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Statement of Research Interests– Barbara AMOAH
In the hush forest farming community I grew up, I saw the beauty of many insects and the
troubles they brought like sickness to people and devastation of crops in farms and barns. I was
just curious and conflicted. When I finally figured out a path in Entomology research, I have felt
at home since. My vision and dedication have gone beyond a decade, research work pursuing
more options of safe, sustainable and environmentally friendly pest control methods for
Integrated Pest Management. My research activities have been about non-chemical control
alternatives. Through my research, I challenge myself to answer questions and provide solutions
for related industries in meeting the needs of communities.
My most recent research work, 2016–2019, at South Carolina State University, is a
USDA-funded program researching the use of ozone and mating disruption techniques as
effective potential alternative pest control methods to manage stored product insect pests. I have
been evaluating the susceptibility of the life stages of the rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae, the
merchant grain beetle, Oryzaephilus mercator, and the cigarette beetle, Lasioderma serricorne,
to various doses and exposure times of ozone to establish dose-time mortality relationships. With
the mating disruption studies, our findings have established that a disruption event in the
cigarette beetle, which results in females going unmated, reduces egg-laying and ultimately the
overall population is reduced or goes extinct. We have 7 publications regarding the findings of
our work. Through the program, I recruited, mentored and trained 15 undergraduate students, 5
of which have gone into graduate studies and the rest soon to graduate.
Between 2012 and 2016, during my Ph.D. program at Kansas State University, I was
involved in a USDA grant program, to determine and establish one or more effective alternatives
to methyl bromide fumigation to prevent and control infestations of the ham mite, Tyrophagus
putrescentiae, in commercial dry-cured ham facilities and in other high-value food processing
industries. I was responsible for the research on monitoring populations of the ham mite, traps
for the mites, orientation behavior of the mites, and sampling techniques toward developing IPM
programs for the mite. I developed a trap to effectively detect and monitor mites’ populations in
commercial ham facilities. I investigated factors influencing mites’ orientation and I developed
sampling plans for the mites. My monitoring-based studies is helping ham facilities managers
make decisions as to where to deploy traps and when to implement a management method based
on the trap capture and sampling outcomes. I studied the efficacy of some GRAS compounds as
alternatives to protect country hams from mites. Combined with results from other collaborators,
a special fabric netting to hang and protect hams from mites during the aging process was created
with patent pending.
I also investigated biological control as a method to control the two-spotted spider mite,
Tetranychus urticae on lima bean plants using the predatory mite, Phytoseiulus persimilis. We
determined the effect of plant spacing and predator-prey ratio on dispersal and foraging
efficiency of the predatory mite on the two-spotted spider mite. Our findings suggested that point
releases of the predatory mite at the standard 1:10 predator–prey ratio should be effective where
pots with plants are touching. However, if gaps in plant rows exist, even large numbers of
predators may not be sufficient to protect parts of the crop unless predators are released at shorter
fixed points within the crop.
At the Natural Resources Institute of the University of Greenwich, United Kingdom
between 2009 and 2010, I researched the effect of selected pesticidal plants: Tephrosia vogelii,
Tephrosia candida, Tithonia diversifolia, and Vernonia amygdalina on two major pests of
cowpea: the legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata and the cowpea bruchid, Callosobruchus
maculatus. The identification of some of the plants I evaluated as being effective on the cowpea
pests will account for a reduction in the use of synthetic chemicals on cowpea and many other
crops and the associated negative environmental impacts especially where pesticide pollution is
on the increase. The results of our research which was published in the Journal of Agricultural
and Food Chemistry have influenced many scientific researches considering the number of times
our findings have been cited, 55 times.
From 2006–2009 during my graduate studies for my Masters, at University of Science
and Technology, I investigated the insecticidal activity of a local plant, Thevetia peruviana, on
the major insects of cowpea. My research was the first to investigate T. peruviana on cowpea
insect pests: aphids, Aphis craccivora, Flower thrips, Megalurothrips sjostedti, legume pod
borer, M. vitrata, pod sucking bugs including the coreid bugs, Anoplocnemis curvipes and the
spiny brown bug, Clavigralla spp, and the cowpea bruchid, C. maculatus. Our findings
indicated that T. peruviana extracts could replace synthetic chemicals used in managing insect
pests of cowpea.
During my undergraduate studies, I investigated the generic status of the stored product
insect pest, C. maculatus. My task was to find out whether space (distance) had caused any form
of generic variation, resulting in the development of ecotypes within the cowpea seed beetle.
Though I have not written grant applications for research and programs funding, my
qualifications, experiences, and achievements over the years, alongside my associate degrees in
Financial Management and Human Resource Management, have all together positioned me to be
a strong candidate for research grants if I am offered a position that qualifies me to write for
grants. I must add that I have written and won some grants for some charity programs I advance.
I have had training and worked in research institutions reputable in Africa, Europe and
here in the United States. I am strongly positioned to build new global research collaborations
and partnerships for my department. My track record, relationship with the researchers in these
institutions, and the kind of researchers who have been citing my co-authored publications are
strong evidence to this.
With pests responding to environmental changes, an expert has to continuously study
their pests of interests, and I aim to continuously develop my knowledge and skills to respond to
new challenges, research discoveries, ideas and technologies. I approach work with new
questions. I have a curious and open mind, with an interest to explore new frontiers utilizing my
passion, skills and knowledge, in line with my vision. I desire to recruit, mentor, and train
students. I desire to make research understandable to diverse audience, and to improve the
movement of successful research from lab to field.
