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March 23, 2018

Posted by entomology.office | April 13, 2018

 

Department Announcements 

Mark your calendars to attend the E. Paul Catts Lecture events on April 19 & 20, 2018.  This year’s speaker is, Dr. Rufus Isaacs. He is a faculty member in the Entomology Department at Michigan State University. The public lecture will be on Thursday, April 19, 2018, 5-6:30 PM at the 1912 Center (333 N. Jackson St, in Moscow, ID).  The dinner will be at 6:30 at the Hunga Dunga Brewing Company (412 E. 3rd St. in Moscow, ID). Tickets for the dinner may be purchased by going here: https://store.entomology.cahnrs.wsu.edu/e-paul-catts-dinner-registration. Dr. Isaacs will be giving a scientific talk on Friday, April 20, 2018, at 11:00 AM in FSHN T101.  To learn more about Dr. Isaack go to:  http://www.canr.msu.edu/people/rufus_isaacs. We hope to see you there.  See that attached flyer for more info.

Congratulations to Megan Asche will be giving her MS seminar successfully passed her final exam on Wednesday, March 21, 2018.

At the CAHNRS Honors event on March 22, 2018 Beekeepers Erick and Sue Olsen were recognized for their very generous gifts to the Entomology Department’s Apiculture program and to other WSU programs.  This is an honor very well deserved

Did you know that Entomology has a new online store where all our products and services are going to be available for sale by credit card: https://store.entomology.cahnrs.wsu.edu/.

The 2018 Honey Bee Rearing and Bee Breeding Workshops will be on June 15th & 15th on the Pullman Campus.  Instructors will be Susan Cobey, Jennifer Han, Brandon Hopkins, Melanie Kirby, Tim Lawrence, Nick Naeger and Steve Sheppard. We will also have an outstanding guest speaker from abroad, Jeri Wright from UK to discuss bee nutrition and Gennaro Di Prisco from Italy to present his breeding project in Italy.  Ready to take beekeeping to the next level? For those of you who already have a working foundation in beekeeping, the WSU bee team is offering an event to introduce you to fundamental tools for stock improvement.  The Honey Bee Rearing workshop is designed to improve your understanding of queen rearing, bee breeding systems and selection methods though a combination of presentations and hands-on demonstrations. The Bee Breeding Workshop will also introduce you to the more advanced techniques of instrumental insemination and cryopreservation.  For more information and to register go to:  http://bees.wsu.edu/queen-rearing-and-bee-breeding-workshop/.

Upcoming student seminars and exams:

Alix Whitener will be giving her PhD seminar and taking her final exam on Monday, March 26, 2017, beginning with the seminar at 12:10 PM followed by her Final Exam in FSHN 164.  Her thesis is titled “Behavior and Integrated Pest Management of Drosophila Suzukii (Diptera:Drosophilidae) in Washington State Sweet Cherry. Here committee members are Betsy Beers, Laura Lavine, David Crowder and Allan Felsot.

James Hepler’s PhD Preliminary Exam is scheduled for March 27, 2018 at 12:00 PM.

Abigail Cohen’s PhD Preliminary Exam is scheduled for April 18, 2018 at 12:00 PM.

University Announcements

Be aware that WSU Departments will no longer be doing the Van Driver Training for it’s employees.  The Risk Management program and Human Resource Services will be doing all training.  This will ensure that those driving university vans are given the most up-to-date information and be in compliance with the State of Washington requirements.  Those taking the training need to get a driving record abstract from the Department of Licensing. This can be done on-line at http://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/requestyourrecord.html.    Pam Merryweather is the instructor for the Coaching the Van Driver Training.  In this training program you will learn about conducting a vehicle inspection, safe driving skills and driving environments. Additional driving concerns and collision reporting procedures are also discussed. This program is highly recommended for all drivers of WSU cargo or passenger vans, and is required if you plan to rent a full-sized van from Motor Pool. Training must be repeated at least every two years. Upcoming dates for the trainings are:  April 4, May 3, June 7, July 5. August 2, 2018.   Go here to register for the training: http://hrs.wsu.edu/ and click on the training  link https://hrs.wsu.edu/training/ then  log-in to the WSU’s  Training website. On the left-hand side under “Upcoming Events” select, “Instructor Led Training,” then “Session Schedule.” At this screen you can view the list of offerings by date, or click on “Course Title” to see the list alphabetically with the training dates.  Click on the Actions link and select Enroll in the Session.

Because we have a number of summer employees for the field season Pam is willing to do a special session for the Entomology Department.  We will need to set a day and time for a group.  All trainings will be at the Risk Management Office.

