News from TTA

Hello Tennessee! My name is Midhula Gireesh and I have recently been hired as a faculty member in the Entomology and Plant Pathology Department at The University of Tennessee. As an Extension Entomologist, I will be involved in diagnosing and managing arthropod pests of ornamental plants, nursery plants, and turfgrass. I am looking forward to meeting as many of you as possible during my initial months in this position. My official start date is June 1, 2023, and will be based at the Soil, Plant, and Pest Center in Nashville.

Until we get to meet in person, here is a little of my background. I grew up in Kerala, a southwestern coastal state of India, which is known as “God’s Own Country” for its natural beauty and vibrant culture. During high school days, the concept of “hybridization” taught in a biology class grabbed my attention. Moreover, I was curious to learn about plants. This compelled me to take a double major in Botany and Biotechnology for pursuing my BS. For my post-graduate studies, I chose MS in Genomic Science, which deals with the advancements in genomics and genetics. After completing Bachelors and Masters from India, I moved to the US to pursue my doctoral degree in Entomology at the University of Georgia in 2018.

During my doctoral program, I was exposed to the world of insects and agriculture and took a 180° turn in my career goals. My doctoral research involved developing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies for hunting billbugs in the turfgrass production (sod) farms of central Georgia. My initial research goals were to record the major billbug species, their seasonal occurrence, abundance, and movement activity in the turfgrass. Later, my research focused on determining the influence of abiotic factors on the movement of hunting billbugs under field, semi-field, lab conditions and the spatial distribution of hunting billbugs. Ultimately, the aim was to improve the sampling plan and develop an IPM strategy for hunting billbug problems in sod farms. Additionally, I have conducted a survey to determine the major turfgrass pests and current management practices adopted by golf course superintendents and sod producers.

Soon after my graduation, I received the opportunity to work as postdoctoral research associate at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, University of Florida. In September 2021, I joined the Small Fruit Entomology lab where my research focused on developing integrated pest management strategies for thrips pests of strawberry in Florida. My applied research involved manipulation of available management strategies including cultural control, biological control, and chemical control to suppress chilli thrips ( Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood) and twospotted spider mites ( Tetranychus urticae Koch) populations in conventional and organic strawberry fields. Besides research responsibilities, I have utilized opportunities to foster my skills in extension through face-to-face interaction with growers, field visits, extension meetings, presentation, and publications. I have been an active member of the Entomological Society of America since 2019. Music and tea are my favorite stressbusters. In my free time, I love to sing while having the perfect cup of tea. Also, I catch up with my family and friends back home, and I enjoy cooking.

When I arrive in Nashville in June, I am looking forward to meeting with Green Industry professionals to identify your specific IPM needs. Once specific IPM needs are identified, I will be integrating my academic knowledge and research expertise to study various aspects of IPM. I truly believe in face-to-face interactions with the growers and will arrange as many farm visits as possible and work closely with the county Extension agents. My broader interests are to conduct problem-solving research that eventually develops into an effective, sustainable IPM program while benefiting Tennessee’s clientele. Through collaboration with turf, ornamental and nursery specialists and industrial partners, I will make sure that all clientele have access to and benefit from my research and extension program.

From my experience in UF IFAS, and before that in Georgia, I believe that identifying specific needs from the grower is critical in developing a successful program. Through my doctoral and postdoctoral programs, I have had the opportunity to collaborate with entomologists, horticulturists, sod producers, golf course superintendents, strawberry growers, and industries. I believe these experiences will be valuable in developing insect management programs, and I hope to utilize my skills and expertise as an extension entomologist serving the needs of the nursery, ornamentals and turfgrass industries in Tennessee.

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Hello, Tennessee! I am excited to introduce myself as a newly appointed faculty member of the Entomology and Plant Pathology Department at The University of Tennessee. My name is Nar Ranabhat, and I will be serving as an Extension Plant Pathologist specializing in disease management of landscape plants, nursery plants and turf. I begin at UT on July 1 and I will be based at the UT Soil, Plant, and Pest Center in Nashville. I am eager to meet with all of you during my initial months and to learn about your businesses, production systems, and disease problems. I look forward to working with you in the upcoming growing season.

Prior to the official start date, I would like to share a little bit about of my academic background with readers of “Tennessee Greentimes” and “Tennessee Turfgrass” magazines. My passion for plant pathology was ignited during a school trip to the breathtaking Rhododendron Forest in the mountains of my hometown, Pokhara, Nepal. While on this trip, my high school teacher spoke to us about the importance of protecting these stunning flowers from pests and pathogens.

Before coming to the USA, I studied the many benefits that insects provide. As an undergraduate student, I conducted a survey of pests and predators of honeybees. After graduating, I taught for a few years and then moved to the University of Hohenheim in Stuttgart, Germany where I worked on a research project exploring the suitability of pollen as an alternative food for predatory mites, which are biocontrol agents of small arthropods such as spider mites and thrips, in high-value ornamental crop systems.

I began my career in the field of plant pathology at Montana State University (MSU), where I earned my master’s degree. My research projects focused on utilizing integrated management practices to manage viral and fungal pathogens, such as Rhizoctonia, Fusarium, Pythium, and Sclerotinia, which also cause major diseases in turf. During my time at MSU, I conducted on-farm studies with local growers, which provided opportunities to interact with them and share our research findings during field days.

Later, I pursued my doctoral degree at Kansas State University (KSU), where I delved into using advanced pathogen identification tools to identify wheat viral pathogens. These viruses have a complex disease cycle, can live in grassy alternative hosts, and are transmitted by mites, making viruses difficult to manage. Accurate identification helps developing disease resistant varieties. I collaborated with multi-state breeders and private companies to develop disease-resistant wheat varieties that would yield better under Kansas growing conditions. During my post-doctoral research at KSU, my research has been focused on the development of advanced tools to accurately identify bacterial pathogens both in field conditions and in the lab. These advanced diagnostic techniques can be used to identify diseases of great importance to the Tennessee Green Industry.

When I arrive in Tennessee, I am looking forward to learning about the diseases that challenge your production systems. During my initial months, I will closely work with growers and county extension agents and plan to conduct a needs assessment to prioritize extension and research program efforts. I will initiate collaborative research of the major diseases problems and share research results with stakeholders to provide them with options.

I am excited about the opportunities to work with nursery growers and landscape industries on plant disease management, and I look forward to knowing you and your high-risk pathogen(s). Together we will find solutions that fit with your production system. Stay tuned for more updates, and I cannot wait to meet you all!