Statement of Extension Interests– Barbara AMOAH
I have spent most of my academic training and career in research. I have had minimal
experiences in extension, but I have a very strong interest in extension because I desire to be
actively involved and to witness the side that deals with “sales” and application of research
findings, which will effectively help me improve as a researcher.
As a researcher, who is an active journal reviewer, who has presented several research
findings and information at conferences and to students, I am already well positioned to
effectively recommend or sell products and solutions coming from scientific research work to
industries and communities.
I have a passion for experiencing new frontiers, so I am lased up for travels to different
fields or markets to get research outcomes working for communities and industries.
From 2012–2016, during my Ph.D. studies, I travelled to commercial facilities in
different towns to sell our lab studies outcome to them, not for commercial benefits, but to
enable us gain their cooperation to conduct effective research in real-time environment. I
developed a prototype trap and sampling plans for monitoring populations of arthropod pests in
commercial cured-ham, grocery and pet food facilities. Together with my supervisor, we
managed to sign up some commercial facilities. This enabled us to transfer this knowledge and
research findings to industry. They and additional ones have subsequently happily adopted and
implemented some of my research findings. An example is the use of the prototype trap I
invented that maximizes the capture of ham mite, which eventually has resulted in a commercial
trap provider adapting it for commercial production. Another example is the sampling plans for
monitoring populations of ham mite which I invented. This is helping facilities managers to
fumigate when needed instead of on scheduled time.
From 2005–2009, I was involved in farmers education in Ghana, Africa. My work took
me to the farms, where I persuaded farmers to adopt methods identified out of research, in their
farms. Over 90% of the farmers I dealt with were illiterates, but I was able to effectively gain
their trust, got them to change their ways and go with what I have come to promote, and take
them through the process of implementation. Farmers saw higher yields and lesser damage
during storage. Some of the new methods I promoted to them were new methods of fertilizer
applications, crop spacing, and new methods of pest control.
I am motivated and committed to making research findings more accessible,
understandable and adopted by industry and communities. My ultimate goal in extension is to
communicate research of mine and others to stake-holders and policy-makers to provide the most
benefit to those that need it.
TEACHING PHILOSOPHY AND STATEMENT – BARBARA AMOAH
If I have any established philosophies of teaching, it is that I must treat each of my class
as a wholesome unit yet personalize teaching to suit each student. Thus, I must enter into a new
class with an open mind, and a genuine interest to first know who my students are and what they
know directly or remotely about what I am going to be teaching them. And to consistently make
them understand that the end goal in learning what I teach them is not just to make them experts
in knowing it, but also for them to become problem solvers using their expertise. The latter, I
derive from my experience as a researcher who has notable success considering my publications
and the citations they have attracted from other scientists.
It is my personal belief that every student enters a class with the objective to learn
something new, to understand better what they have encountered and with the expectation that
the teacher is the best helper. But I have been a student before, and with these same objectives
and expectations, I will walk out of a class disappointed and my interest reduced to how to pass
the exams. And there are classes I will walk out so eager to return, an interest beyond passing an
exam. I have strived to be a teacher whose presentation enables the students feel and connect the
relevance of what is taught to their current and future interests. One way I approach this is by
building a conversation that starts from something they are very familiar with, leading it into the
reason why learning what they have to learn with me is relevant. For instance, in introducing
students to the stored product insect pest, the rice weevil, I start off by asking them their favorite
cereals for breakfast, track back to what it is made from through discussions, and challenge them
to imagine if the grain is infested by a pest, what kind of cereal it will be, and how they can only
get a better cereal if they know the pest so well, for instance its lifecycle, so they can figure out
how to keep it out of their favorite cereal.
It is important for me to make my students know I am keen to learn about what they
know, I value their knowledge and I am there to work with them to enrich it. Sometimes, it is by
asking basic questions and building my introduction on their answers. Sometimes it is by
introducing the subject in a way to spark their curiosity and build the lectures through their
curious questions. It is about creating an interactive learning environment where they are
encouraged to be inquisitorial, to question everything and to attempt to answer their own
questions and that of others.
I believe effective communication is an utmost asset as a teacher. I also believe that
effective communication is not only about how you learn to present a course, but more
importantly, how you foremost learn who your audience is, and out of that determine the most
effective communication method. I strive consistently to be faster and wittier when it comes to
learning who my students are. So, I keep an open mind and plan different delivery methods for
different possible audience. This helps me individualize the approach to learning for different
group of students of my class.
I started my classroom experience as a teacher very early in my life. After high school, I
was recruited and trained for a teaching job in an elementary school. After my undergraduate
degree, I was recruited as a Teaching and Research Assistant in the same University. When I
went to the United Kingdom for a postgraduate degree, I had a teaching job at a high school.
During my Ph.D. degree at Kansas State University, I taught graduate and undergraduate classes.
As a Postdoctoral Research Associate at South Carolina State University, I have been teaching
undergraduate classes. There are challenges in effort to engage students but one thing that helps
is the relationship you build with your students, one that makes them feel respected and attracts
their respect, one that projects discipline and sense of purpose but in an atmosphere where the
students enjoy the teaching and value its importance simultaneously.
