Pi Chi Omega has consistently supported me throughout my academic career, and I am grateful for their continued support as I transition from a graduate student to a professional in the pest management industry.
My research on cockroach allergens has been my focus for the past three years. More specifically, I was able to conduct research on Bla g 1 and Bla g 5, which are two allergens specific to the German cockroach. When I first started graduate school, I was unaware of how harmful these allergens could be. It shocked me that even if the cockroach infestation was managed, these allergens could continue to negatively affect people’s health.
I enjoyed being able to research how we can get these allergens out of the environment to increase the quality of life for others. My research continued to show that these allergens stay in the environment for several months. It is important that a cleanout service be done as part of the regular service or as an additional service. Simply vacuuming or scrubbing with soap and water should lower the allergens in the home. As an industry, we should not let these allergens stay in the home if we can remove them. That’s why I love pest control; I love working on problems that directly affect people.
I have also been able to present and talk about my findings. I have been lucky enough to attend multiple Entomological Society of America, University of Kentucky Pest Control Short Course, NPMAs PestWorld, and regional technical meetings. Pi Chi Omega’s scholarships have allowed me to travel and participate in these meetings. I’m grateful that the community is engaged in and receptive to my research. Reciprocally, I get to learn a variety of perspectives and topics I wouldn’t know about if I didn’t attend these meetings.
I am always trying to find new ways to make my presentations engaging. This industry is the only one I can think of where I am allowed to be creative and try new things. A highlight would be my “Intro to Cockroach Allergens” presentation, in which I used multiple GIFs from the TV show SpongeBob SquarePants to demonstrate different pest management strategies. I will continue to try to make my research approachable from different levels so it can reach as many people as possible.
One of the most exciting developments for me this year was being hired as a regional entomologist for the pest management company OPC in Louisville, KY. I was able to meet with and connect with this company during PestWorld. I will be continuing to train pest management professionals and make sure they are following best practices. This role is exciting since I can bring my academic experience to these trainings. Additionally, I can teach PMPs about concepts like cockroach allergens, which they might not have otherwise learned. I have already learned so much from working in the industry. It has provided a new set of challenges for me. I feel that I have improved not only as a scientist but also as a pest management professional. I could not have managed to achieve my dream job with the support of Pi Chi Omega.
Without Pi Chi Omega's members to give me guidance, I probably would not have pursued a career in pest control. I look forward to what the future has in store for me. I plan on giving back to the pest control industry as much as I can going forward. Thank you, Pi Chi Omega, for supporting me throughout the years as a student, scientist, and pest control professional.