UC Davis entomologist Michael P. Parrella, associate dean of agricultural sciences at the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, and professor of entomology and environmental horticulture, has received the Emma Lausten Horticulture Award from Rutgers University, New Jersey.

Parrella was recognized for his extensive contributions to floriculture integrated pest management (IPM). He researches IPM strategies on ornamental plants with an emphasis on biological pest control. "My work," he said, "is aimed at reducing pesticide usage through safe and effective alternatives."

"Dr. Parrella's efforts as a scientist and administrator have significantly assisted growers of horticultural crops," said Jerry Baron, executive director of the Interregional Research Project No. 4 (IR-4), who nominated him for the award. IR-4, headquartered at Rutgers, is a federal program established in 1963 that partners grower groups, researchers, land-grant universities, the crop protection industry, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in seeking safe and effective pest management solutions for food and ornamental crops.

"We are proud to call Michael an alumnus of Cook College, Rutgers," Baron said. "He is well deserving of the Emma Lausten award."

In addition to advancing IPM and biological control strategies in the floriculture industry, Parrella has trained numerous researchers who now hold prominent floricultural entomology positions.

The award memorializes noted amateur horticulturist Emma Lausten (1904-2000), whose estate funds the annual Lausten symposium and horticulture award. This year's symposium focused on the future direction of IPM.

Mark Robson, director of the New Jersey Agricultural Experimental Station, Rutgers, presented the award.

A 1980 graduate of Cook College, with a bachelor of science degree in animal science, Parrella received his master's and doctorate degrees from Virginia Tech, Blacksburg. He began his academic career at UC Riverside Department of Entomology in 1980 before joining the UC Davis Department of Entomology in 1989.

Parrella chaired the UC Davis Department of Entomology from 1991 to 1999, when he was named associate dean of agricultural sciences, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

A past president of the Pacific Branch of the Entomological Society of America, Parrella has authored more than 350 publications, with 200 of them appearing in trade journals. For 10 years he wrote a monthly column for the trade magazines, Greenhouse Manager and GrowerTalks.

The Emma Lausten Horticulture Award is Parrella's second alumni award. He received the Virginia Tech Distinguished Alumni Award in 1998.

Among his other honors: the California Association of Nurserymen and Garden Center Research Award, Entomological Society of America Recognition Award, Futura Research and Education Award from the Professional Plant Growers Association and the Alex Laurie Research Award from the Society of American Florists.