ICARDA scientist wins prestigious international award

An ICARDA scientist has been awarded a prestigious international award from the International Branch of the Entomological Society of America (ESA), the largest organization in the world that serves the professional and scientific needs of entomologists and individuals in related disciplines.

Dr. Mustapha El Bouhssini, principle entomologist at ICARDA, has received the ‘Distinguished Scientist Award’ in recognition of his significant contributions to entomological research and a career devoted to sustainable agricultural research for development. He is a specialist in integrated pest management, applying cultural practices, biological control, botanical insecticides, and host plant resistance to boost the production of wheat, barley, chickpea, lentil, and fava bean. 

This is the latest in a series of awards over the past decade. This year Dr. El Bouhssini received an Award of Merit for his research in Morocco on Hessian Fly resistance in wheat from the International Plant Resistance to Insects Working Group. He has also been selected to receive the 2014 Distinguished Alum from the Department of Entomology at Kansas State University (KSU) this Fall.

These follow an International Plant Protection Award of Distinction from the International Association for Plant Protection Sciences (IAPPS) in 2007 and a CGIAR Award in 2006 that recognized Dr. Bouhssini’s efforts to apply integrated pest management techniques in the fight against Sunn Pest.

In addition to his research at ICARDA, Dr. Bouhssini is an adjunct Associate Professor at KSU in the United States where he received both his Masters and PhD degrees. This position has helped initiate a number of important collaborative projects between KSU and ICARDA: one on Hessian Fly genetics, and the other on resistance in barley to Russian wheat aphid.

During the course of his career, Dr. El Bouhssini has trained over 200 scientists and technicians from North Africa, and West and Central Area in the area of integrated pest management.        

Speaking of the Award, Dr. Mahmoud Solh, ICARDA’s Director General commented: “This prestigious recognition is due to Dr. El Bouhssini’s professional dedication, commitment and remarkable contributions to agricultural research for development. ICARDA is certainly very proud of this recognition.”