New York State IPM program to be led by Alejandro Calixto

Beginning May 16, Alejandro Calixto takes over as director of New York State Integrated Pest Management following the retirement of Jennifer Grant.

Calixto brings experience with the Land Grant system and mission, having prior extension and research appointments with Texas A&M University System focused on ecology and management of urban and agricultural insect pests.

Calixto earned his doctorate from the Department of Entomology at Texas A&M University and previously served as the Research Center Leader for the Florida Research Center at Corteva Agriscience.

“Dr. Calixto will be a welcome addition to the New York State Integrated Pest Management (IPM) team, as we continue to reduce risk in agriculture and communities,” said Grant. “He brings experience from both academia and industry, including pest prediction systems and invasive species management. He will help lead our efforts in protecting pollinators, pesticide risk assessment, and providing IPM tools to farms, schools and homes across the state.”

Calixto’s appointment was initially delayed due to COVID-19, but he is already working with the NYS IPM team part-time in advance of his appointment to director.

“I am delighted to be joining the NYS Integrated Pest Management team and the Cornell AgriTech family,” he said. “This is a tremendous opportunity and responsibility for me to contribute to the State of New York and the Land-Grant University system, to work towards the adoption of ecologically-based principles and to educate the next generation of citizens on IPM practices.”

NYS IPM addresses pest management issues across the state, providing research and education to individuals, businesses, and institutions. The team works in both agricultural settings – providing outreach and conducting research on pest problems in livestock and field crops, vegetables, fruits, and ornamentals – and in urban locations, focusing on pest problems in schools, buildings, parks and homes. The program is based out of Cornell AgriTech in Geneva, New York.