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NEWS

Michael G. Villani receives Outstanding Service Award of the Turfgrass Council of North Carolina

Geneva, New York
March 16,  2001

by Linda McCandless 

Michael G. Villani, professor of entomology at Cornell University, received the Outstanding Service Award of the Turfgrass Council of North Carolina during the 39th Annual North Carolina Turfgrass Conference & Show, in January. Villani, who specializes in turfgrass and soil insect ecology, has worked at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, NY, since 1984. 

"For many years, Mike has exemplified the type of individual who gives much more than he
takes," said Rick Brandenburg, entomology professor at North Carolina State, who presented
the award. "He plans his program to provide the maximum benefit for the overall good of the
industry and the people who work within it rather than the individual recognition of the scientist."
He noted that "Mike has contributed significantly to turfgrass insect management in the Southeast and North Carolina in particular, through the sharing of his expertise, time, and resources to assist us in our research of white grubs and mole crickets." 

Villani and Brandenburg's strong collaborative relationship has led to their joint participation in a
number of conferences and workshops as well as co-editorship of The Handbook of Turfgrass
Insect Pests, a best-seller for the Entomological Society of America. 

Villani, who is highly regarded worldwide as a practicing entomologist, was both pleased and
surprised to receive the award. "While we do a fair amount of research in North Carolina, I was
surprised that the turfgrass professionals took notice of my efforts there," he said. 

"Mike's recent award is another testimony to the huge impact that he has had in the turf field,"
said entomology department chairman Wendell Roelofs. "His elegant research and extension
efforts are only a small part of the contributions that he makes, however. It is his unselfish
dedication to interacting with and helping others that makes his contributions both nationally and
internationally so special." Roelofs noted that Villani has the uncanny ability "to ask the right
questions; motivate, stimulate, and excite others about what they are doing and need to do; find
creative solutions to complex problems; and be sensitive and responsive to the needs of the
turfgrass clientele." 

Villani studies predator/prey and pathogen/host interactions within the soil. He has developed
unique radiographic techniques to study soil insect behavior, and developed new IPM strategies
to control the insects that invade commercial plantings as well as ornamental and urban
landscapes. 

"I became interested in studying soil insects in turf for several reasons," said Villani. "First, there
is a real need in New York to better understand insect problems in sites where the chance for
exposure to the public is great. Second, there has been a real paucity of what might be
considered more long term or fundamental research with turfgrass insects that can be
accomplished in my lab. Finally, the turfgrass entomology group is a great group to interact with
so it is natural to work with people you enjoy." 

Villani is quick to share the credit for his many accomplishments with his research group, led by
Paul Robbins and Nancy Consolie. "Without them, my world would not function," he said. He
also devotes generous amounts of time to graduate and undergraduate students, technicians,
visiting scientists, cooperators in Geneva, Cornell and around the world. 

Villani received the National Entomological Society (ESA) of America's Award for Urban
Entomology in 1997 and the Citation of Merit (their highest award) from the New York State
Turfgrass Association in 1999. He is a member of the International Turfgrass Society and the
ESA, serves on the Cornell IPM Operating Committee, is chair of the Cornell University
Community IPM Working Group, and past chair of the Cornell Ornamentals IPM Working
Group. In 1999, he was one of three authors to revise the second edition of Turfgrass Insects
of the United States and Canada, the manual of choice among golf courses from Pebble
Beach to Silver Creek. He received his B.S. in Liberal Arts from SUNY Stony Brook in 1979,
and his Ph.D. in Entomology from North Carolina State in 1984. 

Linda McCandless, Director E-mail: llm3@cornell.edu 
Communications Services Tel: 315-787-2417 
NYS Agricultural Experiment Station Fax: 315-787-2276 
Jordan Hall 30 North Street 
Geneva, NY 14456-0462 
http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu/  

Cornell University news release
N3392

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