November 17, 2014
Entomology distinguished alum to speak on plant protection in developing nations
Mustapha El-Bouhssini, principal entomologist in the Biodiversity and Integrated Gene Management Program at the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas and a K-State alumnus, has been selected as the 2014 Distinguished Alum for the entomology department.
El-Boussini will present the public seminar "Host Plant Resistance to Insect Pests of Cereals and Food Legumes: Progress Made Over the Past Few Decades in West and Central Asia and North Africa" at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 21, in the K-State Student Union's Room 226. Light refreshments will be served.
El-Bouhssini is a global authority on plant resistance to insects in grains and has worked to develop crop varieties resistant to a variety of important arthropod pests in developing areas of the world. His association with K-State dates back to 1984 when he, as an International Center for Agricultural Research-Morocco staff member, worked on his master's degree with Jimmy Hatchett on resistance in wheat to Hessian fly and its biotypes.
His close linkages with K-State faculty have continued through the years since finishing his master's degree in 1986 and doctorate in 1992; his dissertation was also on Hessian fly. As an adjunct faculty member, El-Bouhssini and his colleagues at K-State work together to strengthen the collaboration between International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas and K-State.