The Impact of Insecticide Resistance Action Committee (IRAC) International: Key Areas of Focus and Achievement

The Impact of Insecticide Resistance Action Committee (IRAC) International: Key Areas of Focus and Achievement

This episode features Samuel Martinelli, chair of the International Insecticide Resistance Action Committee (IRAC), who presented IRAC's history, key achievements, and future directions. IRAC has become the global authority on mode of action (MoA) classification for insecticides, developing the widely recognized classification system and guidelines that help farmers and advisors manage pesticide resistance. The discussion highlights IRAC's three pillars (MoA classification, guidance/tools development, and global coordination) and outlined their next major initiative: creating a comprehensive resistance database to provide validated, publicly available intelligence on insecticide resistance developments worldwide.

Navigating Alternative Careers: Working for a Startup After Graduating

This episode is hosted by the Early Career Professionals Committee, featuring panelists Dr. Heena Puri, Dr. Mary Wallace, Dr. Swati Mishra, and Miles Maxcer discussing their experiences transitioning directly from graduate programs to roles at agricultural biotech startups focused on innovative pest control solutions like biopesticides and RNA technology. Using a Jurassic Park analogy, they defined startups as high-risk, high-reward ventures with dynamic workloads, limited resources, and opportunities for broad skill-building in fast-paced environments. The discussion covered job-finding strategies, leveraging academic backgrounds, positives like creativity and growth versus challenges like uncertainty, and advice on assessing company health and work-life balance. Hosted by the Early Career Professionals Committee [https://entsoc.org/about/committees/committees] Moderator: Lidia Gual Gonzalez Panelists: Mary Wallace, Swati Mishra, Heena Puri, Miles Maxcer Learn more about our panelists here [https://www.entsoc.org/events/webinars/navigating-alternative-careers]. You can watch the screen recording on our YouTube here [https://www.youtube.com/@entsoc/podcasts].

International Association of Black Entomologists (IABE) Voices: Reputability, Research, and Resilience

This episode is hosted in honor of Black History Month to amplify the voices of International Association of Black Entomologists (IABE) and celebrate excellence, impact, and perseverance within the field of Entomology. The episode will provide attendees with an opportunity to learn about IABE and how its community influences the academic and professional journey of its members. The program features distinguished panelists who will present their research programs, professional accomplishments, alongside personal and professional testimonies of resilience. Hosted by the International Association of Black Entomologists (IABE) [https://www.blackentomologists.org/]. Moderator: Tara-Kay L. Jones Panelist: Dr. Tolu Morawo, Dr. Beatrice N. Dingha Learn more about our panelists here [https://www.entsoc.org/events/webinars/iabe-voices]. You can watch the screen recording on our YouTube here [https://www.youtube.com/@entsoc/podcasts].

Creating Accessible and Engaging Online Courses in Entomology

A lot can change in five years! Although institutions have reverted to in-person teaching following the COVID-19 Pandemic, entomology is increasingly shifting to online classrooms and portals for student learning. With higher demand for online course options, accessibility and engagement in digital classrooms are essential. Hosted by the ESA Formal and Informal Teaching (FIT) Student Subcommittee, join us as invited presenters Adrienne Brundage, Ph.D., and Tonya Shepherd, Ph.D., from the Department of Entomology at Texas A&M University share their experiences, recommendations, and new tools for improving accessibility and engagement in virtual entomology teaching. Hosted by the ESA FIT Pilot Section [https://entsoc.org/membership/sections/fit] Moderators: Shelby Kilpatrick, Victoria Pickens Panelists: Dr. Tonya Shepherd, Dr. Adrienne Brundage Learn more about our panelists here [https://www.entsoc.org/events/webinars/creating-accessible-engaging-courses]. You can find the handout from our panelists mentioned in this discussion here [https://www.entsoc.org/sites/default/files/2026-01/ESA%20FIT%20Webinar%20January%202026%20Handout.pdf], and watch the screen recording on our YouTube here [https://www.youtube.com/@entsoc/podcasts].