Discover Entomology at Texas A&M University

Brad Hopkins with Dr. Teel
Brad Hopkins received first place at
the Eleventh Annual Graduate Student Forum. Standing with Hopkins is Dr.
Pete Teel.

Andy Boswell presenting his research
during the afternoon session of the
forum.

Students Present Award-Winning Research at 11th Annual Graduate Student Forum

Speaking skills are essential in graduate research and in any professional career choice.

And, three graduate students from the Department received top honors for communicating their research results during the 11th annual Graduate Student Forum held August 20.

Brad Hopkins, Karl Roeder and Hsiao-Ling Lu were named the top three presenters during the all-day event.

Hopkins received first place honors for his presentation titled “Resistance to Pyrethroid Insecticides in Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).”

Hopkins is a Ph.D. candidate and a member of Dr. Patricia Pietrantonio's laboratory.

Hopkins' research focuses on pyrethroid resistance management in the bollworm (Helicoverpa zea). From a research standpoint, he has had an opportunity to test new technologies and assess how they perform in the field.

The testing of these new technologies will help Hopkins teach producers how insecticides work and which insecticides will work best in increasing their profits.

The second place award was given to Hsiao-Ling Lu for “Developmental expression pattern and RNA interference of the vitellogenin receptor in fire ant [Solenopsis invicta Buren] queens.”

Lu is currently working on her Ph.D. and also a member of Dr. Pietrantonio's lab.

Master's candidate Karl Roeder received third place for his presentation titled “Lifetime consequences associated with varying macronutrient levels over a single generation for Heliothis virescens.”

Roeder is a member of Dr. Spencer Behmer's lab.

The forum provides students an opportunity to present their research results to their peers and members of the academic community. Students also gain valuable experience in presentation skills needed in their chosen careers.

Students have a total of 15 minutes to present their projects and take questions and answers from the audience. Winners receive a certificate and a cash prize.