Thursday, May 8, 2025
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM ET
Interested in advocating for entomology but not sure where to get started? Join us for a panel discussion with former Hill staff, agency leadership, and ESA Science Policy Fellows to talk about the whys and hows of engaging in advocacy.
Moderator: Jennifer Gordon
Panelists: Sonny Ramaswamy, Janae Brady, Judy Wu-Smart
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Dr. Jennifer Gordon is the Founder and Principal Entomologist at Bug Lessons Consulting. Prior to founding her own consulting firm, she worked in industry, supporting and developing personal and spatial mosquito repellents and consumer and professional mosquito control products and processes, and also worked as a seasonal mosquito control technician for her local mosquito control program. An accomplished entomologist and communicator, she was a Class of 2016 ESA Science Policy Fellow. |
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Dr. Sonny Ramaswamy was President of the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities in Redmond, WA, USA, from July 2018 to February 2025. He previously served as Director of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), as President Barack Obama’s appointee, for six years. Among other leadership positions he has held over the years he has served as Dean of Oregon State University’s College of Agricultural Sciences and of Director of Purdue University’s Agricultural Research Programs. He earned his BS and MS from the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, and received a PhD in entomology from Rutgers University. |
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Janae Brady is the Vice President of Government Affairs at American Seed Trade Association, where she has worked since early 2021. Brady previously served on staff for Chairman Pat Roberts (R-Kansas) on the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry during his time as both Chairman and Ranking Member. In this role, she advised Chairman Roberts on policy issues including international trade, agricultural research, biotechnology, crop protection and agricultural defense. A graduate of Newman University, Brady began her career as a language arts school teacher in the Wichita Public School system. |
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Dr. Judy Wu-Smart leads the Bee Lab at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Through her extension appointment, she works closely with beekeepers, growers, various industries and small businesses, gardeners, and nature enthusiasts to develop best management practices and educate about the importance of pollinators and ecosystem diversity. She has also worked closely with the Nebraska legislature on issues related to landscape ecology and bee health, and was part of the Class of 2021ESA Science Policy Fellows. |