Lab News
November 2023
Congratulations to Edith Ikuze (MS student) for receiving a Graduate Student Mini-Grant Award from the Department of Entomology at UNL.
Congratulations to Sanket Shinde for receiving third place and the People's Choice Award at the 2023 Elevator Speech Contest! This event was held on Nov. 14, 2023, and was coordinated by the UNL Agronomy & Horticulture, Entomology and Plant Pathology Departments.
Congratulations to Kashish Verma (M.S. student) and Sanket Shinde (Ph.D. student) on receiving 1st & 2nd place for poster and oral presentations, respectively, at the National Entomological Society of America's Annual Meeting at National Harbor, MD (Nov. 5-8, 2023).
Alumni and current members of the Plant-Insect Interactions Lab, who attended the National Entomological Society of America’s Annual Meeting at National Harbor, MD, gathered for a lunch reunion on November 8, 2023.
A publication spearheaded by Heena Puri's dissertation research was featured in a recent BMC Genomics paper (DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09529-5). It was highlighted as a news item in SorghumBase, which is a USDA ARS funded resource that supports the sorghum community. See news here.
August 2023
Heena Puri, recent lab alumna, received the 2023 Lillian and Alex Feir Graduate Student Travel Award in Insect Physiology, Biochemistry, or Molecular Biology from the Entomological Society of America. Congratulations Heena! See news release here.
Juan Betancurt Cardona’s recent Plant Science paper (DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2023.111646) has been highlighted as a news item on SorghumBase, which is a USDA ARS funded resource that supports the sorghum community. See news here.
The Plant-Insect Interaction lab recently participated in the Entomology Department's BugFest. The lovely artwork on the t-shirts was designed by Sanket Shinde. Thanks, Sanket, for creating this!
Summer Research Experience for Undergraduate (REU) students, India Watson and Sofia Ayala, presented their work at the Nebraska Summer Research Symposium. Great work!
The lab welcomes Dr. Kumar Shrestha as the new postdoctoral research associate!
July 2023 
Dr. Joe Louis (left) gave an invited presentation at the International Society of Chemical Ecology meeting, which was held at Bengaluru, India, between July 23 – 27, 2023.
Dr. Pritha Kundu recently gave an invited presentation at the International Society for Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions Congress, which was held at Providence, RI (July 16 – 20).
June 2023
Congratulations to Dr. Heena Puri (at right) on her new position at Impetus Ag., St. Louis, MO, as an insect testing scientist. She began her new position on June 26, 2023.
The lab hosted 12 middle and high school teachers (at left) for the Plant-Insect Interactions Workshop from May 30-June 2, 2023.
The lab welcomes India Watson (left) and Sofia Ayala (right) to our lab from Florida A&M University and the University of Texas Rio Grand Valley respectively. They were in the summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU).
May 2023
At left, all the lab members went for a lab lunch to celebrate awards, graduation, papers, and to welcome new members to the Plant-Insect Interaction Lab. 
Heena Puri is pictured at right with Dr. Louis and her Ph.D. diploma at the May 2023 Graduation Commencement. Congratulations Dr. Heena Puri!
Congratulations to Dr. Joe Louis on being selected for the 2023 UNL Outstanding Postdoc Mentor Award! He is pictured with two of his postdocs, Awesome (Dr. Pritha Kundu) and Princess (Dr. Lise Pingault).
Plant-Insect Interaction lab alumnus, Dr. Sajjan Grover, has been selected to present his doctoral/post-doctoral work at the Early Career Professional Recognition Symposium for Entomology 2023. Four presenters were selected nationally, one representing each ESA Section, to give a 30-minute feature presentation describing their research contributions. Congratulations Sajjan!
April 2023
Congratulations to Heena Puri for successfully defending her Ph.D. dissertation! She is pictured in the black pantsuit with the lab.
March 2023
Congratulations to Dr. Joe Louis for being selected the recipient of the Gamma Sigma Delta Research Award at UNL!
