Congratulations to the recipients of the Spring 26 Ernest N. Cory Undergraduate Scholarship, recognized for their extraordinary efforts in Entomology.
Tara Dinh, Agricultural Science and Technology Major, has been working with Dr. Ana Cristina Fulladolsa in the Plant Diagnostics lab since Spring 2025. Tara supports hands-on diagnostics, including identifying bacteria, fungi, oomycetes, basidiomycetes, viruses, and nematodes. In addition, Tara contributes to UMD Extension’s IPM Reports - a circulation that shares diagnostic and management tips for plant diseases like, Cytospora Canker, with the broader Maryland community. Tara is pictured here identifying fungus in the lab.
Amy Goodman, Biological Sciences: Ecology and Evolution major, has been working with Entomology since summer 2024. First working with the Hooks lab asking how a clover living mulch interplanted with cantaloupe affected ground-dwelling natural enemy activity density in the treatment plots compared to the controls. Now she is in the Lamp Lab diving deep into her honors research asking, "Is Straw Addition an Effective Management Strategy to Increase Odonata Abundance and Diversity Within Farm Ponds?” Amy is pictured here at one of her research sites.
X Hafer, Bioengineering Major, has been working with the St. Leger lab since 2023 helping with insect assays, studies on disease progression in Drosophila and Manduca caterpillars, and maintaining insects and fungal culture stocks. Over the last year X has been working on his own research project studying the biocontrol capabilities of Metarhizium and Trichoderma species, particularly their ability to inhibit important plant pathogens such as Botrytis cinerea and Fusarium solani. X is pictured here working with his mentor, Ray in the lab.
El Simon, Environmental Science and Policy Major, has been working with the Gruner lab since 2023, taking a small leave from the lab to learn to safely handle venomous snakes in Australia. In the lab, El helps track ash distribution and growth across Maryland, determine the spread of emerald ash borer (EAB) parasitoids, and identify arthropods and small mammals for bluebird and owl diet research. El is pictured here debarking ash to monitor for EAB larvae.
