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Congratulations!

Dr. Mustafa Jibrin was the recipient of the 2025 APS Lafayette Frederick Diversity in Mentoring Award.  As part of this award, Dr. Jibrin will host Daviona Jackson from Langston University as an intern in his laboratory.

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Special Notice

Sincere sympathy is expressed to Dr. Bruce Noden on the death of his mother, Darlene Noden, age 85, who passed away on May 15 in Stillwater.

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Sanborn Entomology Club

The Sanborn Entomology Club elected new officers for 2025-2026 as follows:

 

• Kylie Spradling – President
• Katelyn Wang – Vice President
• Keeta Snell – Treasurer
• David Rosenberg – Secretary
• Meadow Cool – Social Media Manager
• Nikolai Thielepape, Anna Perry, and Cam Dunne – Student Council Representatives

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Necrology

Dr. John C. Palumbo, age 66, passed away peacefully at home in Yuma, Arizona on May 11, 2025, after a long and courageous fight with lung cancer. He was born February 8, 1959, in Phoenix, Arizona, and grew up in Palo Verde, Arizona.  He attended Arizona Western College on a football scholarship and the University of Idaho, and received his B.S. degree in Agricultural Science in 1982 and his M.S. degree in Entomology in 1985 both from the University of Arizona, and his Ph.D. degree in Entomology from OSU in 1989 under the direction of Dr. Scott Fargo.  

 

Dr. Palumbo joined the Department of Entomology at the University of Arizona in August 1990 as a faculty member at the Yuma Agricultural Center.  He was internationally recognized as one of the foremost experts in integrated pest management for desert vegetable crops, and his work made a profound impact in helping growers produce safer, healthier food using fewer pesticides and more sustainable practices. He had served as the State IPM Coordinator and the Arizona State Liaison to the USDA IR-4 Program.

 

John won the Distinguished Achievement Award in Extension from the Entomological Society of America in 2014.  He was the 2011 Faculty Member of the Year at the University of Arizona and first faculty member at the Yuma Agricultural Center to be honored with an Endowed Chair in Integrated Pest Management in 2020.

 

When John was not teaching or in the field, he enjoyed hunting, camping, fishing, and golfing.  He was an avid reader and music lover, and was a self-taught guitarist.  John was a tireless educator, brilliant scientist, and trusted friend.  His generosity, quick wit, and kind spirit were known by all who met him.  John’s smile and presence lit up every room he walked into, and he will be dearly missed by members of multiple communities.

 

He is survived by this wife Kristine Turner Palumbo of 30 years; his mother Joan M. Palumbo; his children Casie Raymond (Gary), Michael Palumbo (Jill), and Rachel Sgroia (Ryan); brothers, Joseph E. Palumbo, James W. Palumbo, and Jeffrey T. Palumbo; and grandchildren Tucker Raymond, Tanner Raymond, John R. Palumbo, and Anthony Sgroia.  He was proceeded in death by his father Joseph A. Palumbo.

 

In lieu of a service, a celebration of John’s life will be held from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. on June 14, at the Yuma Agricultural Center. “When in Doubt, Scout!”

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New Graduate Students

Bigul Thapa Magar is beginning his Ph.D. candidacy with Dr. Meriem Aoun.  His research will focus on strip rust in hard red winter wheat.  Bigul received his B.S. degree in Plant Breeding and Genetics from Tribhuvan University in Kirtipur, Nepal in 2020 and his M.S. in Plant and Soil Sciences from OSU in 2025.

 

Chad Zerr is beginning his M.S. degree with Dr. Wyatt Hoback.  His research will focus on plant insect interactions of chinch bugs and aphids.  Chad received his B.S. degree in Biology and Natural Resources from Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas in 2025.

 

Dakota Serra is beginning his M.S. degree with Dr. Wyatt Hoback.  His research will focus on the arogos skipper, an endangered species of butterfly. Dakota received his B.A. degree in Biology and Environmental Studies from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois in 2025.

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June Birthdays