At the invitation of Prof. Chen Xuexin, the Deputy Dean of CAB, six young American entomologists visited the Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University on June 3rd and 4th. This visiting group are consist of Jeffery K. Tomberlin, associate professor of Texas A&M University; Meaghan Pimsler, who is a doctor candidate of Prof. Tomberlin, Drs. Mark Eric Benbow and Jennifer Perchal, the assistant professor and research associate of Michigan State University, respectively, Christine J. Picard, assistant professor of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Heather Rose Jordan, research assistant professor of University of Tennessee-Knoxville. In the morning of June 3, they gave a series of seminars in the Institute.
Dr. Mark Eric Benbow mainly studies the following aspects: aquatic entomology, disease and decomposition ecology, microbial-insect interactions. The major content of his lecture is on three areas: microbial and insect community ecology of aquatic ecosystems; ecology of Buruli ulcer disease in West Africa and carrion decomposition and forensic entomology. Dr Heather Rose Jordan vividly shared her research on diversity of Micro-Insect interaction and their applications toward sustainable protein and pest management and microbial contribution on insect nutrition and biodegradation. The third lecturer was Dr Jennifer Pechal with the title of “Fly influence on epinecrotic microbial communities and carrion decomposition”. She described two points of her study: the nature of disease transmission from arthropod pests to humans in peridomestic situations and determining how microbial interactions affect life history traits of forensically important blow flies. Dr Christine J. Picard gave a lecture on “Genetic selection for optimal protein production and biodegradation phenotypes”. Dr Jeffery K. Tomberlin showed his research on “Quorum sensing regulates arthropod behavior”. Dr Tomberlin has studied on forensic science based on principles of evolution and ecology for a long time. He has been extensively recognized in the international academic field. Especially, he has got outstanding achievements by publishing over 70 papers on the authoritative academic journals, such as Annu. Rev. Entomol, Trends Ecol. Evol and so on. His lecture was very interesting, easy understanding and with precise word utilization. What’s more, many students and teachers raise their hand bravely and actively. The last lecturer was presented by Miss Meaghan Pimsler, the doctor candidate, on hher study on “Transcriptomics and sex determination in Chrysomya rufifacies”. About 80 graduate students and several professors of College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Prof. Zhang Chuanxi, Prof. Zhu Zengrong, Prof. Mo Jianchu, Prof. Liu Yinquan and the Prof. Zhang Zhijian of College of Environmental & Resource Sciences attended this seminar. This seminar was chaired by Prof. Zhu Zengrong, the Deputy Director of Institute of Insect Sciences.
Six young American entomologists visited the Laboratories of Institute of Insect Sciences and communicated with the students. These academic exchanges promote the potential reciprocal cooperation between Zhejiang University and Texas A&M University, Michigan State University, Indiana University - Purdue University and University of Tennessee-Knoxville. It will provide more opportunities for the faculty and students in the future bilateral cooperation and exchange.
(Reported by Institute of Insect Sciences)