UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Jared Ali, Dorothy Foehr Huck and J. Lloyd Huck Chair of Chemical Ecology and associate professor of entomology in the College of Agricultural Sciences, has been named director of the Penn State Center for Chemical Ecology (CCE).
The CCE, established in 2005, brings together researchers across disciplines to explore the role chemistry plays in predator-prey, parasite-host, herbivore-plant, virus-vector and intraspecific interactions. The center's research themes include managing agricultural, urban and residential pests and mitigating vector transmission of human, domestic animal and wildlife diseases. The center is comprised of faculty, postdoctoral associates and students from seven departments within the College of Agricultural Sciences and the Eberly College of Science.
"Penn State is one of the world leaders in chemical ecology, a big heavy hitter, especially with the pioneers who have been the heads of the Center for Chemical Ecology," said Ali. "When I look at the line of people who have stood before me, it means a lot to be given this opportunity to lead. This is a great center with a lot of legacy. I'm excited to take on this role."
Ali credits the previous leaders of the CCE with making his career possible, including James H. Tumlinson, Ralph O. Mumma Professor of Entomology, who died earlier this year, and Tom Baker, distinguished professor emeritus of entomology and chemical ecology.
“Professor Jared Ali will make a great director of the Center for Chemical Ecology and I am happy that he is taking the helm as my replacement. He is one of the leading young chemical ecologists in the world today. He brings a fresh and innovative outlook to the area of plant-insect interactions and is one of the most recognizable names in this area of insect chemical ecology,” said Baker. “Importantly, I know he understands the importance to our field of delivering new environmentally sound technologies and knowledge to society.”
"Jared was voted overwhelming into the role of director of the Center of Chemical Ecology by the other members of the CCE. The unanimous vote not only speaks to his research prowess but his character as well," said Andrew Read, director of the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences. "The CCE will continue to thrive under his leadership."
Under his tenure, Ali aims to expand the reach of the center and get more departments involved in chemical ecology research and establish a unified commons for overlapping research interests.
"There may be people studying something related to chemical ecology, and they just aren't aware of it yet," said Ali.
CCE offers education and training to graduate students and postdoctoral scholars through Penn State courses, international short courses, and seminars by chemical ecology experts. CCE is associated with the Penn State Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, the Penn State Institutes of Energy and the Environment, and the Penn State Schatz Center for Tree Molecular Biology. Beyond Penn state, the center is affiliated with several national and international institutes, organizations and societies.