Academics University of Florida

University of Florida Gainesville, FL
Department of Entomology and Nematology

BIOGRAPHY
Rebecca Baldwin was recently awarded her Ph.D. (December 2005) from the Entomology and Nematology Department at the University of Florida. She is an extension entomologist and serves as the Co-Director of the Florida School IPM (integrated pest management) program. Rebecca’s research involves testing the toxicity of fatty acid salts on cockroach species; she also is interested in the public perceptions of insect pests and pesticide usage. Over the past five years, Rebecca has played an active roll in the pest control industry by leading CEU training sessions throughout the state. A few of the organizations she has provided training for include: Master Gardeners, NPMA, FPMA, and CPCO. Some of the topics of training have included: GHP, School IPM posting legislation, Pesticide Spill Safety, and Bed Bugs. Besides traditional classroom training, Rebecca has authored several publications for the Pest Control Industry.

The Florida School IPM program works to provide training in exclusion techniques and low toxic pest control for public schools in the state of Florida. The training sessions include: school faculty, custodians, custodial trainers, cafeteria managers and staff, and pest control technicians. The EPA and the University of Florida have recognized Rebecca for her work in School IPM and the Professional Women of Pest Management and Pi Chi Omega Pest Control Fraternity have recognized her for her work in the field of urban entomology.

EDUCATION
2001-2005 University of Florida Gainesville, FL
Ph.D. Department of Entomology and Nematology – Urban entomology

Dissertation - Public perceptions of urban pest management and the toxicity of fatty
acid salts to cockroaches

· Graduate Teaching Assistant/Instructor – responsible for teaching Principles of Entomology each semester (40-60 students). Assisted with Medical/Veterinary Entomology Lab and Insect Classification Lab.

1998 -2000 University of Louisiana at Monroe Monroe, LA
Biology /M.S.

Masters Thesis -Predator detection by damselfly larvae (Zygoptera: Coenagrionidae) from a south temperate habitat.

·         Graduate Teaching Assistant – Responsible for teaching 3-4 biology/zoology labs
       per semester.
·         Taught a web-based biology lab - Biology 120

1993-1998 Northeast Louisiana University Monroe, LA
General Studies/ Biology Honors B.A.

Honors project – Population Genetics of the Asian Ladybeetle in northeast Louisiana.

· Studied Spanish in Colombia and Mexico.

· Have completed all courses required for a teacher’s certification.

1989-1993 West Monroe High School West Monroe, LA

ORGANIZATIONS
Entomological Society of America (2001-2006)
Florida Entomological Society (Education Committee member)
CALS Teaching Technology Committee member (2003-2005)
Southeastern Branch ESA UF Student Representative (2004-2005)
Florida School IPM Advisory Board Co-Chair - (2001-2003, member 2004, 2005)
Florida School IPM School Recognition Committee member (2002, 2004)
Pi Chi Omega - Pest Control Fraternity (2002, 2003, 2004)
UF Urban Entomological Society (V. Pres. 2001, Sec. 2004)
North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (2003-2005)
The Entomology and Nematology Student Organization (Historian 2002)
College of Agriculture Council (Ag. Council) representative (Fall 2002)
North American Benthological Society
Louisiana Academy of Science
Mortar Board - Honor Society
Omicron Delta Kappa - Honor Society
Phi Kappa Phi - Honor Society
Tau Beta Sigma - National Band Service Organization

HONORS and AWARDS
ESA 1^st place Ph.D. paper competition (2005)
Professional Women of Pest Management Scholarship (2005)
EPA Award for Protecting Children’s Health (School IPM ) - (2005)
IFAS Certificate for work on School IPM Pest Press (2005)
IFAS Agricultural Women’s Club Scholarship (2004)
FES 1^st place Ph.D. paper competition (2004)
FES Student Paper Competition 2^nd Place Award (2003)
NACTA Graduate Student Teaching Award (2003)
Smithsonian/ Orkin Student Internship winner (2003)
University of Florida President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement (2002)
FDACS Research Grant $21,000 (2002)
Pi Chi Omega Scholarship for Urban Entomology Research $1500 (2002, 2003)
CALS Honors Contract Teacher recognition (June 2002)
FES Scholarship $500 (2002)
Graduate Student Council Travel Grant (2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005)
IFAS Travel Grant $200 (2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005)
FES Travel Grant and Mini-Grants $100-$200 (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005)
NLU Honors Program - graduate
Who's Who Among American College Students
Intercollegiate Honor Band member (Louisiana)