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Research Team Members

Our research team brings together experts from across the eastern U.S. to help grape growers manage Spotted Lanternfly and Tree of Heaven using practical, science‑based solutions for vineyards.

 

With expertise in entomology, viticulture, forestry, integrated pest management, economics, and communication, our team brings together USDA ARS and university partners to advance biological control strategies against SLF for long‑term vineyard and ecosystem health.

Our outreach specialists ensure this research is translated into clear, actionable information for growers, wineries, and wine consumers.

Tracy Leskey at a computer

Tracy C. Leskey

Research Leader, Station Director, Research Entomologist

USDA-ARS, Appalachian Fruit Research Station

Elizabeth Deecher Headshot

Elizabeth Deecher

Research Technologist


Penn State University

Scott Salom Headshot

Scott M. Salom

Professor


Department of Entomology, Virginia Tech

Stefan Jaronski Headshot

Stefan T. Jaronski

Consultant and Adjunct Professor


Jaronski Mycological Consulting LLC & Virginia Tech

Scotty Yang Headshot Photo

Chin-Cheng "Scotty" Yang

Associate Professor

Department of Entomology, 

Texas A&M University


Placeholder logo of the Managing Spotted Lanternfly and Tree of Heaven Project

Torri Hancock

Biologist and Support Scientist


USDA-ARS, Appalachian Fruit Research Station

Harrison Miles Headshot

Harrison Miles

Doctoral Student


Virginia Tech

David Shapiron-Ilan Headshot

David Shapiro-Ilan

Research Leader


USDA-ARS, Southeastern Fruit and Tree Nut Research Station

Carrie Fearer Headshot

Carrie Fearer

Assistant Professor


Virginia Tech

Drew Harner Headshot

Drew Harner

Assistant Professor, Extension Specialist

Virginia Tech

Alexa Lamm Headshot

Alexa Lamm

Professor


University of Georgia

Allison Byrd Headshot

Allison Byrd

Academic Professional


University of Georgia


Brian Reuther Headshot

Brian F. Ruether

Postdoctoral Fellow


USDA-ARS

Dennis Baffour-Awuah Headshot

Dennis Baffour-Awuah

Doctoral Student


University of Georgia

Julie Urban Headshot

Julie Urban

Associate Research Professor


Penn State University

Tom Kuhar Headshot

Tom Kuhar

Professor


Virginia Tech

Stacy B. Endriss Headshot

Stacy B. Endriss

Assistant Professor of Invasive Species Research and Extension

Virginia Tech

Gigi DiGiacomo Headshot

Gigi DiGiacomo

Research Fellow


University of Minnesota

Chin-Ling Lee Headshot

Chin-Ling Lee

Assistant Professor


University of Georgia

Sehrish Gulzar Headshot

Sehrish Gulzar

Postdoctoral Scholar

USDA-ARS, Southeastern Fruit and Tree Nut Research Station


Cooper Wendley Headshot

Cooper Andrew Wendley

Master's Student


Virginia Tech

Spotted Lanternfly on a grape vine illustration

Managing Spotted Lanternfly and Tree of Heaven is made possible by USDA-ARS Areawide Program #8080-21000-001-00D.

Contact Information:

Appalachian Fruit Research Station

2217 Wiltshire Road

Kearneysville, WV 25430

Research Partners:

USDA-ARS

​Penn State University

Rutgers University

Virginia Tech

University of Georgia

University of Minnesota

© 2026 Leveraging Biological Control Agents to Simultaneously Reduce Populations of Spotted Lanternfly and Tree of Heaven at an Areawide Scale. All rights reserved.

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