Geneva, New York
July 17,  2001

By Peter Seem

Ping Wang has been appointed assistant professor of entomology at Cornell University, at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, in Geneva, NY. He is the first faculty member hired at
Geneva to work in genomics. His appointment was effective June 18.

"I am delighted that Ping Wang has joined the Station faculty," said Station Director James E. Hunter. "His expertise and the experience he gained while working at Boyce Thompson Institute (BTI) in Ithaca will help the Station move forward in the use of genomics and other new technologies to understand and, ultimately, control insect pests."

Wang is an entomologist with experience in insect physiology, biochemistry and molecular biology, who has done extensive work with insect digestive systems. In particular, he hopes to focus his research on the mechanisms that allow insects to resist the pathogens and pesticides that they consume along with plant material. A part of that research will be biochemical, and another part genomic. "It's mostly unknown what genes are expressed in the gut of agriculturally important insects," said Wang, "but, with modern instruments, we can take advantage of a tremendous genetic database." An avid computer user, Wang will incorporate bioinformatic analysis into his research.

Understanding the mechanisms of insect digestion helps in the development of more effective pesticides. The research could help scientists understand and combat the development of pesticide resistance in insects. Resistance often leads to more or stronger pesticide use. Wang also hopes to perform collaborative research with plant labs at Geneva to gain a more total understanding of plant/insect interactions. His position is 100 percent research.

"Dr Wang's background and skills were exactly what we were looking for," said Wendell Roelofs, the chair of the entomology department at Geneva. "We're excited that he's bringing expertise to our department and to the Station that will help carry us through the 21st century."

Wang did his undergraduate and master's work in the biology department at Fudan University, in Shanghai, China. He came to the United States in 1989 to take a research position with the BTI. In 1991, he joined Cornell's graduate school, receiving his Ph.D. from the department of entomology in 1996. He did a short post-doc with the National Institute of Health in 1997, coming back to BTI in 1998 as a post-doctoral fellow where he gained hands-on experience in genomics.

Linda McCandless, Director E-mail: llm3@cornell.edu 
Communications Services Office: 315-787-2417
NYS Agricultural Experiment Station Cell: 607-227-5920
Jordan Hall 360 North Street Fax: 315-787-2276
Geneva, NY 14456-0462
http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu/ 

Cornell University news release
N3657