February 2023
Postdoc Dr. Pritha Kundu (far left) and Ph.D. students Heena Puri (center left) and Sanket Shinde (left) were each awarded competitive travel grants to attend the Midwest Section of the American Society of Plant Biologists in Iowa in April. Congratulations, Pritha, Heena, and Sanket!
January 2023
The lab welcomes Kashish Verma (right) and Esha Kaler (far right) as new graduate students seeking their MS degrees in Entomology.
November 2022
Congratulations to Dr. De-Fen Mou on her new position at the University of Florida Department of Entomology as an Assistant Professor. She will begin her new position on Jan 1, 2023.
At right, Joe Louis (center), Heena Puri (right), and Edith Ikuze (left), received the Entomological Society of America (ESA) Plant-Insect Ecosystem’s (P-IE) Recognition Award in Entomology, Kenneth and Barbara Starks Plant Resistance to Insects Graduate Student Award, and Undergraduate Student Achievement in Entomology Award, respectively, at the ESA meeting held at Vancouver, Canada (Nov. 13-16, 2022)
The Plant-Insect Interactions lab participated in the UNL Plant Science Retreat held at Nebraska City on Nov. 10-11, 2022. Dr. Pritha Kundu (pictured at left) gave an oral presentation and Dr. Lise Pingault, Heena Puri, Sanket Shinde and Edith Ikuze presented posters at the meeting.
The Plant-Insect Interactions Lab performed outreach activities at the Culler Middle School and Schoo Middle School on Nov 3, 2022.
September 2022
Congratulations to Joe Louis, Heena Puri, and Edith Ikuze for receiving awards from the Entomological Society of America (ESA)! See the news release here.
A UNL research project spearheaded by Dr. Sajjan Grover, UNL Plant-Insect Interactions Lab alumni, was highlighted in a Sept. 2 news release. The research expands human understanding of sorghum defenses against the sugarcane aphid threat. This study was further explained in a manuscript published in Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions by Louis, Grover, Heena Puri (graduate student), Scott Sattler from the UDSA in Lincoln, and Zhanguo Xin in Texas.
August 2022
Giovanna Sagestegui, REEU student pictured in the center, presented her work at the Nebraska Summer Research Symposium (at left). She is pictured with L-R: Sanket Shinde, De-Fen Mou, Pritha Kundu, and Edith Ikuze.
Best wishes to Juan Betancurt Cardona on his new position at Bayer Research and Development as a research technician. Congratulations Juan!
July 2022
Edith Ikuze and Heena Puri were awarded the Charles C. Cooper/Emma I. Sharpless Fellowship and Widaman Distinguished Graduate Fellowship Award from the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR), University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Congratulations Edith & Heena!
June 2022
We hosted eight Lincoln Public School (LPS) Teachers for the Plant-Insect Interactions Workshop from May 31-June 3, 2022 (pictured at right).
We welcomed Edith Ikuze as a new M.S. student in our lab for fall 2022. 
The lab welcomed Giovanna Sagastegui to our lab from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) as part of the National Science Foundation (NSF) Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program.
May 2022
Congratulations to Mia Luong (left) and Juan Betancurt Cardona (right) for completing their Master's of Science degrees in Entomology. They are pictured at left with their advisor, Dr. Joe Louis, at the May 2022 Graduate Commencement.
April 2022
All lab members went for a lab lunch to celebrate awards, graduation, papers, and also welcoming new members to the Plant-Insect Interactions Lab.
March 2022
The lab welcomes Dr. Pritha Kundu (left) and Dr. De-Fen Mou as postdoctoral research associates!
February 2022
Dr. Joe Louis was appointed as an Eberhard Professor of Agricultural Entomology by the University of Nebraska starting January 2022. The endowed professorship is named for the late Harold and Alice Eberhard and their family. More details are at https://ianrnews.unl.edu/louis-named-eberhard-professor-agricultural-entomology-pursues-innovative-research-educational. Congratulations Joe!
