Professor
surendra.dara [at] oregonstate.edu

Office: 971-801-0384

Surendra Dara is an entomologist with more than 25 years of experience in IPM and microbial control. Throughout his career, he worked on numerous invasive and endemic species of arthropods and plant pathogens. He developed a strong research and extension program working on irrigation, nutrient management, pest and disease issues, biostimulants, and biological soil amendments to develop sustainable agricultural solutions. His research and extension covered commodities such as alfalfa, cassava, cotton, small fruits, and vegetables serving agricultural communities locally, regionally, and internationally. Dara has authored/co-authored more than 400 scientific and extension articles, which include three co-edited books, four co-edited special issues of journals, 25 book chapters, and >50 peer-reviewed journal articles. He has extensive international outreach experience training farmers in Bangladesh, Guatemala, Haiti, Kosovo, Moldova, Mozambique, Myanmar, and Zimbabwe.

At OSU

Headquarters:

OSU Main Campus

Career Links:

North Willamette Research and Extension Center

North Willamette Research and Extension Center (Extension website)

Biography

In his previous job, Surendra Dara was a Strawberry and Vegetable Crops Advisor between 2009 and 2018 and Entomology and Biologicals Advisor until January 2022 at the University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Dara primarily looked after pest management along with different aspects of research with biostimulants, biopesticides, and other biological materials in small fruits and vegetables serving San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties. As an IPM expert, he contributed to the IPM solutions of various crops grown in California. With his expertise in entomopathology, he served as a resource person for microbial control of various pests in different parts of California.

Dara has authored more than 400 scientific and extension publications that include 25 book chapters, three co-edited manuals, several peer-reviewed, trade journal, newsletter, and eJournal articles. He has delivered several presentations worldwide. He has trained strawberry and vegetable growers in Bangladesh, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Kosovo, Moldova, Mozambique, Myanmar, Transnistria, and Zimbabwe about crop production, pesticide safety, and IPM. He also lends his expertise to strawberry industries in different countries. As a principal investigator, co-principal investigator, or a collaborator of various projects, Dara has received nearly $4 million in grant funding. Dara's new IPM model has been very popular with a positive impact around the world.

Dara earned his bachelor's in agricultural sciences and master's in entomology from Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University, India. He went on to receive his doctorate in entomology from Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA. in 1995. He also obtained a post-graduate diploma in Applied Information Technology from Canada in 2001.

After receiving his doctorate, Dara served as an entomopathologist from 1996-1999 for the Plant Health Management Division, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture under the United Nations Development Program, Cotonou, Republic of Benin in West Africa. He was a post-doctoral research associate from 2003-2004 with the Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, and an independent software consultant, 2001-2003. His other work experience includes assistant project scientist, 2005-2006, with the UC Davis Department of Nematology (now the Department of Entomology and Nematology) through USDA-ARS, and quality control manager from 2006 to 2009 for Certis USA.

He served on various committees at the University of California and continues to serve Entomological Society of America (ESA), and the Association of Applied IPM Ecologists in multiple roles. He is also a Subject Editor for the Journal of Economic Entomology, and guest co-editor for the special issues of Frontiers: Entomopathogens for Sustainable Food Production, Frontiers: Advances in Induced Crop Resistance for Insect Pest Control, and International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health: Current Status, Challenges, and Prospects of Biopesticides.

Professional Accomplishments

Professional Affiliations:

Entomological Society of America

Society for Invertebrate Pathology

Association of Applied IPM Ecologists

International Society for Horticultural Science

Education:

1995 PhD in entomology, Virginia Tech

2001 Post-graduate Diploma in Applied Information Technology, Information Technology Institute, Canada

My Awards

Honors and Awards:

P-IE Recognition Award in Entomology, Presented by Entomological Society of America, 2021
Pacific Branch Excellence Integrated Pest Management, Presented by Entomological Society of America, 2020
Distinguished Achievement Award in Extension, Presented by Entomological Society of America, 2019
Pacific Branch, Disting. Achievement Award in Extension, Presented by Entomological Society of America, 2019
Western Innovator recognition, Presented by Capital Press, 2019
Central Valley Faculty Scholarly Research Award, Presented by Univ. of Phoenix, 2014
Central Valley Faculty Scholarly Research Award, Presented by University of Phoenix, 2013

My Publications

Google Scholar

ResearchGate

Publications list

Outreach and Extension

Extension Service Site Publications

(2023) Developing an Effective Research and Extension Program Dr. Surendra Dara, director of the North Willamette Research and Extension Center, shares key elements of developing an effective research and extension program. Drawing from his experience of working in India, West Africa, California, and other countries, Dr. Dara outlines the importance of assessing and anticipating the needs of farmers, developing practical solutions, delivering them effectively, and measuring their impact. He also highlights how the obervation and anticipation of needs can lead to successful solutions.
(2022) Evaluating the safety of pesticides The word "pesticide" is alarming to many people who are concerned about their well-being. But pesticides are much like the medicines we take — they are subject to strict regulations to ensure they are safe.
(2015) Spotted lanternfly: A New Invasive Pest in the United States Open-access journal article highlights the pest status, host range, and tentative management recommendations for this pest in North America. High-quality images show each stage of the insect.
(2018) Evaluating pesticide spray coverage patterns for improved efficacy A uniform and thorough coverage of pesticide spray is essential for effective pest management and also for reducing excessive pesticide use. This article summarizes research that was performed using different nozzle types and the influence of weather and operating conditions on spray coverage in strawberries.
(2021) Spotted lanternfly resources The spotted lanternfly is an invasive pest in the United States that was first detected in 2014 in Pennsylvania. It is a pest of numerous cultivated and wild hosts. It can cause serious damage to apples, grapes, stone fruit, landscape trees, and others and can be a nuisance pest in urban areas.This page offers an introduction to the pest, photos of each part of the insect's life cycle, and detailed videos for more information.