I have made it a point to consistently improve myself and my teaching skills. Guest
lecturers and field trips are some of the opportunities for me to observe how my students respond
to different methods and environments. Sitting in lectures of other teachers, attending various
conference presentations, are additional opportunities I utilize. Questions my students ask shape
my approach to the next lecture. With a comments box in my class, I encourage my students to
evaluate me and comment on my teaching methods. I invite my peers to sit in my class when
they can, and give me their criticism, not the praise. At the beginning of the semester, I have my
students fill out a pre-evaluation form as a starting point for me to know their expectations and
learning styles. I ask for evaluation at the end of the semester.
In my class, I have included the use of a combination of hands-on learning, group
assignments, guest lecturers, field trips, take-home assignments, reading assignments, class
presentations, and announced and unannounced tests and quiz. I am always happy and curious to
discover new approaches I can add on. The end goal is to be a teacher who raises the curiosity
and solidifies the passion of her students to produce out of them future scientists who impact our
world.
STATEMENT OF TEACHING INTERESTS – BARBARA AMOAH
I mentioned in my Teaching Philosophy and Statement document attached to this one that
I utilize a combination of the following in my class; hands-on learning, group assignments, guest
lecturers, field trips, take-home assignments, reading assignments, class presentations, and
announced and unannounced tests and quiz.
I will be grateful if given the opportunity to teach courses that will spark and build the
interests and curiosity of students on the need for responsible pest management, preparing them
for scientific research or the job market. I come with an open mind and a passion to contribute to
enrich what students get from the courses I will be assigned to teach. Knowing the module of
each course I am assigned to teach, I shall offer suggestions if need be and whole-heartedly serve
the students and the department following approved module.
I have experience teaching postgraduate classes at Kansas State University. The courses I
taught are Biological control and Insects of Stored Products.
The Biological Control course that I taught went into the theory and practice of biological
control with an emphasis on natural enemies of insect pests. The course also discussed the
relationship and importance of insect ecology and integrated pest management to biological
control. It prepared the students for practical hands-on experience in managing pests with
biological agents such as predators, parasitoids, and pathogens. Specific activities I undertook
with students during this course were group discussions of various topics and carrying out
biological control experiments in the greenhouse. Findings of the experiments were published in
the Journal of Biocontrol Science and Technology.
The Insects of Stored Products course I taught dealt with the biology, ecology, and
behavior of stored product insects and current practices involved in their control in stored grains
and other commodities, and best practices to prevent pest infestations. Students were equipped
with knowledge of various pests of stored products and the control methods that are effective for
these pests. Some activities I undertook with students during the course were identification of
common stored product pests, discussing the life cycles and subsequent damage caused by these
pests. Students also got to lead discussion sessions on topic(s) assigned to them.
I have taught undergraduate classes in South Carolina State University, Kansas State
University and the University of Science and Technology in Ghana. I have taught the following
courses: Plant Physiology, Botany, Agricultural Entomology, Insect Pest Management, Insect
Ecology, Plant Pathology, General Entomology, and Economic Entomology.
In Plant Physiology and Botany, students familiarized themselves with interactions
involved in photosynthesis, plant structure, growth and development, plant movement, responses
of plants to environmental factors, plant taxonomy and other aspects of plant biology. Other
courses I taught discussed concepts in Entomology including but are not limited to economic
thresholds, sampling plans, plant resistance to insects, pest control methods, and pesticide and
resistance management.
If the department has interest and the need arises, there are other courses I believe I am
competent and prepared to teach students.
At the post-graduate level at Kansas State University, I was prepared to also handle the
following courses I took: Advanced Integrative Behavioral Ecology, Insect Taxonomy, Insect
Ecology, Insect Physiology, Molecular Entomology, and Insect Pest Management.
At the post-graduate level, I took the following courses at the University of Greenwich in
England which I believe I am well prepared to teach if need be: Conservation Ecology, GIS and
Remote Sensing for Natural Resources, Tools for Sustainability, Climate Change and Ecological
Foot printing, and Environmental Impact Assessment.
From the University of Science and Technology in Ghana, I took the following courses
which I also can teach if need be: Soil Science, Crop Production, Weed Science, Plant Disease
Control, and Animal Production (poultry, swine, cattle, sheep and goats).
As I have already demonstrated in my Teaching Philosophy and Statement document, I
have strived to be a teacher whose presentation enables the students feel and connect the
relevance of what is taught to their current and future interests.
DIVERSITY STATEMENT – BARBARA AMOAH
I am uniquely qualified to encourage, promote and present diversity for this noble
institution. Firstly, I am a woman, secondly, I am a black race, thirdly, I am an immigrant,
fourthly, I was born and raised in a poor rural community, fifthly, I have studied in universities
and worked in three different continents, sixthly, I have held jobs from the least servant to a
manager and lastly I have broken the barriers to be a globally known scientist with contributions
valued by the scientific community of entomologists. I am very passionate and committed to the
promotion of diversity partly because of who I am and partly because of experiences.
A popular native food called fufu is dipped in soup and swallowed. To us, the natives, it
tastes so good, but trying the same soup with different servings that we can chew and experience
the taste better, it does not taste as good as the fufu which is swallowed. People from my
community, couldn’t really tell why. It took someone who is not from the country nor the race, to
taste and offer the most persuasive reason that still exists today, “I think it is because fufu does
not interfere with the taste of the soup!”, she stated after trying variety of dishes.
I share this story because it is one of the magics diversity brings. The same kind of people
most of the time have the same viewpoint or oversight, so ideas are not robustly challenged for
the very best idea to emerge. Worst-of, sometimes the wrongs remain unknown. So as scientists
and institutions solving problems and training generational problem solvers, diversity is an
indispensable weapon and we must be interested in promoting and improving diversity.
