Monsanto awards six researchers grants for insect management solutions

Monsanto Co. announced today that it has awarded grants to six recipients under the company’s Insect Management Knowledge Program (IMKP).

The program provides merit-based awards of up to $250,000 per award each year, for up to three years, for outstanding research that improves the understanding of insect management and addresses significant agricultural challenges and issues.

Monsanto Science Strategy VP and IMKP Co-Chair Sherri Brown said the program’s valuable work will lead to even more effective insect management solutions for farmers in the future.

The IMKP is guided by a 10-person advisory committee made up of academics and growers. It provides guidance on integrated pest management and recommends areas of basic research on insect resistance and management, which would be of interest to growers, the academic community and Monsanto. Earlier this year, the program expanded its focus to include insects that are economically damaging to any U.S. row crop.

The award recipients are Peter Ellsworth, University of Arizona; Felicia Wu, Michigan State University; Jeff Gore, Mississippi State University; Matthew O’Neal, Iowa State University; Tom Coudron of U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service; and Philip Zamore, University of Massachusetts.