Winter 2015: Campus News

Submitted by Julie Tillman

Mike Parrella leaving UC Davis

Mike Parrella leaving UC Davis We bid a sad farewell to Michael Parrella, UC Davis entomology professor. Parrella, whose distinguished research career significantly benefited the floriculture and nursery industry in California, has accepted a position as Dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the University of Idaho, Moscow, effective February 1, 2016. At UC Davis, Parrella has served as the chair of the Department of Entomology and Nematology and associate dean of Agricultural Sciences. He has also served as the Western Regional Administrator for the IR-4 program; was a board member of the Sacramento/Yolo County Mosquito Abatement District, the California Crop Improvement Association, and the Robert Mondavi Institute for Food and Wine Science; and was a UCNFA administrative committee member.

“I am excited about joining the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) at the University of Idaho. The president and provost have a wonderful vision to move the university forward, and CALS has a critical role to play,” Parrella said. “As the dean, I look forward to working with faculty, staff, students and stakeholders to make the college all that it can be.”

Parrella has a bachelor’s degree in animal science from Rutgers University, and a master’s and doctorate in entomology from Virginia Tech. His research is focused on developing integrated pest management (IPM) programs for greenhouse and nursery crops with an emphasis on biological control. He has published more than 100 refereed publications and more than 200 trade press/limited distribution articles.

Parrella was also recently elected as the vice president-elect of the Entomological Society of America (ESA), and he will assume the duties as president of the society and preside over the ESA annual meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia, in 2018.
Source: http://www.uidaho.edu/news/news-articles/news-releases/2015-october/100115-calsdean