I have been promoting literacy in some rural communities in Africa, including the
community in which I was born and raised. I was awarded a Phi Kappa Phi Literacy Project
grant to support my initiative. In middle schools where a great percentage of girls drop out, my
project was able to promote retention and encourage better academic results for the girls. In these
communities, poor already, they say the place for a girl is at the kitchen, I am inspiring the girls
and young women with my own story, mentoring some, providing study, career, feminine health
advice, guidance and materials to help them achieve academic excellence and break the barriers.
Between 2012 – 2016 when I was a student at Kansas State University, KSU, I got deeply
involved in activities and programs that gave me the opportunity to speak to people of lesser
representation, provide guidance, encouragement and sometimes support. Some programs are,
Open House and Family Day events where I talked to prospective students, parents and children
from all backgrounds about the prospects in KSU in general and Entomology in particular.
In my years at Kansas State University, I joined the American Association of University
Women, AAUW, and served as the Newsletter Coordinator. Through newsletters, we provide
women inspiration news, advice and information to empower, support and encourage female
university students and staff, and also attract more women to join the university community.
In my years of service to the Historically Black, Predominantly Undergraduate South
Carolina State University, I have served as a Freshman Care Center Advisor. I took a role in
student retention, encouraging students and providing necessary assistance to reduce the dropout
rates. Working with mostly First-Generation College students, I employed and mentored some of
them in my lab. I am proud to say some of my mentees and student employees have gone on to
pursue graduate studies in other institutions. I have worked with students under the Minorities in
Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences, MANNRS.
It is my passion and part of my conviction, so, I will continue serving in any identifiable
area in the academic community, to promote diversity, using my personal experiences to
encourage those challenged, and my knowledge to influence the creation of a fair and equitable
system that attracts people from diverse backgrounds and identities, including least represented
groups. I will work to pursue funds and programs to actively recruit, train and mentor women
and minority-race students. I am also interested in building research collaboration with
institutions in other places different from the environment and community my research team and
students are familiar with.
In conclusion, to me, diversity is not an act of kindness to give underrepresented people a
chance. Diversity is an indispensable weapon needed to robustly enrich the solutions and ideas
we create, by training and including the skills, knowledge and perspectives of underrepresented
people.
Curriculum vitae - Barbara A. Amoah April 2019 Page 1 of 10
Curriculum Vitae
Barbara A. Amoah, Ph. D.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 785-320-0697
EDUCATION
Ph.D. in Entomology, 2016
• Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
• Dissertation: Monitoring populations of the ham mite, Tyrophagus putrescentiae
(Schrank) (Acari: Acaridae): research on traps, orientation behavior, and sampling
techniques. GPA 4.0
M.S. in Crop Protection, 2011
• Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana
• Thesis: Efficacy of ethanolic extract of Thevetia peruviana (pers.) K. Schum. root in the
control of major insect pests of cowpea, Vigna unguiculata
M.S. in Natural Resources, 2010
• The University of Greenwich, Chatham, England
• Thesis: Efficacy of some selected pesticidal plants on Maruca vitrata (Lepidoptera:
Pyralidae) and Callosobruchus maculatus (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) of cowpea, Vigna
unguiculata
Diploma (Associate Degree) in Financial Management, 2009
• Institute of Commercial Management, Bournemouth, England (Distinction)
Diploma (Associate Degree) in Human Resource Management, 2009
• Institute of Commercial Management, Bournemouth, England (Credit)
B.S. in Agriculture (Honors Degree), 2006
• Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
• Thesis: The generic status of Callosobruchus maculatus (F) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae)
from two agro-ecological zones of Ghana
Curriculum vitae - Barbara A. Amoah April 2019 Page 2 of 10
RESEARCH WORK
Postdoctoral Research Associate, April 2016–March 2019
Department of Biological and Physical Sciences, South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, SC
I managed the lab, prepared lab sessions, and graded lab and lecture assignments. I
investigated the use of ozone and mating disruption techniques as potential alternative
methods to manage stored product insect pests. The focus was on the rice weevil,
Sitophilus oryzae, the cigarette beetle, Lasioderma serricorne, and the merchant grain
beetle, Oryzaephilus mercator, because they are increasingly becoming more difficult to
control. This is partly because of the ban of methyl bromide, and partly the development
of resistance. These pests are major pests of whole grains such as wheat, corn, barley,
oats, rice and legumes, processed foods, grain-based products, and dried fruits and nuts.
Graduate Research Assistant, January 2012–April 2016
Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
Collaborations with other entomologists, food scientists and agricultural economists at
Kansas State University, Mississippi State University and Oklahoma State University.
The long-term goal of the project was to work with the food industry to determine and
establish one or more effective alternatives to methyl bromide fumigation to prevent and
control infestations of the ham mite, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, in commercial dry-cured
ham facilities and in other high-value food processing industries.
Graduate Student, September 2009–September 2010
Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, Chatham, U.K.
In Africa, the harsh economic realities, caused by low productivity and the removal of
government subsidies on agricultural goods including importation of pesticides, and the
dangers associated with the use of these pesticides, have increased the need to explore
and develop new sources of chemical compounds from plants which are non-toxic,
biodegradable, and environmentally benign. With the Natural Resources Institute (NRI),
of the University of Greenwich, United Kingdom, my task was to study the effects of
selected pesticidal plants on cowpea pests. In Africa, it is estimated that approximately
200 million people consume cowpea.
