K-State entomology: Regional excellence and student success
Friday, May 16, 2025
Student award recipients at the North Central Branch Meeting of the Entomological Society of America.
The K-State entomology department recently swarmed to Lincoln, Nebraska, for the North Central Branch Meeting of the Entomological Society of America, or ESA. With more than 7,000 members worldwide, the society provides students with valuable opportunities for professional development and networking. The department had a significant turnout from students, researchers and professionals.
Over the course of the conference, K-State and its collaborators gave 30 presentations, including more than 15 from undergraduate and graduate students and an equal number from other department community members. See the full program PDF for full details.
Among the presentations, multiple K-State student presenters received awards:
- Kylie Mac Ewen placed second for her undergraduate research poster, "Characterizing the properties of silver nanoparticles synthesized using honey as a green reducing agent."
- Kaitlin Schieuer placed third for her master's research poster, "Pests, predators, and pollinators, oh my! Insect diversity and abundance across urban and rural market farms."
- Jacqueline Abarca-Duran placed third in the doctoral division for her research poster, "Early detection of and understanding the molecular basis for phosphine resistance in Tribolium castaneum."
- Rupinder Singh placed second for his 10-minute presentation on his doctoral research, "Impact of sorghum polyphenolics on insecticidal susceptibility of lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae)."
Every year, ESA hosts the Entomology Games, providing an opportunity for student teams from different universities to compete in a college bowl-style contest to test their knowledge of entomology facts, with the top two teams from each branch division advancing to the national competition. The K-State Entomology Academic Team, comprising Brandon Hall, Festus Ajibefun, Gus Brunette and Navi Balthazor, under the guidance of coach Greg Zolnerowich, secured second place. This achievement qualifies K-State to compete at the national competition at the upcoming Entomology 2025 conference in Portland, Oregon.
Sabita Ranabhat '24 received the John Henry Comstock Award, the society's highest honor for a graduate student, recognizing her contributions to entomology. This prestigious award is given to only one outstanding graduate student per branch division and includes an all-expenses-paid trip to the society's national meeting, a $500 cash prize and a certificate of recognition.
Additionally, Jacqueline Maille, co-advised by entomology professor Kun Yan Zhu and adjunct professor Rob Morrison with the USDA, won the prestigious and competitive North Central Branch Student Graduate Scholarship. This honors a student for their coursework and research culminating in scholarship.
Maille, who serves on the ESA NCB Student Affairs Committee, also co-organized a branchwide networking event called Parasitoid Games. Based loosely on the popular campus game Humans vs Zombies, everyone who participates acts as a "parasitoid" and a potential "host" for other players as a networking icebreaker. The goal is to stick stickers on unsuspecting players to score points, with recognition for those with highest scores at the end of the conference. Abhinash Boddepalli, entomology graduate student, was recognized as Best Parasitoid in the Parasitoid Games.
"Being involved with ESA has significantly contributed to my professional development," said Victoria Pickens, doctoral candidate in entomology. "When I was an undergraduate, attending branch meetings allowed me to begin building a strong network of friends, mentors and colleagues, while also developing key professional skills that continue to support my career growth."
Pickens has held leadership roles at the national level, including serving in the Medical, Urban, and Veterinary Entomology Section, chairing the Student Affairs Committee, and contributing to the Formal and Informal Teaching Pilot Section. She said the roles have provided invaluable experience in team management, event coordination, community outreach and advocacy.
To stay in the loop about all the buzz-worthy happenings at the entomology department, follow the department on Facebook, X or Instagram at @KStateEntom.