FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — Pi Chi Omega, the national entomology fraternity is happy to announce the 2016 recipients of the Pi Chi Omega scholarships. Recognizing the need for college educated professionals in the field of urban and industrial pest management, Pi Chi Omega makes available scholarships each year to students majoring in urban and industrial pest management or some closely related plan of study. This year, 4 scholarships were awarded: 1 for $3,000 and 3 for $2,000 each. “The object of our scholarships is to encourage and assist outstanding students to prepare for careers in pest control, said Judy Black, Pi Chi Omega President.
The $3,000 scholarship was awarded to Brittany DeLong Campbell who is currently a PhD Entomology student at the University of Florida, Gainesville. Her dissertation title is “Biology and Control of Two Species of Human Parasitic Bed Bugs: Cimex lectularius Linnaeus and Cimex hemipterus Fabricius.” Ms. Campbell received her Master’s of Life Science(Entomology) degree from Virginia Tech. She has extensive experience giving presentations at scientific meetings, as well as extension presentations.
Also at the University of Florida, Johnalyn Gordon, the only undergraduate scholarship recipient this year, received one of the $2,000 scholarship awards. Ms. Gordon is a Wildlife and Ecology major with a minor in Entomology and Nematology. She has completed an independent research project on a survey of 25b, or “least risk,” pesticides in comparison with common dish soap (a combination of soap salts), and individual salts, including potassium laurate and sodium laurate.
The other 2 recipients of the $2,000 scholarships are both Ph.D. students at North Carolina State University. Michael Fisher is pursuing his Ph.D. in Entomology with a minor in Biotechnology. His dissertation subject is “Microbial diversity of the common bed bug: How the microbiome influences longevity, fitness and vector competence.”
Mr. Fisher holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Iowa State University where he double-majored in Animal Ecology and Entomology. As a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy, he is currently on Duty Under Instruction to pursue his studies full-time.
Angela Sierras, the final $2,000 award recipient is currently a Ph.D. student in Entomology at North Carolina State University. Her dissertation topic is “Evaluation of Ingestible Insecticides on Bed Bugs.” Her primary focus is to evaluate active ingredients that can be incorporated in a novel liquid baiting system. She received her B.S. in Zoology in 2011 from North Carolina State University, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude.
Stephanie Hill, Chairman of the Pi Chi Omega Scholarship Committee, said of the process, “Our committee had a very difficult job choosing the four award recipients from a very qualified pool of 10 applicants. It is a great problem to have . . .seeing this many students pursuing important research in the field of urban and industrial pest control.”
To be eligible, students must be currently enrolled full-time in undergraduate or graduate studies in urban or industrial pest management or a related field. The award is based on: the student being in good academic standing (3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale); and on character, personality, school activities, and professional activities.
Applicants must submit a completed application form; resume or curriculum vitae; an official transcript from the school currently attending; a one page essay describing how their studies, research, and/or work experience will contribute to the urban and industrial pest management industry; two letters of recommendation; and a letter of support from a Pi Chi Omega member.
(Pictured, top left photo: Stephanie Hill (left), Chair of the Pi Chi Omega Scholarship Committee, presents scholarship award checks to Brittany Campbell (center) and Johnalyn Gordon, at the Southeastern Pest Control Conference early in May. Upper right: Angela Sierra. Bottom right: Michael Fisher)
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