Teaching and Research Assistant, October 2006–September 2009
Faculty of Agriculture, University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
Because of the many insect pests that attack and damage the cowpea crop on the field and
in store, the growers in Africa misuse and abuse many synthetic insecticides in the
attempt to control the devastation of the pests. This has yielded problems including
resistance. These problems necessitated the search for safer effective alternatives.
Undergraduate Student (Final Year), 2006
Faculty of Agriculture, University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
During my undergraduate studies, I investigated the generic status of the stored product
insect pest, Callosobruchus maculatus. This was necessary to guide plant breeders and
crop protectionists in Ghana to develop zone specific varieties and control measures for
the pest.
Curriculum vitae - Barbara A. Amoah April 2019 Page 3 of 10
TEACHING WORK
Postdoctoral Research Associate, April 2016–March 2019
South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, SC
I gave lectures and lab on Plant Physiology to undergraduate students.
Research Assistant, January 2012–April 2016
Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
I gave lectures and lab in Biological Control and Insects of Stored Products to graduate
students. And for the undergraduate, I handled Economic Entomology and General
Entomology.
Instructor, October 2006–September 2009
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana
I gave lectures and labs in Botany, Plant Physiology, Agricultural Entomology, Insect
Pest Management, Insect Ecology, Nematology, and Plant Pathology to undergraduate
students. I assisted senior year students in their projects and dissertations/theses
EXTENSION WORK
Research Assistant, January 2012–April 2016
Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
I travelled to commercial facilities in different towns to promote our lab research findings
to facilities managers, to gain their corporation to implement and evaluate our research in
their facilities. I subsequently travelled to collect data and do assessments.
Student and later Research Assistant, July 2005– September 2009
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana
I was involved in farmers’ education in Ghana, Africa. My work took me to the farms,
where I persuaded farmers to adopt methods identified out of research, in their farms.
COMMUNITY SERVICE AND OUTREACH
Journal Peer Reviewer
1. Biological Control
2. Crossing Borders
3. Journal of Economic Entomology
4. Journal of Medical Entomology
5. Journal of Stored Product Research
Service to Professional Associations
1. Secretary and Treasurer, International Association of Black Entomologists, 2017 to date
2. Volunteer, Entomological Society of America National Meeting, Minneapolis, MN,
USA, 2015
Curriculum vitae - Barbara A. Amoah April 2019 Page 4 of 10
3. Volunteer, Entomological Society of America Branch Meeting, Manhattan, KS, USA,
2015
4. Volunteer, Entomological Society of America National Meeting, Knoxville, TN, USA,
2012
Service to Universities
1. Freshman Care Center Advisor, South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, SC, USA,
2017–2019
2. Member, Insect Zoo Committee, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA, 2015–
2016
3. Treasurer, Popenoe Entomology Club, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
2014–2015
4. Member, Department of Entomology Awards Committee, Kansas State University,
Manhattan, KS, USA, 2013–2014
5. Secretary, Popenoe Entomology Club, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
2013–2014
6. Department of Entomology Representative, Graduate Student Council, Kansas State
University, Manhattan, KS, USA, 2013–2014
Service to other Associations
1. Board Chair, Sem Fronteiras Charity Organization, Ghana, 2015 to date
2. Newsletter Coordinator, American Association of University Women, Manhattan Branch,
Manhattan, KS, USA, 2013–2016
ACADEMIC, PROFESSIONAL AND SCHOLARLY SOCIETIES
1. Entomological Society of America
2. International Association of Black Entomologists
3. American Association of University Women
4. The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi
5. American Association for the Advancement of Science
SCHOLARSHIPS, AWARDS, AND HONORS
1. Outstanding Journal Reviewer for the Journal of Stored Product Research, 2018
2. President Prize, Second Place for Poster Presentation at the 25th International Congress of
Entomology, Orlando, FL, USA, September 2016
3. Recognized Journal Reviewer for Biological Control, 2016
4. Graduate Professional Development, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA,
2016
5. Fellow, United States Borlaug Summer Institute on Global Food Security, Purdue
University, West Lafayette, IN, USA, June 2015
Curriculum vitae - Barbara A. Amoah April 2019 Page 5 of 10
6. Fred Clute Scholarship for Research in Integrated Pest Management, Kansas State
University, Manhattan, KS, USA, 2015
7. International Coordinating Council Scholarship for Underrepresented Populations,
Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA, 2015
8. The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi Literacy Grant, 2015
9. Graduate Teaching Assistant Achievement in Professional Development, Kansas State
University, Manhattan, KS, USA, 2015
10. Graduate Professional Development, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA,
2015
11. PepsiCo/New York Academy of Sciences “Journey through Science” Event, NYC, NY,
USA, December 2014
12. Floyd Holmes Scholarship for Applied Research Addressing Practical Problems. Kansas
State University, Manhattan, KS, USA, 2014
13. President’s Prize, Second Place for Poster Presentation, Entomological Society of
America National Meeting, Portland, OR, USA, 2014
14. Graduate Student Council Travel Awards for Professional Development Events, Kansas
State University, Manhattan, KS, USA, Fall 2012, Summer 2014, and Fall 2014.
