Zsofia Szendrei

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Professor - Vegetable Entomology
Department of Entomology

Degrees:
Ph.D. – Entomology, Michigan State University (2005)
M.S. – Horticulture, University of Horticulture, Hungary (2001)

Bio

Dr. Zsofia Szendrei is an entomologist whose lab focuses on the ecology and management of arthropods in vegetable production. Her work emphasizes chemical ecology, biological control, habitat management and behavioral pest management, combining field and molecular approaches. She mentors students in hands-on, research-driven environments and engages them in professional activities including extension, presentations and grant writing.

Concentrations

Biological control
Chemical ecology
Insect behavior
Agroecology

Courses Taught

ENT804: Scientific Communication

Topics in scientific communication, the publication process, publication ethics and the development of scientific manuscript writing skills.

Research

Szendrei’s research addresses the sustainability challenges of pest management in conventional vegetable production, where synthetic pesticides remain predominant. Her lab develops integrated pest management strategies that combine chemical ecology and biological control to suppress insect pests while reducing chemical inputs. Her team’s work has advanced understanding of habitat traits and arthropod interactions in agroecosystems and employs innovative techniques, including molecular detection of trophic interactions, to study these dynamics.

Learn more about the Vegetable Entomology Lab here.

Extension

Szendrei’s extension efforts focus on improving vegetable production by reducing pesticide use and promoting sustainable practices. She works closely with growers, industry partners, and extension educators to identify challenges and implement practical solutions. Her outreach includes introducing degree day models, monitoring systems, and threshold-based approaches to help growers maintain high-quality, profitable crops with fewer inputs.