Education

• Ph. D. in Entomology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 2021
• M. Sc. in Entomology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 2015
• B. Sc. in Entomology, National Taiwan University, Taipei city, Taiwan, 2013

Publications

Referred Journal Publications:

1. Lai, P.-C., Grundberg, E. A., Rusinek T., & Nault, B. A. (2023). Evaluation of reflective mulch and insect exclusion coverings for allium leafminer (Diptera: Agromyzidae) management in allium crops. Journal of Economic Entomology, 117(1), 259-267 https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toad235
2. Lai, P.-C., Sandhi, R. K., & Nault, B. A. (2023). Allium leafminer (Diptera: Agromyzidae) host preference: implications for developing a trap cropping strategy. Frontiers in Insect Science, 3:1233130. https://doi.org/10.3389/finsc.2023.1233130
3. Lin, P.-A., Paudel, S, Lai, P.-C., GC, R. K., Yang, D.-H., Felton, G. W. (2023). Integrating water and insect pest management in agriculture. Journal of Pest Science, 91:521-538. http://doi.org/10.1007/S10340-023-01701-W
4. Lai, P.-C., Iglesias, L., Groves, R. L., Havey, M. J., & Nault, B. A. (2022). Performance of a semi-glossy onion hybrid in certified organic onion fields infested with Thrips tabaci and bulb-rot causing bacteria. Crop Protection, 160, 106037. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cropro.2022.106037
5. LaTora, A. G., Lai, P.-C., Chen, Y.-J., Gautam, S., Abney, M. R., & Srinivasan, R. (2022) Frankliniella fusca (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), the vector of tomato spotted wilt orthotospovirus infecting peanut in the southeastern United States. Journal of Integrated Pest Management, 13(1), 3. https://doi.org/10.1093/jipm/pmab045
6. Lai, P.-C., Abney, M. R., Bag, S., Culbreath, A. K., & Srinivasan, R. (2021). Impact of host resistance to tomato spotted wilt orthotospovirus in peanut cultivars on virus population genetics and thrips fitness. Pathogens, 10(11), 1418. https://doi.org/10.3390/PATHOGENS10111418
7. Lai, P.-C., Abney, M. R., Chen, Y.-J., Bag, S., & Srinivasan, R. (2021). Discrepancies in serology-based and nucleic acid-based detection and quantitation of tomato spotted wilt orthotospovirus in leaf and root tissues from symptomatic and asymptomatic peanut plants. Pathogens, 10(11), 1476. https://doi.org/10.3390/PATHOGENS10111476
8. Srinivasan, R., Abney, M. R., Lai, P.-C., Culbreath, A. K., Tallury, S., & Leal-Bertioli, S. C. M. (2018). Resistance to thrips in peanut and implications for management of thrips and thrips-transmitted orthotospoviruses in peanut. Frontiers in Plant Science, 871(9), 1604. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2018.01604

Extension and other publications:

1. Lai, P.-C. and Nault, B. A. (2023) Evaluation of spirotetramat with adjuvants for enhancing onion thrips control in onion, 2023. Arthropod Management Tests, 48(1), tsad120. https://doi.org/10.1093/amt/tsad120
2. Lai, P.-C. and Nault, B. A. (2023) Potato leafhopper control in potato, 2023. Arthropod Management Tests, 48(1), tsad117. https://doi.org/10.1093/amt/tsad117
3. Bhandari, R., Lai, P.-C., Nault, B. A. (2023) Allium leafminer identification, biology and control. Vegetable Pest Fact Sheet, New York State Integrated Pest Management, Cornell CALS. https://cals.cornell.edu/new-york-state-integrated-pest-management/outreach-education/fact-sheets/allium-leafminer
4. Komondy, L., Salgado, L. D., and Lai, P.-C. (2023) Rolling with the Scientific Punches. American Entomologist, 69 (2), 25.
5. Lai, P.-C. and Nault, B. A. Do thrips facilitate bulb rot disease? Onion World, December 2022.
6. Lai, P.-C. and Nault, B. A. Are onion thrips allies of bulb-rot causing bacteria in organic onion production? Cornell Cooperative Extension VEGEdge newsletters 18 (16), July 27, 2022.
7. Lai, P.-C. and Nault, B. A. Optimizing onion thrips management programs in organic onion production. Organic Vegetable Production Conference handout. February 07, 2022.

