November 27, 2023
Buzzing with pride: Epic triumphs at the national entomology 2023 event
Submitted by Department of Entomology
K-State entomology students, research staff and faculty attended this year's Entomological Society of America National Meeting in National Harbor, Maryland, and gave seminars and poster presentations. The department received several awards, competed against other universities and proved to be a fierce force to behold at the national scale.
During the event, Hannah Quellhorst was awarded the Student Activity Award and the John Henry Comstock Award. These awards recognize and distinguish exceptional professionals and students for their outstanding contributions to the field.
Additionally, two students placed first in the graduate student poster competition: Victoria Pickens in the Graduate MUVE: Vector Control and Surveillance category and Sabita Ranabhat in the Graduate PBT: Ecology category. Jaden R. Reed placed second in the undergraduate student poster competition's Undergraduate P-IE: Behavior, Education, and Outreach category. Lastly, Ranabhat received an Outstanding Leadership Award for serving as president of the Society of Overseas Nepalese Entomologists.
The Entomology Games Team — Festus Ajibefun, Rachel Johnson, Brandon Hall and Dani Otten, with alternates Gus Brunette and Nikki Kucherov, coached by Gregory Zolnerowich — went head-to-head with other teams in insect and related arthropod trivia. The team placed second overall.
The debate team — Navi Balthazor, Hazel Scribner, Rupinder Singh, Rachel Johnson and Chip Markwardt, coached by Kristopher Silver — participated in a fast-paced debate and will have their work published in the American Entomologist, the official publication of the Entomological Society of America.
The Entomology Academic Teams are always looking for new members. Contact either team captain to learn more.
Students looking for leadership and professional development can serve on Entomological Society of America's Student Affairs Committee. The committee publishes the annual student debates mentioned earlier, provides oversight on the student sections of the Entomological Society of America website, and coordinates other special projects. Jacqueline Maille and Pickens served on last year's committee as vice president and president, respectively. Now, Maille serves as the current president.
Contact entomology@k-state.edu if you're interested in being a part of our hive.