At MSU, insect-based solutions for global challenges

Kate Holloway
·1 min read
At MSU, insect-based solutions for global challenges

LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — Michigan State University has been exploring several ecological innovations, from sequestering carbon with soil to using table salt to help recycle plastics.

And this Thursday and Friday, folks from all over are gathering at MSU to focus on insect-based solutions to global ecological challenges. The Excellence in Insect Science Symposium will draw entomologists, as well as partners in industry, government and other sectors.

Don’t miss the tasty insect offerings while you’re there: the MSU Dairy Store is offering insect-themed ice cream flavors, and Edible Insect Ambassador Joseph Yoon is offering cooking demonstrations in “entomophagy” (eating insects).

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“This event is focused on collaborative idea-generation rather than traditional scientific presentations, and I expect it to supercharge research leveraging insect-focused solutions for climate resilience, one health, and STEM education within MSU Entomology and beyond,” said MSU Entomology Chair Hannah Burrack.

Pictured: Undergrad Robin Fisher with grad student Ariana Hernandez, Matt Grieshop and EROF Naim Benin. Entomology associate professor Matt Grieshop (back, left) and graduate student Ariana Hernandez (front, right) discuss trapping spotted wing Drosophila, a major pest of fruit, with student researchers Robin Fisher (front, left) and Naim Benin (back, right). (Courtesy: MSU Department of Entomology)

The featured speakers at the symposium are Rufus Isaacs, Ph.D., of MSU (Climate Resilience: Biodiversity); Ben Beard, Ph.D., from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (One Health: Arthropods & Health); and “The Bug Chicks,” Kristie Reddick and Jessica Honaker (STEM Education: Increasing Diversity & Access).

This year’s symposium theme is “Leveraging Insect Science for Global Grand Challenges.”

The symposium is going on through this Friday, May 17, at the Kellogg Conference Center.

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