Presentations

Invited presentations:

1. Lai, P.-C. Applied Ecology Research for Agricultural Pest Management. Department of Entomology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan. December 8, 2023
2. Lai, P.-C. Expand your IPM toolbox: advancing pest management through applied ecology research. UNL Crops IPM Entomologist Interview Research Seminar. Lincoln, NE. May 17, 2023
3. Lai, P.-C. Get the most out of IPM research to serve growers in NE and beyond. UNL Crops IPM Entomologist Interview Extension Seminar. Scottsbluff, NE. May 15, 2023
4. Lai, P.-C. and Nault, B. A. Would trap cropping be a viable management option for Allium leafminer in organic Allium crop production? Symposium: Early Career Professionals Adapting and Achieving across Disciplines. 2023 Eastern Branch Meeting, Entomological Society of America, Providence, RI. March 19, 2023.
5. Lai, P.-C. My journey in the United States ft. Agricultural pest management in the U.S. (virtual; in Mandarin). Monthly Seminar Series, Taiwanese Entomologists around the World. September 17, 2022.

Contributed Presentations (society conferences)

1. Lai, P.-C., Sandhi, R. K., Vetrovec, O., Shields, E., Nault, B. A. Managing Colorado potato beetle and corn wireworm with indigenous entomopathogenic nematodes in potato (10-minute paper). Entomology 2023, Entomological Society of America national meeting, National Harbor, MD, November 5-8, 2023
2. Lai, P.-C., Sandhi, R. K., Nault, B. A. Tackling allium leafminer, an invasive pest of Allium crops, in the eastern US (10-minute paper). Entomological Society of America national meeting (joint meeting with ESC, and ESBC. Vancouver, BC, Canada. November 13-16, 2022.
3. Lai, P.-C., Iglesias, L., Nault, B. A. Optimizing onion thrips management programs in organic onion production (12-minute paper). Entomological Society of America national meeting. Denver, CO. October 31-November 4, 2021.
4. Lai, P.-C., Abney, M. R., Srinivasan, R. Spatial and temporal spread of tomato spotted wilt orthotospovirus (TSWV) in two runner-type TSWV-resistant peanut cultivars​ (10-minute paper). 53^rd American Peanut Research and Education Society annual meeting (virtual). July 13-15, 2021.
5. Lai, P.-C., Abney, M. R., Srinivasan, R. Relationships between tobacco thrips infestation and peanut yield in southeastern United States (10-minute Paper). Entomological Society of America national meeting (virtual). November 11-25, 2020.
6. Lai, P.-C., Abney, M. R., Srinivasan, R. Tomato Spotted Wilt Epidemiology and Impacts on Peanut Yield (Poster). 52^nd American Peanut Research and Education Society annual meeting (virtual). July 14-16, 2020.
7. Lai, P.-C., Abney, M. R., Srinivasan, R. Development of decision-making thresholds for tobacco thrips management in peanut (10-minute Paper). Entomological Society of America national meeting, San Louis, MO. November 17-20, 2019.
8. Lai, P.-C., Abney, M. R., Srinivasan, R. Spotted Wilt Disease of Peanut: Epidemiology and Impact on Yield (10-minute Paper). Georgia Entomological Society annual meeting, Cordele, GA. April 10-12, 2019.   
9. Lai, P.-C., Abney, M. R., Srinivasan, R. The Impact of Tobacco Thrips Abundance and Injury on Peanut Yield: Developing Action Thresholds for Thrips Management (10-minute Paper). Entomological Society of America national meeting (joint meeting with ESC, and ESBC), Vancouver, BC Canada. November 10-14, 2018.     
10. Lai, P.-C., Abney, M. R., Srinivasan, R. Assessment of tobacco thrips (Frankliniella fusca) feeding injury and economic impact on peanut (10-minute Paper).  Georgia Entomological Society annual meeting, Unicoi State Park and Lodge, Helen, GA. April 4-6, 2018.   
11. Lai, P.-C., Abney, M. R., Srinivasan, R. Economic impact of tobacco thrips (Frankliniella fusca) feeding injury on peanut (10-minute Paper). Entomological Society of America national meeting, Denver, CO. November 5-8, 2017.
12. Lai, P.-C., Abney, M. R., Srinivasan, R. Assessment of Economic Decision Levels for Tobacco Thrips (Frankliniella fusca) in Peanut Production (Poster). Georgia Entomological Society annual meeting. Jekyll Island, Glynn, GA. April 5-7, 2017.
13. Lai, P.-C., Abney, M. R., Srinivasan, R. Evaluation of residual toxicity of neonicotinoids and resistance issues in thrips management in peanut (15-minute Paper). XXV International Congress of Entomology, Orlando, FL, USA. September 25-30, 2016. 
14. Lai, P.-C., Abney, M. R., Srinivasan, R. Evaluation of residual toxicity of neonicotinoids and resistance issues in thrips management in peanut (10-minute Paper). Georgia Entomological Society annual meeting, Callaway Garden, Pine Mountain, GA. April 6-8, 2016.
15. Lai, P.-C., Abney, M. R., Culbreath, A. K., Tallury, S., and Srinivasan, R. The impact of Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) resistant peanut genotypes on TSWV transmission by thrips and thrips fitness (10-minute Paper). Entomological Society of America national meeting, Minneapolis, MN. November 15-18, 2015.  
16. Lai, P.-C., Abney, M. R., Culbreath, A. K., Srinivasan, R. Integration of chemical and cultural tactics with newly released peanut cultivars for thrips and Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus management in peanut production (10-minute Paper). Georgia Entomological Society annual meeting, Jekyll Island, GA. April 8-10, 2015. 
17. Lai, P.-C., Abney, M. R., Culbreath, A. K., Srinivasan, R. Integration of alternatives to carbamate and organophosphate insecticides with newly released peanut cultivars for thrips and Tomato spotted wilt virus management (Poster). Entomological Society of America national meeting, Portland, OR. November 16-19, 2014.  

