After 44 years of dedicated service, Howard Russell, also known as Bugman, has retired from Michigan State University. He spent the last 37 of those years as the Michigan State University (MSU) insect/arthropod diagnostician. In this role, he helped thousands of clients identify and manage arthropods over the phone, through email and Ask Extension, and by examining physical samples. He also taught entomology in the MSU Institute of Agricultural Technology. Russell took time to educate Extension Master Gardeners and other community groups. He was also a popular media presence, always available to comment on the latest scare or outbreak. His knowledge and service have had immeasurable, lasting impacts on the residents and agricultural communities of Michigan.
Starting this summer 2024, Sarah Hughson, PhD, has returned to her home state of Michigan to join MSU Plant and Pest Diagnostics as the new arthropod diagnostician. She earned her B.S. in biology from Saginaw Valley State University and her M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Illinois, focusing on western corn rootworm research. Hughson spent the last six years serving as the entomology extension specialist in the Pesticide Safety Education Program at the University of Illinois. In addition to providing expertise and training in entomology and pesticide safety, she was the liaison for structural pest control with the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Hughson’s experiences throughout her academic and professional career will be an asset to the Plant and Pest Diagnostic clients and to the students she will teach.
This story was originally published by MSU’s Plant & Pest Diagnostics.
About the MSU Innovation Center:
The MSU Innovation Center is dedicated to fostering innovation, research commercialization, and entrepreneurial activities from the research and discovery happening across our campus every day. We act as the primary interface for researchers aiming to see their research applied to solving real-world problems and making the world a better place to live. We aim to empower faculty, researchers, and students within our community of scholars by providing them with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities to bring their discoveries to the forefront.
Through strategic collaborations with the private sector, we aim to amplify the impact of faculty research and drive economic growth while positively impacting society. We foster mutually beneficial, long-term relationships with the private sector through corporate-sponsored research collaborations, technology licensing discussions, and support for faculty entrepreneurs to support the establishment of startup companies.
Is your company interested in working with MSU’s vast team of plant and insect researchers? Click Here.