spices. These major types are further divided into subgroups if they differ in GAP, production, morphology, nature of edible portions, etc., and having one or more representative crops. JMPR recommends the crop group MRL if sufficient residue data is available on the representative(s) crop and is also adopted by the CCPR.

November 7, 2023. Ian Reichstein. A Discussion of Benefit-cost Analysis in Integrated Pest Management Across Multiple Stakeholders. (View Recorded Presentation)

Ian Reichstein grew up on a fruit-growing property in rural South Australia. His tertiary education saw him leave for the Australian National University Canberra to study Biochemistry and Microbiology. Following graduation in 1979, Ian worked in analytical and research laboratories from 1980 to 1992. From there, he worked for nearly 30 years in ACT and Federal government environment and agriculture departments. Ian joined the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Environment and Water Resources in 1997 and stayed until retirement in January 2020. From 2001, Ian worked with the Australian National Residue Survey and became Director in 2007. He also joined the Australian delegation to the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues in 2001 and became delegation leader in 2007.

Abstract: You have been invited to join a member country delegation to the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues. Your first CCPR meeting may be confronting for its perceived complexity. It certainly was for this presenter. If attendance at future CCPR meetings is a possibility for you, this presentation is aimed at breaking down some of the complexities/nuances to allow you to engage in the workings of CCPR efficiently and effectively. Distilling CCPR into one presentation is a formidable task and prior knowledge cannot be assumed. This seminar presentation will provide background on the Codex Alimentarius and its committees including CCPR. The policies, rules, and guidelines of CCPR will further set the scene before you sit down in plenary as an official delegate. Consultation, coordination, and cooperation are the key objectives in your interactions throughout the year leading to CCPR plenary working as part of a delegation and as a representative of your country. When you eventually sit in CCPR plenary for the first time, you will be able to look confident and understand the machinations of the meeting at your first attempt.

October 12, 2023. Dr. Zachary Brown. A Discussion of Benefit-cost Analysis in Integrated Pest Management Across Multiple Stakeholders. (View Recorded Presentation)

Dr. Zachary Brown is an associate professor in the NCSU Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, and also part of the NCSU faculty cluster in the Genetic Engineering & Society Center. He earned his Ph.D. from Duke University and his B.A. from Lawrence University. His research and teaching broadly revolve around the field of bioeconomics, analyzing the dynamic interactions between human behavior and complex environmental and ecological systems, using experimental methods, observational data, mathematical models and theory. His current and previous pursuits include researching the effects of alternative economic incentives and policies for managing pesticide resistance in agricultural systems, public perceptions and consumers’ willingness to pay for food products using new genetic engineering technologies, the economics of controlling vector-borne diseases such as malaria, as well as economic evaluations of more efficient household cookstoves for reducing air pollution and deforestation.

Abstract: Adoption of integrated pest management (IPM) remains a challenge in the US and globally. Agricultural economists and others have raised IPM adoption costs relative to uncertain and delayed economic benefits as a major barrier. Additionally, the benefits of widespread IPM adoption to farming communities and society at large extend beyond the economic incentives for individual growers to adopt IPM. Benefit-cost analysis (BCA) at multiple levels of management (farm, region, state and national scales) offers an important set of practices for understanding the tradeoffs facing stakeholders at these different levels. In this presentation, I will review the economic foundations of BCA in relation to pest management tactics. I will discuss example applications that illustrate these concepts. I will also offer ideas on how to enhance the practice of BCA in IPM in order to improve long-run aggregate economic efficiency and facilitate collective decision-making among stakeholders.

August 24, 2023. Joe LaForest. Bugwood: What is it? (View Recorded Presentation)

Mr. Joe LaForest is Associate Director for the University of Georgia’s Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health (Bugwood) and leads the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Forest Health programs. He joined University of Georgia in 2006 and has focused on developing resources for educating all audiences on IPM and plant biosecurity as well as using technology to enable more effective use and distribute information. He leads system development for various databases and interfaces used by the center for organization and delivery of images, video, presentations, occurrence data, maps, and other user created content. He also serves as Co-Director for the Southern IPM Center and coordinates the Facilitation of Innovation Through Technology (FITT) initiative to encourage communication between systems focused on IPM and Plant Biosecurity while also leveraging the capabilities of each system to maximize the benefit to all stakeholders.

Abstract: This webinar gives the history of Bugwood leading to their becoming the Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health at the University of Georgia. It describes the many services and data sources they offer today including easily accessible archives of high quality images, presentations, & other resources; website hosting to support multi-institution outreach; and pest & invasive species reporting combined with data aggregation, validation & mapping. Finally, it explains how the Center’s strategic plan has led to the improvement of the products and services it offers.

