Harry Kaya Named Fellow of Entomological Society of America

Oct. 5, 2007
Sidebar on Other 2007 ESA Honors; UC Davis Connections
List of ESA Fellows from UC Davis Since Inception in 1930s

Harry Kaya

DAVIS—Harry Kaya, professor of entomology and nematology at the University of California, Davis, has been named a Fellow of the Entomological Society of America (ESA) for his contributions to insect pathology and insect nematology.

He will receive the award at ESA’s annual meeting, Dec. 9-12 in San Diego. 

Kaya is internationally known for his contributions to insect pathology and insect nematology, which include more than 220 peer-reviewed publications on insect nematode behavior and ecology, microbial control of soil insects, and interactions between insect pathogens and other natural enemies. He also co-authored an insect pathology book and co-edited five books on invertebrate pathology, insect nematology, and forestry.

“We are very pleased with this well-deserved international recognition for Harry,” said Walter Leal, professor and chair of the Department of Entomology. “Harry is carrying on a tradition of excellence and commitment that began here in 1947 when Richard Bohart was named an ESA Fellow. Now, eight of our UC Davis entomology faculty have received this coveted honor.”

“This is one of the most prestigious awards the society makes,” said colleague Lynn Lebeck, an entomologist formerly with the UC Berkeley Center for Biological Control. She, along with UC Davis entomologist Diane Ullman, nominated him for the award.

“ESA recognizes no more than 10 individuals per year across all entomological disciplines internationally—only nine were selected this year,” LeBeck said.

“Harry embodies all the characteristics of the type of distinguished scientist who is chosen to be a Fellow,” said LeBeck who worked with him as a post-doctoral fellow. “ESA Fellows are well-rounded, namely, they are distinguished in their specific area of expertise and have provided service to their professions. More than anything, Harry has been an inspiration to his students, postdoctoral fellows and colleagues. He is an outstanding scientist and a rare human being.”

UC Davis entomologist Michael Parrella, associate dean of agricultural sciences in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, praised Kaya as “a leading international authority in the area of insect pathology with special emphasis on the biology and ecology of nematodes used for biological control of insect pests.”

“Harry has taught hundreds and hundreds of undergraduates and has trained graduate students and postdoctoral scientists who now hold important research and administration positions all over the world,” Parrella said. “He has made enormous contributions to California agriculture. The College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences is very pleased that he is receiving this Fellow Award.  There is no one more deserving of this singular recognition than Dr. Kaya.”

Kaya said his overall objectives involve biological control “to reduce the pesticide load in the environment” and “to have a basic understanding of the ecology and behavior of insect parasitic nematodes.”

The UC Davis professor said he is especially proud of his students, postdoctoral fellows, and visiting international scientists who are excelling in entomology, insect pathology or nematology

Kaya received his bachelor and master’s degrees in entomology from the University of Hawaii and his doctorate in insect pathology from the University of California, Berkeley. He worked as an entomologist at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, from 1971-1976 before joining the UC Davis faculty in 1976. He chaired the Department of Nematology from 1994-2001.

A past president of the Society for Invertebrate Pathology (SIP), Kaya is editor-in-chief and a founding editor of the journal Biological Control. In 1998, he received the C. W. Woodworth Award from the Pacific Branch of ESA and in 2000, he received the Distinguished Achievement Award in Entomology from the Pacific Branch of ESA, the Recognition Award in Entomology from ESA, and was named a Fellow of the Society of Nematologists.

ESA, founded in 1889, is comprised of more than 5,700 entomologists and others in related disciplines. They are affiliated with educational institutions, government, health agencies, and private industry.  More information is on its Web site.

ESA Honoring Two Other Entomologists with UC Davis Connections Kenneth Yeargan  When the Entomological Society of America meets Dec. 9-12 in San Diego, it will also honor two other entomologists with UC Davis connections. Named one of the nine Fellows is Kenneth V. Yeargan, who received his doctorate in entomology from UC Davis in 1974. A faculty member at the University of Kentucky since 1974, he is an internationally recognized authority on bolas spiders, predators that attract their moth prey by duping them into responding to a pheromone mimic. His research has emphasized the ecology and behavior of carnivorous arthropods, biological control, and integrated pest management (IPM). Michael Irwin Michael E. Irwin, named ESA’s only 2007 honorary member, received his bachelor of science degree at UC Davis in 1963 and went on to receive a doctorate in entomology from UC Riverside. A Schlinger Research Emeritus Professor of Arthropod Biodiversity at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, he conducted research in international IPM, plant virus epidemiology, aphid migration, and stiletto fly systematics. See more information on ESA Web site.

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-Kathy Keatley Garvey
Communications Specialist
Department of Entomology
(530) 754-6894