15. The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi Love of Learning Award, 2013
16. President’s Prize, Third Place for Oral Presentation, Entomological Society of America
Branch Meeting, Rapid City, SD, USA, 2013
17. United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID), Commonwealth
Shared Scholarship for M.S. Degree, through the University of Greenwich, England
(2009–2010)
PUBLICATIONS
Articles in Refereed Journals
1. Amoah, B., and R. Mahroof. 2019. Ozone as a potential fumigant for the control of
Sitophilus oryzae (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in wheat. Journal of Economic
Entomology , toz071, https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toz071
2. Amoah, B. A., R. M. Mahroof, A. R. Gerken, and J. F. Campbell. 2019. Effect of
delayed mating on longevity and reproductive performance of Lasioderma serricorne
(Coleoptera: Anobiidae). Journal of Economic Entomology, 112: 475–484
3. Amoah, B., and R. Mahroof. 2018. Susceptibility of the life stages of cigarette beetle,
Lasioderma serricorne (F.) (Coleoptera: Anobiidae) to ozone. Journal of Stored Product
Research, 78:11–17
4. Mahroof, R., B. Amoah, and J. Wrighton. 2018. Efficacy of ozone against the life
stages of Oryzaephilus mercator (Coleoptera: Silvanidae). Journal of Economic
Entomology 111: 470–481
5. Amoah, B., D. Hagstrum, B. Subramanyam, J. Campbell, M. W. Schilling, and T.
W. Phillips. 2017. Sampling methods to detect and estimate populations of Tyrophagus
Curriculum vitae - Barbara A. Amoah April 2019 Page 6 of 10
putrescentiae (Schrank) (Sarcoptiformes: Acaridae) infesting dry-cured hams. Journal of
Stored Product Research 73: 98–108
6. Amoah, B., M. W. Schilling, and T. W. Phillips. 2017. Physical factors influencing
capture of Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) (Acari: Acaridae) with food-baited traps.
Journal of Insect Behavior 30: 544–562
7. Amoah, B., M. W. Schilling, and T. W. Phillips. 2016. Monitoring Tyrophagus
putrescentiae (Acari: Acaridae) with traps in dry-cured ham aging rooms. Environmental
Entomology 45: 1029–1039
8. Abbar, S., B. Amoah, M. W. Schilling, and T. W. Phillips. 2016. Efficacy of selected
food-safe compounds to prevent infestation of the ham mite, Tyrophagus putrescentiae
(Schrank) (Acarina: Acaridae), on southern dry cured hams. Pest Management Science
72: 1604–1612
9. Amoah, B., J. Anderson, D. Erram, J. Gomez, A. Harris, J. Kivett, K. Ruang-Rit, Y.
Wang, L. Murray, and J. Nechols. 2016. Plant spatial distribution and predator-prey
ratio affect biological control of the two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae (Acari:
Tetranychidae) by the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis (Acari: Phytoseiidae)
Biocontrol Science and Technology 26: 548–561
10. Zhao, Y., S. Abbar, B. Amoah, T. W. Phillips, and M. W. Schilling. 2016. Controlling
pests in dry-cured ham: A review. Meat Science 111: 183–191
11. Belmain, S. R., B. A. Amoah, S. P. Nyirenda, J. Kamanula, and P. C.
Stevenson. 2012. Highly variable insect control efficacy of Tephrosia vogelii
chemotypes. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 60: 10055–10063
Non-refereed Publications, Proceeding Papers, Patent Applications
1. Mahroof, R., and B. Amoah. 2018. Toxic effects of ozone on selected stored product
insects and germ quality of germinating seeds. pp. 591–595. Proceedings of the 12th
International Working Conference on Stored Product Protection Berlin, Germany.
October 7–11, 2018
2. Mahroof, R., B. Amoah, A. Gerken, and J. Campbell. 2018. Effect of delayed mating
on reproductive performance of Lasioderma serricorne (F.) (Coleoptera: Anobiidae). pp.
117–122. Proceedings of the 12th International Working Conference on Stored Product
Protection Berlin, Germany. October 7–11, 2018
3. Schilling, M. W, B. Amoah, S. Abbar, T. Phillips, Y. Zhao, and Y. Campbell. 2018.
Compositions of food grade coatings to control pest infestations and methods of
applications. Attorney Docket No. 2015.0953 US Patent in Submission
4. Mahroof, R., B. Amoah, and J. Wrighton. 2018. Acute and delayed toxicity effects of
ozone on the internal and external feeders of stored products. pp. 147–156. Proceedings
of the Conference of the International Organization for Biological Control, Working
Group on Integrated Protection of Stored Products Ljubljana, Slovenia. July 3–5, 2017
Curriculum vitae - Barbara A. Amoah April 2019 Page 7 of 10
5. Phillips, T. W., S. Abbar, B. Amoah, J. Maille, Y. L. Campbell, Y. Zhao, X. Zhang,
and M. W. Schilling. 2017. Status of IPM for ham mites: prevention, monitoring,
decision-making, and control. pp. 62-1 – 62-3. Annual International Research Conference
on Methyl Bromide Alternatives and Emissions Reductions. November 13-15, 2017
6. Schilling, M. W., Y. Zhao, Y. Campbell, T. W. Phillips, S. Abbar, and B. Amoah.
2015. Infusion of food-grade coatings with propylene glycol into ham nets to control pest
infestations. Attorney Docket No. 2015.0953 PROV. US Patent in Submission
7. Abbar, S., B. Amoah, Y. Zhao, Y. Campbell, M. W. Schilling, and T, Phillips. 2015.
Food-safe coatings to prevent infestations of the ham mite on dry cured hams. pp. 41-1 to
41-2. Annual International Research Conference on Methyl Bromide Alternatives and
Emissions Reductions, San Diego, CA, November 8–10, 2015
8. Amoah, B., S. Abbar, M. Wes Schilling, and T. Phillips. 2015. Ham mite IPM:
monitoring, prevention, and mitigation as methyl bromide alternatives. pp. 42-1 to 42-2.