June 15, 2023. William Landis. Small Farms, Cooperative Extension, and IPM. (View Recorded Presentation)

Mr. William Landis is the Small Farms/Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent for Franklin County Cooperative Extension. He graduated with a Master of Science in Agriscience Education in 2013 from North Carolina A&T State University. He taught secondary agriculture for the Public Schools of Robeson County. In addition to working as an Extension Agent, Mr. Landis serves in the Army Reserves as a Civil Affairs Officer.

Abstract: This presentation will discuss what Cooperative Extension is and how IPM experts can support the extension mission. It will also discuss small farmers and their pest management challenges.

June 8, 2023. Madeline Maynard. Analysis of Pesticide Risk Communication Strategies in Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Member Economies (View Recorded Presentation) (View Slides)

April 10, 2023. Dr. Silvia Rondon. Transferring Innovative Pest Management Programs Into the Hands of Our Next Generation of Users (View Recorded Presentation)

Dr. Silvia Rondon is the Oregon IPM Center Director, and a Professor and Extension Entomology Specialist at Oregon State University affiliated with the Department of Crop & Soil Sciences. She received her BA and MS in Entomology from the Agraria University in Lima, Perú, and Ph.D. in Crop Sciences with a major in Entomology and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. In Sept-2005, she joined Oregon State University. Her position includes Research, Extension, and Administration. Her area of expertise is IPM with an emphasis on insect ecology, insect distribution, population dynamics, and insect-plant interactions.

Abstract: The Oregon IPM Center (OIPMC)’s mission is to work with partners in agriculture, urban communities, and wildland/natural areas partners, while achieving a practical system to protect us from long-established and new invasive pests. One of our signature programs, the phenology program, was created and developed in 1996. Since then, the center had developed and maintained a weather and climate-driven decision support website for pest management and related agricultural needs. This presentation will include some practical case studies that will illustrate the technical capabilities of our system.

March 9, 2023.  Dr. Nicole Juba. Plant-based Solutions for a Healthier World (View Recorded Presentation)

Abstract: Pairwise is a food tech company headquartered in Durham, North Carolina, working to make healthy eating more convenient. In fact, our mission is “to build a healthier world through better fruits and vegetables”. To achieve this, we are finding the most impactful ways to make fruits and vegetables more enjoyable, convenient, and available. From trait discovery to field production to your table, come find out how we are developing leafy greens, berries, and cherries, and how we solve the expected, and unexpected challenges, ahead of us.

November 10, 2022. Dr. Fred Gould. Genetically Modified Pests (View Recorded Presentation)

Dr. Stanton Martin is an NCSU alumnus (2012, Ph.D. in Plant Pathology; 2002, M.Sc. in Bioinformatics) currently employed as a staff scientist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Dr. Martin has a long standing interest in the nexus of information technology and biological sciences, particularly as it relates to data management. Dr. Martin is a proponent of the FAIR principles with regards to data management, and utilizes this framework in the decision making process for the data management group at ORNL. The data management group focuses on utilizing cutting edge sensor and data management technologies to standardize and streamline the acquisition, management, and curation of data on scales ranging from individual genomes, metabolomes, and molecular interactions to entire ecosystems and the biosphere.

Abstract: Food, energy, and medicine are core areas of interest to researchers in the biological sciences. Understanding the interplay between these human endeavors and the environment is a grand challenge of our time. Of particular concern are the effects of climate change on human activities. There is an acute need to understand, and adapt to, the expected changes that weather related issue will have on agriculture, energy policy, and the social contract between citizens and governments in the 21st century. This talk will touch on aspects of these issues with particular emphasis on opportunities that may be available for young scientists at ORAU (Oak Ridge Affiliated Universities) in the coming decade. There will be a brief overview of the issues and time for a Question and Answer/ brainstorming session with participants.

September 29, 2022. Mr. Dylan Dodson. Improving Health In An Urban Community Using GIS Technology (View Recorded Presentation)

Mr. Dylan Dodson, native from Raleigh, NC, earned a B.Sc. in Geographic Information Science at the University of North Carolina Greensboro, and is currently finishing his M.Sc. in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management at NC State University. Mr. Dodson is the CEO of Dodson Development, a company specializing in web development, app development, and geospatial mapping. He also volunteers for A Better Chance For Better Communities (ABC2) as a Chief Innovations Officer.

