Oct. 12, 2011
DAVIS--Michael Parrella, professor and chair of the UC Davis Department of Entomology, with a joint appointment in the Department of Plant Sciences, is the recipient of the Entomological Society of America's Distinguished Achievement Award in Horticultural Entomology.
The award, sponsored by Gowan Company, singles out an entomologist who has contributed greatly to the American horticulture industry.
Parrella will receive the award at the 59th Annual ESA Meeting, set Nov. 13-16 in Reno. This includes a cash prize and a plaque.
Parrella served as an associate dean in the UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences for 10 years.
A native of Elizabeth, N.J., he received his master’s and doctorate degrees in entomology from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. He joined the UC Davis faculty in 1989. In his 30-year career, Parrella has developed an internationally recognized program focused on advancing integrated pest management and biological control for the floriculture and nursery industry.
A Fellow of ESA and past president of the Pacific Branch, Parrella represents the Branch on the ESA Governing Board. Among his awards: ESA’s Recognition Award; inductee into the California Floriculture Hall of Fame; the Emma Lausten Horticulture Award from Rutgers University; the Virginia Tech Distinguished Alumni Award; the Alex Laurie Research Award from the Society of American Florists; and the Futura Research and Education Award from the Professional Plant Growers Association.
He has served on USDA/CSREES review panels for the Departments of Entomology at six universities. He helped draft the document that led to the USDA-ARS Floriculture and Nursery Research Initiative. He has been western regional administrator for the USDA IR-4 program for the past 10 years, a pest management consultant to the American Floral Endowment, and UC liaison to the California Cut Flower Commission and the California Association of Nurserymen.
Parrella is the author of more than 375 publications and serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Environmental Horticulture. He lectures all over the world.
--Kathy Keatley Garvey
Communications specialist
UC Davis Department of Entomology
(530) 754-6894