Amanda L. P. Beaudoin

Box 7630, NC State University

Raleigh, NC 27695-7630

alparodi@ncsu.edu

To Whom It May Concern:

I am a self-motivated agricultural entomology researcher who seeks an entomologist position with opportunities to design, execute, and analyze experiments focused on the control of crop pests for a company that provides avenues for working with enthusiastic teams of researchers and for career development. I am currently employed as an Agricultural Entomology Researcher in Dr. George Kennedy’s program at North Carolina State University, where I recently completed my Ph.D. As part of my dissertation project, I studied the effects herbicide use on thrips dispersal and also determined that secondary spread of tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) by western flower thrips (WFT) can occur within tomato and pepper fields. We now understand that the importance of WFT in NC has been underestimated. My data-rich project consisting of over 40 field-study plots required that I establish and cultivate positive working relationships with commercial growers and extension personnel as well as make critical adjustments in trials that are sometimes required in dynamic environments.

My current research projects consist of 1. Determining the effectiveness of a recently developed pesticide in controlling TSWV, and 2. Development of a reduced-risk IPM system for managing thrips and TSWV in tomato and pepper. My current research requires leading logistically complex experiments and multi-disciplinary collaboration across four states and universities with a group of people ranking from professor to student helper. In addition to designing, executing and analyzing field, greenhouse, and laboratory experiments, I recently have served as the technical go-between during the development of a web-based TSWV-risk management decision tool, ensuring that our web programmers understood not only the programming and data-quality concerns of current biological models to be used with real-time data, but the program structure required to permit dynamic model changes for future needs.

I am an enthusiastic, self-motivated individual with nine years of applied research experience focused on the ecology and control of agricultural insect pests. As a senior lab member, I have been the team leader on projects regularly employing up to five people and situationally over 20 people. I enjoy mentoring student helpers, and as an instructor, have taught basic biology and ecology of key agricultural pests. In addition, the four-year Park Scholars Program, which focuses on leadership, scholarship, character, and service, has prepared me to adapt and excel as a member of diverse work environments. My research and leadership experience uniquely qualify me to excel in this position and will enable me to make substantial contributions to agricultural pest control.

Sincerely,

Amanda L. P. Beaudoin