Extension and Outreach

Extension Activities

• On-farm research trials with conventional and organic vegetable growers in North Carolina and South Carolina. Regular meetings and communication with county extension agents and vegetable growers on pest management and on-farm trials. (01/2021-Present ).

• 58th Annual Meeting of the NC Tomato Growers Association Winter Vegetable Conference and Trade Show. Delivered oral talk on “How do differences in vegetable production systems affect insecticide resistance in western flower thrips?”  (01/2026)

• 60th Southeast Vegetable and Fruit Expo, Myrtle Beach, SC. Delivered oral talk on “Management of thrips on tomatoes and peppers.” (12/2025).

• Blue Ridge Community College: Pest Management Course, Mills River, NC (09/2025). Delivered oral talk on “Thrips: Biology, ID, Management options in Fruiting Vegetable Systems.”

• 2025 Vegetable IPM Extension Agents Training “Western Flower Thrips: ID and Insecticide Resistance Management in Vegetable Systems” (08/2025)

• NC State Mountain Horticulture Crops Field Day “Management of western flower thrips in tomato and peppers” (08/2025)

• Southeastern Vegetable Extension Workers Meeting Completed MyIPM Vegetables App training and learned how to update the Southeastern Vegetable Production Handbook (07/2025)

• NC State Graduate Practicum course Overview of entomology research projects for students visiting growers’ fields (06/2025)

• Rural Agricultural Work Experience (RAWE) Completed a one-month training program where I designed surveys to understand the diverse needs and challenges, and used a spectrum of Extension tools, including exhibitions, field demonstrations, expert-led lectures, and awareness campaigns tailored to disseminate vital information to growers

(01/2018-02/2018)

• Farmer Fairs at PAU Volunteered at Farmer Fairs twice a year to learn about growers’ problems and share research-based solutions with them (09/15-04/18) 

Outreach Activities

• Led the entomology lab tour for University of North Carolina-Asheville students to demonstrate insect research techniques and applied IPM work (2025)

• Provided lab overview to Henderson County Teachers, Mills River, NC (2025)

• Presented entomology research overviews to Master Gardeners and Blue Ridge Community College Students, Mills River, NC (2025)

• Represented the Entomology program at the Men of Color National Summit, Greenville, SC (2024)

• Participated in PES-GSA RECs tour to learn research programs, meeting with faculty and graduate students at Clemson University Coastal, Edisto, and Pee Dee Centers (2023)

• Led and represented Entomology Club at Be a T.I.G.E.R Field Day to share Entomology knowledge with kids and the public, Clemson, SC (2023)

• Represented the PES Department at the Fall 2022 Stay A Tiger Graduate Fair at Clemson, SC (2022)

• Assisted Dr. Suellen’s Butterfly Biodiversity Field Trip in butterflies’ collection and identification based on captured pictures at SC Botanical Garden, Clemson, SC (2022)

• Participated and represented the Entomology Club at the ‘Butterfly Festival’ to share butterfly life-cycle knowledge with the public and kids at the South Carolina Botanical Garden, Clemson, SC (2021)

• Hosted a lab booth to educate the public on local insects at the Party for the Planet Event organized at Gladys Porter Zoo, Brownsville, TX (2019)

• Co-designed and hosted a live insect exhibition booth on Annual Monarch Fest at Quinta Mazatlán, McAllen, TX (2019)

• Co-designed and hosted a lab booth with live insect specimens, their hosts, with their detailed life cycles at HESTEC (Hispanic Engineering, Science and Technology Week), UTRGV, TX (2018, 2019)

Leadership Experience

• Co-Chair, International Advocacy Committee, NC State Postdoctoral Association (05/25-Present)

• Member, Social Committee, NC State MHCREC (02/25-Present)

• Student member, ESA-SEB Nomination Committee, and Liaison with Student Affairs Committee (2024-2026)

• Organizer, Member symposium (accepted) at ESA Annual Meeting (2025)

• Co-organizer & Moderator, Symposium at ESA Southeastern Branch meeting (2025)

• Co-organizer & Moderator, Member symposium at ESA Annual Meeting (2024)

• Co-organizer, Mini workshop at ESA Annual Meeting (2024)

• Organizer & Moderator, Member symposium at ESA Annual Meeting (2023)

• Co-organizer, Member symposium at ESA Annual Meeting (2023)

• Entomology Program Senator to the Graduate Student Government (GSG) at Clemson University (05/23-05/24)

• Member of GSG’ Rules & Procedure Committee at Clemson University (09/23-05/24)

• Graduate Student Representative for the South Carolina Entomological Society’s J.H. Cochran Excellence in Entomology Award Committee (05/23-08/24)

• Graduate Student Representative in PES Search and Selection Committee for faculty position (04/23-05/24)

• Member of PES-GSA Professional Development and Social Committees (02/23-01/24)

• Organizer, Workshop on ‘Standout on LinkedIn: Tips and tricks to network and get noticed’, Clemson, SC (2023)

• President of PES Graduate Student Association (PES-GSA) at Clemon University (02/22-01/23)

• Secretary of the PES-GSA at Clemson University (02/21-01/22)

• Member of Clemson University Entomology Club (CUEC) (01/21-12/24)