Andrew Nuss Recently Honored with NSF CAREER Award
Assistant Professor Andrew Nuss recently received a $1.17M NSF CAREER Award. Nuss is a faculty member in the Department of Agriculture, Veterinary and Rangeland Sciences within the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology, and Natural Resources at University of Nevada, Reno. Nuss’s CAREER Award project aims to develop a better understanding of insect physiology and how insects use hormones and neurotransmitters, specifically looking at Lygus hesperus the western tarnished plant bug, commonly called “Lygus bugs”. As a pest of several crops, better understanding of the western tarnished plant bug’s physiology could lead to improved tactics for the protection of our food supply. This project developed out of Nuss’ interest in insect neuropeptides and a desire to improve agriculture in Nevada. Lygus bugs impact alfalfa, an important crop in Nevada for livestock, but this pest also causes harm to many other crops. Lygus bugs can consume a wide variety of plants (over 100 documented plant species). Much of our knowledge on insect physiology is based on the study of a few insect species that are easy to work with in the lab. As researchers start to explore outside of these insects, it’s apparent that there are unique differences and nuances in other species. Studying Lygus bugs will help us understand some of these nuances among the vast diversity that exists within insects.
This CAREER project will include an educational component through the creation of an insect physiology course at the University of Nevada. Students will conduct experiments designed to answer physiological questions that are raised through the Lygus bug research project. Nuss will also be developing outreach programs with farmers and the public about insect physiology.
The Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program at the National Science Foundation supports awards to early-career faculty with the potential to serve as academic role models in research and education.
