Indian River Research and Education Center

PASCO AVERY, Ph.D.

Biological Scientist IV

Dr. Avery leads research in the Entomopathogenic Fungi Research Laboratory, part of IRREC’s Norman C. Hayslip Biological Control Research and Containment Laboratory.

He joined IRREC in 2007 as a post-doctoral research and extension entomology fellow and continued in that position for the next 5 years. During that time, his research was instrumental in obtaining a new registration for the commercial formulation of the fungal entomopathogen, Cordyceps javanica (formerly Isaria fumosorosea), for controlling arthropod pests infesting fruiting crops throughout the United States. In 2012, he began conducting research as a Senior Biological Scientist and was recently promoted to his current position as a Biological Scientist IV.

In his current role, he is conducting research involved in applied ecology, entomology, and insect pathology, evaluating multi-trophic interactions between host plant-pest-pathogen/parasitoids from a systems approach. His work is specialized to meet crop protection and production needs for growers of tropical and subtropical crops including citrus, avocado and ornamentals.

Dr. Avery’s more than a decade of experience and knowledge for management of invasive and domestic arthropod pests of horticultural crops has included trials with vegetables, citrus and avocado trees, ornamental plants, and floriculture. To achieve his unique systems approach, he has used and applied molecular tools for determining genetic biodiversity and the presence of various entomopathogenic fungi of insects in the soil.

As a research scientist, he has both instructed and investigated the impacts and effects of chemical pesticides or biocontrol agents on target and non-target organisms. He has designed projects investigating the subsequent risk analysis and quarantine tests required prior to releasing a non-native species into a foreign environment as well as within restoration scenarios. These tasks involve the coordination of international and domestic multidisciplinary collaborative research partners.

Dr. Avery has authored or co-authored more than 60 publications appearing in peer-reviewed journals for which more than 1,000 citations collectively have been made. Additionally, he has contributed to more than 30 extension-related publications.

Education
- PhD, Birkbeck, University of London, UK, Microbiology, Insect Science, 2002
- MSc, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, Science Education, Entomology,1983
- BSc, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Lincoln, NE, Biology/Plant Science, 1976

Publications
- Research Publications

Awards and Service
- Who's Who in America, 2013-2017
- Gamma Sigma Delta
- Superior Accomplishment Award -- Nominated: University of Florida TEAMs Member, 2014
- Annual Achievement Award for Teaching K-12 (provided services to students in the Research Coast Florida Junior Academy of Science 4-H Club), 2014
- Superior Accomplishment Award -- Nominated: University of Florida TEAMs Member, 2013
- Entomologist of the Year -- Nominated: Florida Entomological Society, 2013
- Annual Achievement Award for Teaching K-12 (provided services to students in the Research Coast Florida Junior Academy of Science 4-H Club), 2012
- Annual Achievement Award for Teaching K-12 (provided services to students in the Research Coast Florida Junior Academy of Science 4-H Club), 2011