Ames, Iowa
May 12, 2004
One is from Illinois. One is from Zimbabwe. One studies
insects, while the other studies plant diseases. Both are new
to the Iowa State University
College of Agriculture. Both will play key roles helping Iowa
producers fight insects and diseases that attack their corn
and soybean fields.
Matthew O'Neal joined the ISU entomology department in
mid-March as an assistant professor. He earned bachelor's and
master's degrees at the University of Illinois and a doctorate
from Michigan State. He welcomed the chance to move further
west in the Corn Belt.
"As an entomologist who focuses on insect pests of field
crops, Iowa is pretty much the center of the universe," O'Neal
says. "Entomology at Iowa State has a rich tradition and is
one of the most active departments in the region. Couple that
with the recent invasion of soybean aphids, and Iowa is a very
exciting place to work towards improving pest management
methods."
Insects that damage soybean plants are the subject of O'Neal's
research efforts. He expects much of his time to be spent on
soybean aphids, but he's also concerned about other soybean
pests such as the bean leaf beetle. "The challenge is to
develop a management program for soybean that can be effective
for both pests," he says.
Although O'Neal's faculty appointment is evenly split between
research and teaching, he will be helping extension
entomologist Marlin Rice and other ISU extension staff during
the summer. "I hope to work as closely with Iowa producers as
possible. The research we conduct needs to be developed
further in an on-farm setting," O'Neal says. "Working with
producers gives me a chance to get feedback on how pests
respond to our management recommendations."
Alison Robertson joined Iowa State's plant pathology
department as an assistant professor May 1. She earned a
bachelor's degree at the University of Natal in South Africa,
where her interest in plant pathology was sparked by a
professor, Frits Rijkenberg. "He once said we are not in this
profession to study sick plants, we are responsible for
keeping them healthy," Robertson says. "That statement formed
the basis for my research philosophy."
Robertson earned a master's degree at the University of
Zimbabwe, and worked as a tobacco extension plant pathologist.
"I worked extensively with growers, diagnosing tobacco
problems and advising them on disease management options.
That's where I developed my love for extension," she says.
Robertson earned a doctorate at Clemson University. "I enjoyed
my time in the laboratory there, but I missed interacting with
extension personnel and growers, and working in the field. I
was interested in this position because it is primarily
extension," she says. Robertson also will develop short- and
long-term research projects that target diseases in Iowa corn
and soybean fields.
By Susan
Thompson, Iowa State University |
