USDA Researchers Recognized For Contributions
June 14, 2013 The USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) recently recognized scientists for their contributions, including Fumiomi Takeda, ARS Appalachian Fruit Research Station, Kearneysville, WV, and partner Richard Barnes, Trellis Growing Systems, Inc., Fort Wayne, IN, for a “superior effort” in technology transfer, with immediate impact. Takeda and Barnes developed a rotating cross-arm trellis and cane training systems for commercial blackberry production.
Barnes and Takeda’s project was recently featured in an article in American Fruit Grower. For more on this research project, click here.
Barnes and Takeda’s recognition was among awards presented to senior research scientists at a ceremony in Beltsville, MD.
Ronald Nachman was named Distinguished Senior Research Scientist of 2012 by ARS for discoveries regarding insect neuropeptides that have opened the door to novel, environmentally sound strategies for controlling some of the most threatening agricultural pests. ARS is the principal intramural scientific research agency of USDA. Nachman is a chemist and senior scientist at the Southern Plains Agricultural Research Center in College Station, TX.
Other area research scientists recognized with impacts on fruit and vegetables are:
- Stewart M. Gray, ARS Biological Integrated Pest Management Unit, Ithaca, NY, for research on insect transmission of viruses, virus epidemiology and virus disease management with reducing insecticide use by identifying disease-carrying aphids
- Karen R. Harris-Shultz, ARS Crop Genetics and Breeding Research Unit, Tifton, GA, for research to identify regions of a plant genome responsible for disease resistance and other desirable traits in the three stages of watermelon ripening.
- Robert R. Kula, ARS Systematic Entomology Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, for systematics research on braconid wasps important to biological control of pest insects and weeds.
- David R. Rudell, ARS Tree Fruit Research Laboratory, Wenatchee, WA, for research improving the understanding of metabolism related to ripening, postharvest physiological disorders and edible quality of apples.
Also announced were the 2012 ARS Technology Transfer Awards for outstanding work in transferring technology to the marketplace.
The VSH Breeding Group, Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics and Physiology Research Laboratory, Baton Rouge, LA, was recognized for identifying a genetic honey bee strain capable of resisting Varroa mites and transferring the trait to bees used by commercial bee breeders for continued pollination of much of the nation’s food supply. The team includes: Robert G. Danka, John R. Harbo (retired) and Jeff Harris; and partners Tom Glenn and Suki Glenn, both of Glenn Apiaries, Fallbrook, CA. The group was recognized for “outstanding effort” in technology transfer, with immediate impact:
To read more on the award presentations, click here.
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