Extension presentations

1. Lai, P.-C., Iglesias, L., Groves, L. R., Havey, M., Nault, B. A. Optimizing onion thrips management programs in organic onion production. Organic Vegetable Production Conference (virtual). February 07, 2022.

Other contributed presentations:

1. Vetrovec, O., Lai, P.-C., Nault, B. A. Managing Colorado potato beetle with indigenous entomopathogenic nematodes: beetle susceptibility and nematode persistence in soil (poster). The Summer Research Scholars Poster Presentations, Cornell AgriTech, Geneva, NY. August 4, 2023. [Student mentor]
2. Lai, P.-C., Sandhi, R., Grundberg, E., Rusinek, T., Nault, B. A. Tackling allium leafminer, an invasive pest of Allium crops, in the eastern US. 7^th Annual SAGES symposium. Cornell AgeiTech, Geneva, NY. June 10, 2022.
3. Lai, P.-C., Abney, M. R., Srinivasan, R. Temporal and spatial spread of tomato spotted wilt orthotospovirus (TSWV) in peanut and its impact on yield. Peanut Rx annual meeting (virtual). December 08, 2020.
4. Lai, P.-C., Abney, M. R., Srinivasan, R. Gauging spotted wilt incidence and its contribution to yield loss in peanut production. Research Report Day to the Georgia Peanut Commission Board of Directors. Tifton, GA. February 05, 2020.
5. Lai, P.-C., Abney, M. R., Srinivasan, R. Spotted wilt disease of peanut: epidemiology and impact on yield. Peanut Rx annual meeting and retreat, George. T. Bagby State Park and Lodge, Fort Gaines, GA. December 05, 2019.

Awards and Honors

• Eastern Branch Excellence in Early Career Research Award, Entomological Society of America (2024)
• Herbert H. Ross Memorial Scholarship, Department of Entomology, University of Georgia (2020)
• Second Place President’s Prize Student Competition, 10-minute presentation, Entomological Society of America (2020)
• First Place National Peanut Board Graduate Student Poster Contest, American Peanut Research and Education Society (2020)
• Entomology Scholarship in recognition of Accomplishments as an outstanding Ph.D. student, Georgia Entomological Society (2019)
• Second Place Photo Salon Contest (biology category), Georgia Entomological Society (2019)
• Second Place C. M. Beckman Award for the best paper by a Ph.D. student, Georgia Entomological Society (2018)
• First Place C. M. Beckman Award for the best paper by a Ph.D. student, Georgia Entomological Society (2016)
• First place Academic Presidential Award, Department of Entomology, National Chung Hsing University (2009)