September 23, 1999 : Insects as Key Instruments in the Advancement of Science

Every introductory entomology class proclaims the importance of insects to human society. Equally important, insects have been model systems for studying molecular biology, evolutionary ecology, and conservation biology. The contributions made by entomology to each of these areas of research interest will discussed by three internationally recognized scientists.

1. Max Summers (Distinguished Professor, Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-2475. Email: m-summers@tamu.edu)
2. H. Charles J. Godfray (Professor, Department of Biology, Imperial College, University of London, Silwood Park, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 7PY, England. E-Mail c.godfray@imperial.ac.uk)
3. Michael J. Samways (Professor of Entomology, Director of Invertebrate Conservation Research Centre, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg Campus, Scottsville 3209, South Africa. Email: samways@zoology.unp.ac.za )

• October 14, 1999: A Look to the 21st Century – The Future of Entomological ResearchThe future of entomological research resides in the minds of its young scientists. Three entomologists in the early stages of their research careers will lay out their views of the future in terms of the challenges that lay ahead for scientists interested in the fundamental biology of insects as well as its application to real world problems.

1. Craig Coates (Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-2475. Email: c-coates@tamu.edu .) Molecular Sciences.
2. Patricia Pietrantonio (Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-2475. Email: ppietran@tamu.edu ) Toxicology/Physiology.
3. Kevin M. Heinz (Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-2475. Email: kmheinz@tamu.edu ). Pest Management.

• October 21, 1999: Industrial Partnerships – The Challenges and Rewards of Collaborations between an Entomology Department and Industry.Academic departments within universities provide cutting-edge expertise in the sciences. Frequently research interests are suitable for partnerships or collaboration with interested industrial or academic organizations. Specialized and sometimes unique technologies, facilities and capabilities may be generated from such partnerships, and these may lead to patents and licensing agreements that may ultimately benefit the general public. How may such collaborations be optimized to benefit all participants? What are the characteristics of beneficial collaborations and those associated with one-sided collaborations? Several different types of potential or real university-industry collaborative efforts are examined in an attempt to answer these questions.

1. Sinthya Penn (Owner/President, Beneficial Insectary, 14751 Oak Run Rd., Oak Run CA 96069. Email: sinthya@insectary.com ) Development of Biological Control: Do Economics and Biology Possess Similar Goals?
2. Bill McCutchen (Program Leader of Insect Biotechnology Unit, DuPont Ag Products, Stine-Haskell Research Center, P.O. Box 30, Elkton Road, Newark, DE 19714. Email: bill.f.mccutchen@usa.dupont.com )
3. Gale Smith (Senior Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer, Protein Sciences Corporation, 1000 Research Parkway, Meriden, CT 06450. Email: gailsmith@proteinsciences.com )

• November 4, 1999: Entomology From a Global Perspective – How Problems of Worldwide Importance May be Addressed.Insects are impervious to politically-based geographic boundaries. Frequently, a pest of one country soon enters others, and solutions to insect problems in one area are applicable to other areas. The tremendous abundance and distribution of insects and the varied adaptations to almost every ecological situation has facilitated global collaborations among entomologists and allied scientists to solve problems of worldwide importance. Examples associated with agriculture and medicine will be examined to identify key factors to developing effective global perspectives.

1. N.E. Borlaug (Distinguished Professor, Soil & Crop Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-2474. Email: g-kurten@tamu.edu )
2. Hans R Herren (Recipient of 1995 World Food Prize – Director General, The International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology, P.O. Box 30772, Nairobi, Kenya. Email: icipe@cgnet.com or icipe@africaonline.co.ke )
3. Barry J. Beaty (Professor, Department of Microbiology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523. Email: barry.beaty@colostate.edu ) – A global perspective of insect transmitted diseases.

• November 18, 1999: Moving From the Lab Bench to End-User: Development and Delivery of Science-Based Products and Programs to the Public. (Should not focus only on IPM but have a much broader focus)Basic research seeks to extend the boundaries of knowledge, while applied research is concerned with assisting managers to make better decisions. Hence, not all basic research is likely to be of concern to a manager attempting to solve a problem. But in those cases where each dimension of science contributes to the other, what are the best methods of moving scientific knowledge to the end user? How may basic research best serve problem solving and vice versa? How should limited research funds be allocated? What are the factors are necessary for effective delivery of science-based products and programs to the public? Three scientists who have made a living dealing with such question will discuss their experiences.

1. Tom Fuchs (Professor and Extension Entomologist, Texas A&M Agricultural Research and Extension Center, 7887 North Highway 87, San Angelo, TX 76901. Email: t-fuchs@tamu.edu )
2. Frank Zalom (Director, Statewide Integrated Pest Management Project, 2111 Wickson Hall, University of California, Davis, CA 95616. Email: fgzalom@ucdavis.edu .
3. Jim Tette (IPM Coordinator, NYSAES, Cornell University, Geneva, NY 14456. Email: jpt1@cornell.edu or jpt1@nysaes.cornell.edu )