Sept. 5, 2008
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Chemical ecologist Walter Leal (right) of UC Davis receives the coveted Medal of Science from professor Roberto Parra, former dean of the College of Agriculture, University of San Paulo at Piraciba. The award is equivalent to a Fellow in the Entomological Society of America. |
DAVIS—Chemical ecologist Walter Leal, professor of entomology at the University of California, Davis, received the coveted Medal of Science award at the 22nd Brazilian Congress of Entomology meeting, held Aug. 23-29 in Uberlandia.
The award, equivalent to a Fellow of the Entomological Society of America (ESA), was presented to him for “promoting the development of chemical ecology in Brazil and for international recognition in science.”
Leal, a native of Brazil and internationally known for his chemical ecology research, said he was honored to receive the award. “When I left Brazil in the earlier 1980s I was known--at least in my hometown--as a sports announcer (soccer in particular) and high school chemistry teacher. It was great to return and be honored in entomology for my work in insect chemical ecology.”
Leal also delivered the plenary or open address at the meeting, which drew more than 1350 scientists, including undergraduate and graduate students. He discussed his chemical ecology research, including his lab’s ground-breaking research on DEET’s mode of action, which received international news coverage. .
“This was probably the largest audience ever for one of my presentations, except for my lectures to high school students the days before university entrance examinations,” Leal said. “I was thrilled to talk to an audience, especially so many from the next generation. The future holds promise of an even more vibrant entomology in Brazil.”
Following his talk, one of the students asked him: “How can you do all that and still have a social life?”
“I was glad neither my wife nor anyone from the lab was present,” Leal related. “So I responded that ‘It affects only a little bit of Saturdays and Sundays.’”
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| A four-member delegation from UC Davis attended the Brazilian conference and delivered scientific presentations. From left are professor Walter Leal; graduate student Andrew Sutherland; professor emeritus Lester Ehler; and associate dean and entomology professor Michael Parrella. |
Also giving presentations from UC Davis were Lester Ehler, retired professor of entomology; entomologist Michael Parrella, associate dean of the Division of Agricultural Sciences, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences; and graduate student Andrew Sutherland of the Parrella lab.
Leal’s newly funded project, “Fund for Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE),” aimed at training and exchange of undergraduate students from Penn State, UC Davis, University of Sao Paulo at Piracicaba and Federal University Federal of Parana, means he will be heading back to Brazil in October for an organizational meeting in Rio de Janeiro.
“I am absolutely delighted to have the opportunity to train undergrads from Brazil and promote US-Brazil cultural exchange,” Leal said.
The Brazilian entomological society, the second largest entomological society in the world, is second only in membership to the 5700-member ESA. Among the four scientists receiving the Medal of Science was Brazilian-born Marcos Kogan of Oregon State University, an integrated pest management icon.
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--Kathy Keatley Garvey
Communications specialist
UC Davis Department of Entomology
(530) 754-6894
