07/15/2025

2025 Pi Chi Omega Scholarship Recipients

Meet The Recipients and Learn About their Research

Ben Grady, University of Kentucky
John Osmun Scholarship ($3,500)

Ben is a Ph.D. candidate in the DeVries Urban Entomology Lab at the University of Kentucky, studying under Dr. Zachary DeVries. As a graduate research assistant, he investigates behavioral responses of urban pests—including bed bugs, German cockroaches, and Turkestan cockroaches to control products, environmental factors, and various substrates. His work aims to uncover patterns in pest behavior to develop more effective management strategies.

"When I first arrived at the University of Kentucky, my advisor (Dr. Zach DeVries), told me that I should always consider how my work benefits the pest management industry. I have since taken this to heart, making sure
I incorporate this philosophy into all of my educational activities. I hope that, through my research and extension activities, I will be able to make direct changes in individual people’s lives, as well as across the industry."

Olivia Katz, University of Kentucky
Founders Endowment Scholarship ($2,500)

Olivia is a Master’s student in the DeVries Urban Entomology Lab at the University of Kentucky, studying under Dr. Zachary DeVries. Currently, she is conducting research for her M.S., focusing on the behavior and impact of urban pests—particularly cockroaches and bed bugs—on everyday human environments. Her work aims to better understand pest behaviors and develop effective strategies for mitigating allergen and public-health risks posed by these pests.

"I love the chance to interact with people who are truly novices about insects, and who may have any number of misconceptions about pest control that I can help to address. I also enjoy being able to bring out some hissing roaches and seeing the shock on people’s faces. I’m delighted when people come up who are initially scared of the large insect, but then eventually become comfortable holding it. Children are surprisingly engaged and naturally curious about these animals. I try to take advantage of this curiosity and inspire a new generation of entomologists."

Allison Lopina, University of Kentucky
Dr. Austin Frishman Scholarship ($2,500)

Allison is a Master’s student in the DeVries Urban Entomology Lab at the University of Kentucky, studying under Dr. Zachary DeVries. Having completed her bachelor’s in entomology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, she is now focused on her M.S. research investigating German cockroach foraging behavior and aggregation patterns. Her work aims to optimize bait placement and improve pest management practices in urban environments. Passionate about outreach, Allison often volunteers at extension events to connect with the public and share her enthusiasm for entomology.

"The overall goal of my career is to identify innovative IPM practices that benefit and improve our everyday well-being. My work ethic will inspire quality work and authentic, personal interactions in pest management systems. I believe that extension is a fundamental aspect within the field of entomology; it is important that we can communicate the relevance of our research to the public so they can understand how to apply our results to improve their quality of life. Getting to work with the public and explaining our work to them is an important component that I will look for in my future career path."

Jun-Yin Lum, University of Kentucky
Alain VanRyckeghem Memorial Scholarship ($2,500)

Jun-Yin is a Ph.D. candidate in the DeVries Urban Entomology Lab at the University of Kentucky, working under the mentorship of Dr. Zachary DeVries. His research focuses on one of the most persistent and problematic indoor pests: the German cockroach (Blattella germanica). Specifically, Jun-Yin is investigating the development and spread of insecticide resistance in field populations and evaluating resistance management strategies like insecticide rotations and mixtures. Jun-Yin aims to uncover how physiological, genetic, and behavioral factors influence resistance development.

"The German cockroach is not only a nuisance but a serious public health threat in urban environments. My goal is to provide pest management professionals with data-driven tools to make smarter, more sustainable treatment decisions," says Jun-Yin. "By combining empirical resistance screening, genetic tracking, and laboratory simulations, I hope to bridge the gap between theoretical models and field outcomes.”

Emily Ta, University of California, Riverside
Norm Ehmann Scholarship ($2,500)

Emily is a second-year Ph.D. student at the University of California, Riverside, where she studies urban entomology under the guidance of Dr. Chow-Yang Lee. Her research centers on the behavioral responses of German cockroaches to various insecticide formulations—including gel baits, dusts, and residual sprays—with the goal of improving treatment effectiveness in real-world settings. Emily is also exploring learning behavior and neuronal responses in cockroaches following sublethal exposure, with the aim of informing future insecticide development and application strategies. In addition to her research, Emily is deeply committed to outreach and professional development. Her passion for science communication and mentorship reflects her broader goal: to advance the pest management industry while fostering a new generation of urban entomologists.

“The importance of communicating science to professionals in the field is something I learned early on and continue to value,” Emily shares. “My research is inspired by the questions and challenges that pest management professionals face every day.”

Jin-Jia Yu, Rutgers University
R. Randall Rollins Memorial Scholarship ($2,500)

Jin-Jia is a Ph.D. student at Rutgers University whose research addresses some of the most urgent challenges in urban pest management—insecticide and rodenticide resistance, as well as the public health risks associated with ectoparasites on commensal rodents. His research on the common bed bug (Cimex lectularius) has revealed alarmingly high levels of deltamethrin resistance in field-collected strains across New Jersey, driven by both genetic and biochemical mechanisms. In addition to his work on bed bugs, Jin-Jia has also turned his attention to commensal rodents such as house mice and Norway rats, examining the genetic basis of rodenticide resistance and investigating the diversity and prevalence of ectoparasites that pose public health risks in urban environments.

"My goal is to generate research that professionals can directly apply in the field," Jin-Jia explains. "By understanding how resistance evolves and spreads, we can inform better application strategies and reduce the risk to public health."