Frank Zalom: CA&ES Exceptional Emeriti Award

UC Davis Distinguished Professor Emeritus (on recall) Frank Zalom, a legend in the world of integrated pest management and entomology for his research, teaching, mentoring and leadership, is the newly announced recipient of a 2026 College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences' Exceptional Emeriti Award. 

Zalom, who joined the UC Davis faculty in 1980, officially retired Jan. 30, 2018, but has continued his research since then. His peers praise how he built a world-renowned and vigorous research and extension program that continues to draw national and international acclaim.  

Zalom will be honored at the "Mission in Motion: Celebrating CA&ES and Award of Distinction," program, set from 5 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 14 in the newly opened Resnick Center for Agricultural Innovation, 1054 Extension Center Drive, Davis. Also selected for the Exceptional Emeriti Award: sociology emeritus professor William Lacy, former UC Davis Vice Provost for University Outreach and International Programs. 

Past President of ESA

A Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Zalom is a past president of the 7000-member Entomological Society of America (ESA), and an Honorary Member, ESA's highest honor.

In her letter of nomination, Joanna Chiu, professor and chair of the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology, described Zalom as "a nationally and globally respected agricultural entomologist who works on tree, vine, small fruit and fruiting  vegetable crops. He is an important liaison for our department and the college to commodity groups, public and private  sector organizations, and agricultural entomology agencies—and beyond. Frank’s expertise in agricultural entomology is  very sought after, and more importantly he has earned the trust and respect of colleagues and stakeholders."

 "As emeritus, Dr. Zalom has worked on numerous invasive or newly identified pest and disease issues, including brown marmorated stink bug, spotted wing drosophila, olive fruit fly, bagrada bug, South American tomato leafminer, and  grapevine red blotch virus (and its treehopper vectors), and is actively engaged with mentorship, professional activities,  and pest management policy," Chiu wrote. "Frank continues to support these activities with extramural grants and contracts, and  actively publishes his work in scientific journals, book chapters, and various reports and outreach venues. His work as  emeritus has resulted in scores of awards and honors."

More than $3 Million in New Grant Funding

"After retiring, Frank saw five active grants totaling more than $1.3 million through to their completion," Chiu shared. "And since retiring, he has received more than $3 million in new grant funding to support his research and extension activities." These include competitive grants from USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture-NIFA and California Department of Food and Agriculture.

During his long academic career, Zalom authored 387 journal articles and book chapters, and hundreds of technical proceedings as  well as extension, trade journal and commodity group publications. As an emeritus, he has, as of July 2026, co-authored 42 journal articles, 4 book chapters and an ‘R’ software package, Chiu wrote. His career publications have been cited more than 13,870 times, resulting in a publication H-factor of 54 (54  papers have been cited at least 54 times) and i10-index of 221. 

Zalom continues to be active in ESA as an emeritus. After retiring, he became  editor-in-chief of the Journal of Economic Entomology,  ESA’s flagship journal, the most cited journal in entomology.  

Zalom holds two degrees in zoology and ecology from Arizona State University: a bachelor's degree (1973) and a master's degree (1974). He received his doctorate in entomology from UC Davis in 1978.  He went on to serve as director of the UC Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program (UC IPM) from 1986 to 2002.

In his letter of support, UC Davis Distinguished Professor Walter Leal of the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, and former chair of the entomology department, portrayed  Zalom as "an internationally celebrated agricultural entomologist, researcher, leader, and mentor...Simply put, Frank is a giant in agricultural entomology." 

Leal noted that in 2024, ESA recognized him as a “Legend” in the publication, American Entomologist, "a fitting tribute to someone whose career has transformed IPM in California and beyond."

A Tireless Advocate of IPM

"Space does not permit a full account of Frank’s accomplishments," Leal wrote. "His leadership, public service, scientific excellence, integrity, work ethic, and unwavering commitment to sustainable agriculture have earned him the admiration of colleagues around the world. He is a tireless advocate for Integrated Pest Management, an exceptional mentor, and a walking encyclopedia of agricultural knowledge. I do not think he has ever learned to say 'No'; instead, his response is invariably, 'How can I help?'"

ESA Executive Director Chris Stelzig noted that Zalom "has contributed in innumerable ways to ESA over the years, including serving as president in 2014, Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Economic Entomology, our largest journal, from 2018-2023, and continuing service to support our publications portfolio through his service on our Publications Council...ESA and insect science today is better off thanks to Frank’s work." 

Hannah Burrack,  professor and chair of the Department of Entomology, Michigan State University, a research collaborator, and one of Zalom's former graduate students, commented: "I cannot imagine another faculty member with the impact Frank has had across all the missions of the land grant university with his continued research productivity, his strong stakeholder connection and communication, and his willingness to support graduate students."  

"I have known Frank since 2002 when I began my PhD training under his direction in the Department of Entomology," Burrack wrote. "Frank was a transformational mentor and has remained a close collaborator and friend."

Award of Distinction Recipients

The awards ceremony, open to the public,  begins at approximately 5:45 p.m. Reservations are required for the social. (See CA&ES website)

2026 Award of Distinction Recipients 

Alum of the Year
Kathleen Nelson Feicht ’73 (year of UC Davis graduation)

Early Career Alum
Guillermo Garcia Zamora ’21 

Distinguished Friends of the College
Marvin Shanken
Jacque Barthlomew ’64 and Wayne Barthlomew ’64, J.D. ’71

Exceptional Faculty Award
Huaijun Zhou

Exceptional Staff Award
Melissa Haworth  ’97, M.B.A. ’06

Exceptional Emeriti Awards
Frank Zalom  ’78
William Lacy 

Resources:

• Frank Zalom: Entomologist Extraordinaire, July 28, 2023, UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology (ENT) website
• Frank Zalom: Lifetime Achievement Award from California Department of Pesticide Regulation, Feb. 27, 2024, ENT website
• 'Entomological Giant' Frank Zalom Receives ESA's Highest Honor, Oct. 13, 2021, ENT website