The Molecular Plant Sciences Grad Student Organization is hosting a   Plant Science Day on Saturday, March 24 at 11:00-2:00 PM at the WSU Pullman Campus at the Vogel Plant Science Building 1st floor.  This is a Kid’s Hands-on Science  Activity Day.  Participants will make liquid nitrogen ice cream, and get to extract DNA from plants.

The 2nd Annual WSU Plant Science Symposium:  Diversity in Agriculture: Faces of Plant Science – Friday, March 30, 2018 , at the  Ensminger Pavillion, WSU Pullman.  Registration is free, including light breakfast, lunch, and social mixer. Industry and international scientists will speak on topics including crop diversity, pest resistance, plant biotechnology, and career migration. Diversity is inherent to plant breeding, not only in the germplasm and environments we study, but also regarding the people, techniques, and ideas. If you were not able to attend this symposium you can register to watch the live-stream of the entire event from the comfort of your own desk.  Don’t miss out on hearing from this incredible group of speakers!  Register at http://plantsciencesymposium.wsu.edu/registration/.  For more information about the speakers and the program go to http://plantsciencesymposium.wsu.edu/speakers/ and http://plantsciencesymposium.wsu.edu/program/.

WSU Printing is offering special pricing for posters for the WSU Showcase on March 29th and SURCA event on April 2, 2018.  To get the special pricing mention the code:  SURCA30 is 30% below the regular costs.

APAC’s Spring Professional Development Seminars: The professional development seminars offer a range of training opportunities for WSU staff and faculty. We encourage you to attend.
Please click on the event links below to register.

  • May 2 3:30–5:00 PM                    Proven Keys to Career Building & Recovering from Self Inflicted Wounds,  Mike Worthy, Regent, Washington State University
  • May 17 TBA Servant                       Leadership

Robin Blanchard, CEO of Blanchard Consulting LLC

AMS sites will be scheduled.   Sponsored by the Office of the President.

 

Employment

Assistant Professor (Grain Forage, Commercial Turf Entomology), Auburn Univ., Auburn, AL

Extension Associate, Oklahoma State Univ., Stillwater, OK

Extension Educator (Horticulture), Penn St. Extension

Assistant/Associate Professor-Medical Entomology, Extension, Univ of Florida, Vero, FL

Research Assistant Scientist, Univ. of Florida Medical Entomology Lab., Indian River, FL

If you know of any undergraduates that may be looking for a summer job working with honey bees and at a Farmer’s Market, please share this information with them:  I have a small honey and beekeeping business in Seattle, and am looking for an employee for the summer.  The main job would be running our farmer’s market booth in the University District, but I’d love to find someone who would also be interested in working with the bees.  The beekeeping side would vary significantly based on the person.  If you have anyone who’s going to be in the Seattle area this summer and is looking for 8-12 hrs/week of work, I’d love to talk to them.  You can find the job description here.  I can be flexible with the start and end dates, and potentially with some vacation time as well. Peter Nolte,  Beekeeper/Owner,  Rainy Day Bees.

 

Safety

If you supervise the work of others, plan to take an upcoming “Supervisor as Safety Manager” Training. For more information and to register go to: https://wsu.skillport.com/skillportfe/main.action#summary/ILT/CDE$27427:_ss_ilt:scwsu/ilt_wsu_MGMT_334. The next session is April 18 – I hope to see you there.  Additionally, WSU is offering “Hostile Intruder Training” April 25 and July 25. Register here: https://wsu.skillport.com/skillportfe/main.action#summary/ILT/CDE$34396:_ss_ilt:scwsu/ilt_wsu_SFTY_637   March marks Workplace Eye Wellness Month and National Poison Prevention Week. As I have opportunity to walk through the many and varied workplaces that make up CAHNRS, it is apparent that eye protection and poison prevention are indeed important topics.

  • Safety glasses, goggles, helmets, and face shields can protect employees from the hazards of flying fragments, large chips, hot sparks, and splashes, as well as particles, sand, dirt, mists, dusts, and glare. If you need eye protection, le t your supervisor know!
  • Some poisons may be harmful if they come into direct contact with your eyes or skin. Others may be toxic if you breathe or swallow them. Poisons can be solids, liquids, sprays and gases. You may encounter poison ivy or oak, mistake edible berries for poisonous ones, or be exposed to carbon monoxide from using gasoline or diesel powered tools, etc. A poison is anything that can harm someone if it is used in the wrong way, used by the wrong person, or used in the wrong amount.  If an accident happens with chemicals, medicine or household items, call the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 for help from a local poison expert.