Dr. Lise Pingault received the American Society of Plant Biologists (ASPB) Travel Grant to attend the Plant Biology 2022 meeting, which will be held at Portland, OR, July 9-13, 2022. Congratulations, Lise!
January 2022
Congratulations to Dr. Lise Pingault for receiving the 2021 UNL Outstanding Postdoc Award from the Office of Graduate Studies. Pingault contributes to the lab, the department, and the university through her publications, outreach activities, mentorship, training, and service. This award includes a $1,500 honorarium and recognizes the winner's comprehensive efforts in research, teaching, mentoring, innovation, and university or community service. She is pictured here with (L-R) Dr. L.J. McElravy, associate dean at Graduate Studies, and Dr. John Ruberson, Entomology department head.
Best wishes to Dr. Sajjan Grover on his new position at Bayer Research and Development in Chesterfield, MO. He will be a Scientist-II in Hemipteran Research.
Congratulations to Heena Puri (Ph.D. student) and Juan Betancurt Cardona (MS student) for receiving Graduate Student Mini-Grant Awards from the Department of Entomology, UNL.
Congratulations to Heena Puri for receiving the UNL Agricultural Research Division’s Life Sciences Graduate Fellowship for spring 2022.
November 2021
Congratulations to Juan Betancurt Cardona for receiving first place for his oral presentation at the Entomological Society of America (ESA) annual meeting held in Denver, CO., Oct. 31-Nov. 3, 2021.
August 2021
Congratulations to Sajjan Grover, postdoctoral research associate, who received the 2021 Student Activity Award from the Entomological Society of America (ESA)!
June 2021
Recent UNL Entomology graduate and now postdoc Dr. Sajjan Grover had his ESA National Meeting presentation selected to be a part of the “Rising Stars of Entomology Award Symposium” at the meeting. He also took 1st place in the Ph.D. Presentation Session. Congratulations, Sajjan!
Ph.D. student Heena Puri was selected to receive the 2021-22 Hardin Distinguished Graduate Fellowship, which supports outstanding graduate students in work related to plant physiology. She is pictured (center) with Dr. Tiffany Heng-Moss, (CASNR Dean), Dr. Archie Clutter (Ag. Research Dean), Dr. John Ruberson (Entomology department head), Dr. Tom Burkey (CASNR interim associate dean for graduate education), and Jocelyn Gordon (CASNR coordinator of Professional Development) (L-R). Congratulations, Heena!
Undergraduate students Jessica Ayala (left) and Isabella Rodriguez (right) joined the lab from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) as part of NSF Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Program. Welcome Jessica & Isabella!
May 2021
Heena Puri, Ph.D. student, received the 2021-2022 Milton E. Mohr Fellowship from the Nebraska Center for Biotechnology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Great work Heena!
Congratulations to Sajjan Grover on graduating at May 2021 Graduate Commencement with his Ph.D. He is pictured at right with his diploma and with his advisor, Dr. Joe Louis. April 2021
Dr. Joe Louis was promoted to full Professor in the Department of Entomology. He is pictured (left) with UNL Biochemistry faculty at the Promotion and Tenure celebration. Joe was among 109 faculty members at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln who were promoted and/or tenured this year.
January 2021
Congratulations to Sajjan Grover for successfully defending his Ph.D. dissertation! Sajjan is starting his new position as a postdoctoral research associate in our lab beginning February 2021.
August 2020
Earl Agpawa received the Undergraduate Student Achievement in Entomology Award from the Entomological Society of America (ESA) for his research on sorghum-aphid interactions. Congratulations Earl!Sajjan Grover received the 2020 Kenneth and Barbara Starks Plant Resistance to Insects Graduate Student Award from the Entomological Society of America (ESA) for his research on sorghum-aphid interactions. Sajjan also received the 2020 Lillian and Alex Feir Graduate Student Travel Award in Insect Physiology, Biochemistry, or Molecular Biology from ESA. Congratulations Sajjan!