Abstract: Assessing the walk-ability and bike-ability conditions on Main Street in Scotland Neck, North Carolina. This project breaks down step by step of the planning process on partnering with community organizations to solve an issue, coming up with potential hazard that could be identified during an walk audit, app creation using ArcGIS QuickCapture, data collection, data cleaning, and showing the results process using ArcGIS Web Map App. We had over 20 citizens from the community of Scotland neck volunteer to perform the walk audit. They were able to create their own free account and learn quickly how to collect data. This app was created on ArcGIS QuickCapture. The team specifically designed the app to capture the users geolocation based on the location where the picture was taken of the hazard. The app was also specifically made to track the users path for the road conditions. This allowed the user to select if the condition of the road was Good, Fair, or Poor. This not only made it easy for the volunteers to use the app, it also made it fun.

April 14, 2022. Dr. Danesha Seth Carley. Plan, Plant, and Maintain Beautiful Pollinator Gardens in the South. (View Recorded Presentation)

Dr. Danesha Seth Carley is the Director of the NSF Center for Integrated Pest Management, Director of the Center of Excellence for Regulatory Science in Agriculture, and Associate Professor in the Department of Horticultural Science at North Carolina State University. Her research, academic, and outreach programs focus on Sustainable Managed Landscapes. Her focus is primarily on insect pollinator habitat conservation, how landscapes (gardens, public green space, etc.) can contribute to pollinator protection.

Abstract:  Interested in learning more about how you can help protect pollinators? Do you like to garden, or are you interested in getting more involved in gardening, ESPECIALLY if it can help save bees and butterflies? Would you like to learn more about garden design and how to add plants to your landscape that are bee-friendly? Are you ready for a relaxed and fun presentation that covers all this AND MORE? If you answered yes to any of these questions, plan to tune into my presentation on protecting and promoting pollinators in your landscape.

March 10, 2022. Dr. Bailian Li. NC State University’s Global Engagement and support to address Global Challenges and UN Sustainable Development Goals. (View Recorded Presentation)

Dr. Bailian Li is the Senior Vice Provost for the Office of Global Engagement at NC State. The Office of Global Engagement provides institutional leadership to promote Global Learning for All by providing students, faculty, staff and the communities we serve with the strategic partnerships, global knowledge, cultural understanding, skills and hands-on experiences needed to empower the next generation of global leaders. This presentation will provide an overview of NC State University’s global engagement programs, resources and support to the campus communities to address global challenges and contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

February 10, 2022. Dr. Gavin Poole. You want me to research WHAT?!?

Dr. Gavin Poole is the perfect example of “straying away from your degree”. After earning a PhD in Poultry Science from the University of GA, he entered the private sector, working with small engineering firms making high tech sensors. These companies not only worked for the food and agricultural industries, but also for other entities such as NASA, the FBI, and the medical field. He then went to the USDA to work on “fringe” projects for plant pathologist and epidemiologist, Dr. Tim Gottwald, with their most successful program being the training of dogs to detect diseases in the citrus field. After Dr. Gottwald’s retirement, Dr. Poole joined NCSU and has continued his work with the canine projects, expanding it out of citrus and into other agricultural commodities. (contact: ghpoole@ncsu.edu)

Abstract:  A brief look at the more unusual areas of research that Dr. Poole found himself doing after finishing his PhD program – from entomology, to engineering, and finally ending up with a review of the use of canines to detect disease in the field, and how the introduction of a sensor that is significantly better than the industry standard can be problematic.

January 20, 2022. Dr. Glenn Fowler, Dr. Yu Takeuchi. Initiatives to Address the Increasing Risk to Plant Health from Plant Pests Due to Climate Change. (View Recorded Presentation)

Dr. Glenn Fowler is a risk analyst at USDA APHIS PPQ PPRA and has written numerous plant pest risk assessments and conducted geospatial analyses. Dr. Yu Takeuchi focuses on the analytic tools that PPRA and NCSU Center for Integrated Pest Management (CIPM) are developing to help understand potential climate change impacts on plant pests. She is a senior research scholar at NCSU CIPM and has a background in geospatial analytics and forest entomology.

Abstract:  Climate change could significantly increase the risks to plant health from plant pests. Dr. Fowler will be discussing these risks and some initiatives being conducted by the USDA, the North American Plant Protection Organization, and the International Plant Protection Convention to address them. To address these risks, PPQ PPRA (Plant Pest Risk Analysis) and the NCSU CIPM are developing tools within the Spatial Analytic Framework for Advanced Risk Information Systems (SAFARIS) to help understand potential climate change impacts on plant pests. Dr. Takeuchi will be discussing the development of these tools and how they can be used to assess climate change effects on plant pest phenology and geographic distribution.