Annual International Research Conference on Methyl Bromide Alternatives and
Emissions Reductions, San Diego, CA, November 8–10, 2015
9. Amoah, B., M. W. Schilling, and T. W. Phillips. 2013. Trapping the ham mite,
Tyrophagus putrescentiae, with a food bait: Toward a monitoring tool for IPM. pp. 4–6.
Proceedings of the international research conference on methyl bromide alternatives and
emissions reductions. San Diego, California, November 4–6, 2013.
10. Amoah, B., M. W. Schilling, and T.W. Phillips. 2012. IPM as an alternative for the
ham mite, Tyrophagus putrescentiae: monitoring with traps. pp 45-1. Annual
International Research Conference on Methyl Bromide Alternatives and Emissions
Reductions. November, Orlando, FL, November 6–8, 2012
11. Zhao, Y., T. W. Phillips, M. J. Aikins, S. Abbar, B. Amoah, W. B. Mikel, and M. W.
Schilling. 2012. Sensory evaluation and pest mortality of dry cured ham fumigation with
phosphine in a simulated aging house. pp 6–8. Annual International Research Conference
on Methyl Bromide Alternatives and Emissions Reductions. November, Orlando, FL,
November 6–8, 2012
12. Phillips, T. W, M. Hasan, M. J. Aikins, S. Abbar, and B. Amoah. 2012. Non-chemical
treatments for potential disinfestation of two major arthropod pests of southern dry-cured
hams. pp. 542. In: Navarro S, Banks H. J., Jayas D. S., Bell C. H., Noyes R. T., Ferizli A.
G., Emekci M., Isikber A. A., Alagusundaram K., [Eds.] Proceedings of the 9th
International Conference on Controlled Atmosphere and Fumigation in Stored Products,
Antalya, Turkey, October 15–19, 2012, ARBER Professional Congress Services, Turkey
Presentations
Invited Presentations
1. Amoah, B. and R. Mahroof. 2018. Effects of ozone on stored product insects on various
commodities. Oral presentation at the Stored Products Entomology Member Symposium:
Sharing ideas and food: stored product pest control across interdisciplinary and
Curriculum vitae - Barbara A. Amoah April 2019 Page 8 of 10
geographic borders. Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America,
Vancouver, BC, Canada, November 11–14, 2018
2. Amoah, B., J. Wrighton, K. Kern, V. Fernandez-Davila, and R. M. Mahroof. 2017.
Ozone as a potential alternative for management of stored product insect pests. Member
Symposium: Stored Products Entomology: Innovative approaches for integrated insect
pest management, Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America, Denver,
CO, November 4–9, 2017
3. Amoah, B. 2017. Monitoring and management of stored product insect and mite pests.
Seminar Series, Department of Biology, Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC, February 1,
2017
Other Presentations
Oral Presentations
1. Mahroof, R., and B. Amoah. 2018. Toxic effects of ozone on selected stored product
insects and germ quality of germinating seeds. 12th International Working Conference
on Stored Product Protection. Berlin, Germany. October 7–11, 2018
2. Amoah, B. and R. Mahroof. 2018. Susceptibility of Sitophilus oryzae to different
durations of ozone exposure. 2018 Joint meeting of the South Carolina Entomological
Society and the Georgia Entomological Society, Unicoi State Park, Helen, GA, April 4–
6, 2018
3. Glover, C., B. Amoah, and R. Mahroof. 2018. Ozone as a potential fumigant for the
control of Lasioderma serricorne (F.). Oral presentation at the 2018 Joint meeting of the
South Carolina Entomological Society and the Georgia Entomological Society, Unicoi
State Park, Helen, GA, April 4–6, 2018
4. Mahroof, R. and B. Amoah. 2018. Detrimental Effect of Ozone Gas on Insects
Occurring in Durable Stored Commodities. Annual meeting of the Southeastern Branch
of the Entomological Society of America, Orlando, FL. March 4–7, 2018
5. Phillips, T. W., S. Abbar, B. Amoah, M. W. Schilling, X. Zhang, Y. Zhao and Y.
Campbell. 2017. Nothin’ but Net….and Some Other Stuff: Pest Management
Innovations for Tyrophagus putrescentiae. Member Symposium: Stored Products
Entomology: Innovative approaches for integrated insect pest management, Annual
Meeting of the Entomological Society of America, Denver, CO, November 4–9, 2017
6. Amoah, B. and R. M. Mahroof. 2017. Ozone as a potential fumigant to control of
Sitophilus oryzae in wheat. Sixty-third Annual Meeting of the South Carolina
Entomological Society, Hobcaw Barony, Georgetown, SC, October 5–6, 2017
7. Mahroof, R., B. Amoah, and J. Wrighton. 2017. Acute and delayed toxicity effects of
ozone on the internal and external feeders of stored products. Proceedings of the
Conference of the International Organization for Biological Control, Working Group on
Integrated Protection of Stored Products Ljubljana, Slovenia, July 3–5, 2017
Curriculum vitae - Barbara A. Amoah April 2019 Page 9 of 10
8. Amoah, B. and R. M. Mahroof. 2017. Ozone as a potential fumigant to control various
life stages of stored product insects. Association of 1890 Research Directors, Inc.
