Pictures are linked to hi-res scans Brian Nault has been promoted to associate professor in the Department of Entomology at Cornell University's New York State Agricultural Experiment Station at Geneva, NY. Nault has research and extension responsibilities in landscape ecology and management of arthropod pests that attack vegetable crops. Credit: J. Ogrodnick – NYSAES, Cornell University

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 21, 2007
Contact: Linda McCandless
Office: 607-254-5137
E-mail: llm3@cornell.edu

Cornell Entomologist Promoted to Associate Professor
by Joe Ogrodnick

GENEVA, NY: Brian Nault has been promoted to associate professor in the Department of Entomology at Cornell University's New York State Agricultural Experiment Station at Geneva, NY. Nault has research and extension responsibilities in landscape ecology and management of arthropod pests that attack vegetable crops.

"Brian has been described as one of the best young entomologists on vegetable crops in the country," said Wendell Roelofs, professor and department chairman. "He has developed a program that addresses the basic ecological problems of pest dynamics in vegetables and is a great ambassador in extension to the various clientele that we serve."

Nault's current research projects include ecology and management of onion maggot and onion thrips-a tiny winged insect-with a new emphasis on understanding the impact and spread of the onion thrips-transmitted iris yellow spot virus in onion fields.

"Other current and future projects include managing a variety of insect pests of onion, snap bean, dry bean, and cucurbits using insecticide seed treatments, and examining the potential of plant-growth promoting rhizobacteria and natural enemies for managing green peach aphid infestations in pepper," Nault said.

Within the broad area of landscape ecology, Nault's research has focused on understanding the dispersal of insects that attack vegetable crops including those that transmit viruses.

"New information about insect dispersal should significantly improve our ability to develop cost effective, durable, and environmentally sound vegetable insect pest management strategies and approaches for managing insect-transmitted viruses," said Nault. "Advancements in understanding insect dispersal to develop management strategies require knowledge of the pest's life history and the vegetable production system within the agro-ecosystem."

Nault received a B.S. in 1988 from Ohio State University, an M.S. in 1990 from the University of Georgia, Athens, and his Ph.D. in 1994 from North Carolina State University. All three degrees were in entomology. He was hired by Cornell as an assistant professor in 2001.

Nault is a member of the Entomological Society of America, the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the Georgia Entomological Society. He currently serves as subject editor for the Journal of Entomological Science.
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