Co-Chair, 2016 International Congress of Entomology
Dr. Alvin M. Simmons is a Research Entomologist with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Vegetable Laboratory in Charleston, South Carolina. Simmons is recognized internationally for his innovative research on integrated pest management (IPM) in vegetable and field crops. Excluding abstracts, he is the author/coauthor of more than 122 scientific publications (90 are refereed journal articles and 5 are breeding line releases). Several of his publications are the result of collaborations with researchers in several countries. He presented research papers at four of the past five ICE Congresses. His documented research on whiteflies and other insects provides information on host plant resistance, biological control, insect bionomics and ecology, biopesticides, trapping, and insect–plant–virus associations. In addition, the registration of pesticides for specialty crops using Simmons’ data from more than 150 reports to the national IR-4 Project has provided critical pesticides needed by growers to manage important pest problems for which they would otherwise have few or no viable control options. This includes insecticides which are used globally on many specialty crops. Simmons received an IR-4 Meritorious Award for his IR-4 work. His basic and applied research often led to collaborative research, special invitations, and research grants.
Simmons takes an active role in scientific societies, research conferences and workshops by chairing committees, moderating sessions, and chairing and organizing formal symposia. For example, he served as: President of the Southeastern Branch of the Entomological Society of America (ESA); Entomological Foundation Board of Counselors; Chair, ESA International Affairs Committee; Co-Chair, ESA Local Arrangement Committee; ESA Program Committee; Chair, ESA Presidential Committee on International Congress of Entomology Travel Grant; Steering Committee, International Plant Resistance to Insects; and Southeastern Branch–ESA services on Executive Committee; Chair, Program Committee; and Chair, Local Arrangement Committee.
Among his honors, Simmons was the first recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Kentucky, Department of Entomology, and a recipient of the Southeastern Branch–Entomological Society of America Award for Excellence in Integrated Pest Management. He has visited 26 countries for work-related travel or personal travel. Simmons recently served on a special assignment to head the USDA–ARS, J. Phil Campbell Natural Resource Conservation Center in Watkinsville, Georgia, USA, as Acting Research Leader.