Insect Pathology

Dr. Nemat Keyhani is a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, USA. He received his PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Johns Hopkins University. His primary research interests include the biology of fungal genetics and communication between insects. Currently, Keyhani explores behaviors in the fire ant. He serves on the editorial boards for multiple journals, including Pathogens and Applied Microbiology & Biotechnology. Dr. Amr Mohamed is a Distinguished Professor of Molecular Sciences and Applied Entomology at Cairo University and a Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society (FRES). His research integrates insect biochemistry, molecular physiology, and applied entomology, with particular emphasis on insect immunity, biopesticides, and molecular mechanisms of stress and resistance. Dr. Mohamed serves on the editorial boards of several international journals and has extensive experience in academic publishing, international collaboration, and graduate supervision. Dr. Denny Bruck is an agricultural scientist with over 25 years of research experience. I have worked in a wide variety of crop production systems (wine grapes, small fruits, ornamentals, glasshouse, maize, soybean, cotton, tree nuts) conducting original investigative research with collaborators from around the world. I also have extensive experience working closely with growers conducting both collaborative on-farm research and transferring knowledge to them to improve their production systems and profitability. From 2001 to 2012 I was a Research Entomologist with the USDA-ARS in Corvallis, Oregon where my research program focused on developing new concepts fundamental to understanding the biology of diseases of arthropod pests and to advance control strategies that involved reduced use of chemical pesticides and increased use of biological, microbial, and cultural controls. My research was focused on understanding how microbial communities form and interact to achieve biological control, developing techniques for establishing, conserving, augmenting, and manipulating microbial communities as well as understanding entomopathogen etiology and how it relates to insect management. My collaborators and I were awarded over $6.8 million in competitive grant funding. I published over 45 peer-reviewed manuscripts and several book chapters.

I am currently with Corteva Agriscience (2012-present) where I lead a multi-disciplinary team responsible for early-stage characterization of novel insect and herbicide traits in corn, soybeans, and cotton. Our team works cross-functionally within Corteva's Biotechnology organization and with our colleagues in both Seed Product Development and Farming Solutions and Digital to develop the next generation of commercial biotech products for our customers around the world. Additionally, I currently serve on the Advisory Board for the Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council, whose mission is increasing interest and achievement in STEM studies and careers through partnerships engaging preK-12 students, parents, educators, employers, non-profits, policy leaders, and others.