November 11, 2024
Entomology distinguished alum to speak Nov. 15
Submitted by Department of Entomology
Lieceng Zhu, the 2024 Distinguished Alum by the entomology department, will present "Heat-Induced Loss of Wheat Resistance to Hessian Fly—A Student-Centered Research at Fayetteville State University" at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 15, in Room 231 of Waters Hall. The lecture is open to everyone.
Zhu studied at Kansas State University from 2002 to 2005 and earned her doctorate in entomology in 2005. She currently works as a professor of biology and forensic science at Fayetteville State University. She joined FSU in 2007 and has served as an educator, researcher and administrator. Her teaching repertoire includes courses like Principles of Genetics, Population Genetics, Advanced Genetics and Technical Writing in Forensic Science. Her research primarily explores the mechanisms of plant resistance to parasites under abiotic stress, using wheat-Hessian fly interactions as a model system. Notably, Zhu was the first to report the adverse effects of transient heat stress on wheat resistance to Hessian fly infestation.
In addition to her research, Zhu has held various leadership roles, including assistant chair for seven years and interim chair of the Department of Biological Sciences from 2014 to 2015. Her leadership emphasized student success, transparency and shared governance among faculty. Zhu is currently leading an NSF-funded project at FSU to investigate "Mechanisms of heat-induced loss of host plant resistance to insects."