July 2020
Joe Louis received a USDA/NIFA grant to study resistance in sorghum to fall armyworm (see news release here)
June 2020
Mia Luong and Earl Agpawa received the Earl and Bertha Ramsey Memorial Fellowship Ephriam and Veallon Hixson Memorial Scholarship, respectively, from the Department of Entomology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Congratulations, Mia and Earl!
Kaitlin Chapman (Ph.D candidate) started a new position as Extension Educator in the Lancaster County Extension office in Lincoln, NE. Congratulations, Kait!
May 2020
Congratulations to Sajjan Grover for receiving first place for his oral presentation in the virtual ESA-NCB/SWB competition.
April 2020
March 2020
Joe Louis has been featured as the “Scientist to Watch” in The Scientist Magazine.
January 2020
Prince Zogli received the American Society of Plant Biologists (ASPB) Travel Grant to attend the Plant Biology 2020 meeting, which will be held at Washington, DC (July 25-29), Congratulations, Prince!
December 2019
Mariana Sanchez at the Graduation Commencement where she received her master's degree. Mariana is pictured with her co-advisors Ana Velez and Joe Louis.
Mariana Sanchez receiving her insect-themed pillow case at the Department of Entomology graduation ceremony.
Congratulations to Sajjan Grover (PhD student) for receiving the 2019 Mini-Grant Award sponsored by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of Entomology.
Joe Louis has been featured in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln 2018-19 research report: Charting a Bold Future and Husker Researchers Tie CAREER Award Record
November 2019
Congratulations to Sajjan Grover and Earl Agpawa for receiving 2nd Place for Grad Infographic and 2nd Place of Undergrad Poster, respectively, at the 2019 Entomological Society of America’s (ESA) Annual Meeting.
Joe Louis received the ESA Early Career Innovation Award at the ESA meeting in St. Louis.
Joe receiving the award from ESA President Bob Peterson.October 2019
Sajjan Grover and Karen Da Silva received the 2019 Widaman Distinguished Graduate Fellowship and Hardin Distinguished Graduate Fellowship, respectively, on October 10 at the ARD Award Luncheon.
Joe Louis was named as the 2019 recipient of the Early Career Innovation Award from the Entomological Society of America. See news release here and here.
August 2019
Sajjan Grover and Karen Da Silva were awarded the 2019 Widaman Distinguished Graduate Fellowship and Hardin Distinguished Graduate Fellowship, respectively, from the Institute of Agricultural and Natural Resources (IANR), University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Congratulations, Sajjan and Karen! A luncheon to honor all those receiving Graduate Fellowships will be held later this Fall.
Adryenna Perez and Juan Raya presented their work at the Nebraska Summer Research Symposium (pictured with Sajjan Grover).
July 2019
Earl Agpawa’s research proposal was awarded a $2,500 grant from the IANR Agricultural Research Division Undergraduate Student Research Program. Congratulations, Earl!
Karen da Silva was named as the 2019 recipient of the I.E. Melhus Graduate Student Symposium Award from the American Phytopathological Society. Congratulations Karen!
We welcome Dr. Lise Pingault and Dr. Prince Zogli as postdoctoral research associates in our lab.
June 2019
We welcomed Adryenna Perez and Juan Raya to our lab from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV; Kariyat Lab) as part of the NSF Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Program.
May 2019
Suresh Varsani was awarded his Ph.D. in Entomology at the May 2019 Graduation Commencement. Congratulations Dr. Varsani!
Suresh Varsani receiving his insect pillow case at the Department of Entomology graduation ceremony.
April 2019
Joe Louis was promoted to Associate Professor and granted tenure at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Promotion and Tenure celebration.
March 2019
Kait Chapman and Sajjan Grover received the North Central Branch-Entomological Society of America Student Travel Scholarships to attend the meeting. Mariana Sanchez received the Graduate Student Travel Award from University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Office of Graduate Studies.
February 2019
Joe Louis received a five-year $1.5 million Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER) award from the National Science Foundation.
October 2018
March 2018
Kait Chapman and Suresh Varsani received the North Central Branch-Entomological Society of America Student Travel Scholarships to attend the meeting.
January 2018