Research Symposium, Atlanta, GA, April 1–4, 2017
9. Kern, K., B. Amoah, and R. Mahroof. 2017. Ozone as a potential disinfectant for
Oryzaephilus mercator. Association of 1890 Research Directors, Inc. Research
Symposium, Atlanta, GA, April 1–4, 2017
10. Kern, K., J. Wrighton, B. Amoah, and R. M. Mahroof. 2016. Ozone disinfestation
stored product insects: Concentration-time mortality evaluation. Thirteenth Annual
Student Competition, Professional Agricultural Workers Conference and Gamma Sigma
Delta, Tuskegee, AL, December 6, 2016
11. Amoah, B. and R. Mahroof. 2016. Ozone as a potential fumigant to control cigarette
beetle and rice weevil. Oral presentation at the 62nd Annual Meeting of the South
Carolina Entomological Society, McCormick, SC, October 27–28, 2016
12. Kern, K. J. Wrighton, B. Amoah, and R. Mahroof. 2016. Ozone fumigation of
merchant grain beetle adults. 1890 Research Symposium, South Carolina State
University, July 27, 2016
13. Amoah, B., M. W. Schilling, and T. W. Phillips. 2015. Physical factors influencing trap
capture of the ham mite, Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) (Acari: Acaridae). Oral
presentation at the Entomological Society of America National Meeting, Minneapolis,
MN, November 15–18, 2015
14. Phillips, T. W., S. Abbar, and B. Amoah. 2014. Research toward developing IPM
systems for the ham mite, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, following the phase-out of methyl
bromide. 11th International Working Conference on Stored Product Protection. Thailand.
November 24–28, 2014
15. Amoah, B., J. Campbell, T. W. Phillips. 2013. The mold mite, Tyrophagus
putrescentiae (Schrank) (Acari: Acaridae), in ham facilities: Population dynamics and
response to temperature and fumigation treatments. Oral Presentation at the
Entomological Society of America National Meeting, Austin, TX, November 11–13,
2013
16. Amoah, B. and T. W. Phillips. 2013. Towards IPM of the mold mite, Tyrophagus
putrescentiae (Schrank) (Acari: Acaridae): Trapping and monitoring mite populations in
ham processing facilities. Oral presentation at Entomological Society of America Branch
Meeting, Rapid City, SD June 16–19, 2013
17. Amoah, B., T.W. Phillips, and M. W. Schilling. 2012. IPM as an alternative for the
ham mite, Tyrophagus putrescentiae: Monitoring with traps. Oral Presentation - 2012
Annual International Research Conference on Methyl Bromide Alternatives and
Emissions Reductions. Orlando, FL, November 6–8, 2012
Curriculum vitae - Barbara A. Amoah April 2019 Page 10 of 10
Poster Presentations
1. Udonsi, E., B. Amoah, and R. Mahroof. 2018. Time-concentration-mortality
relationships for Oryzaephilus mercator life stages to ozone fumigation. Poster
Presentation at the Association of 1890 Research Directors and USDA-Agricultural
Research Service Joint Food Safety Symposium. Beltsville Agricultural Research Center,
Beltsville, MD. April 23–25, 2018
2. Glover, C., D. Hook, B. Amoah, and R. M. Mahroof. 2017. Efficacy of ozone
fumigation against Lasioderma serricorne (F.) (Coleoptera: Anobiidae). Poster
Presentation at the Sixty-third Annual Meeting of the South Carolina Entomological
Society, Hobcaw Barony, Georgetown, SC, October 5–6, 2017
3. Jackson, M., B. Amoah, and R. Mahroof. 2017. Effect of sub-lethal doses of ozone on
the reproduction of rice weevil. Poster presentation at the 2017 South Carolina IDeA
Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence, South Carolina State University,
Orangeburg, SC, July 27, 2017
4. Amoah, B., B. Subramanyam, D. Hagstrum, M. W. Schilling, and T. W. Phillips.
2016. Development and validation of sequential sampling plans for the ham mite on dry-
cured ham. Poster presentation at the International Congress of Entomology, Orlando,
FL, September 25–30, 2016
5. Amoah, B. and T. W. Phillips. 2015. Trapping and monitoring the mold mite in
commercial facilities for management decisions. Poster presentation - U.S. Borlaug
Summer Institute on Global Food Security. Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, June
7–20, 2015
6. Amoah, B. and T. W. Phillips. 2015. Effect of different light wavelengths on trap
capture of the mold mite for management decisions. Poster presentation at the
Entomological Society of America Branch Meeting, Manhattan, KS, May 31–June 3,
2015
7. Amoah, B. and T. W. Phillips. 2014. Towards the Integrated Pest Management of the
mold mite: Trapping and monitoring mite populations in ham processing facilities. Poster
presentation - 2014 PepsiCo/New York Academy of Sciences “Journey through Science
Day” Event. New York City, NY, December 8, 2014
8. Amoah, B. and T. W. Phillips. 2014. Trapping mold mites for IPM decisions in country
ham facilities: effects of trap placement and trap design. Poster presentation at the
Entomological Society of America National Meeting, Portland, OR, November 16–19,
2014
9. Amoah, B. M. J. Aikins, S. Abbar, and T.W. Phillips 2012. Orientation behavior of the
stored-product mite, Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Shrank), towards meat products with
various treatments. Poster presentation at the Entomological Society of America Branch
Meeting, Lincoln, NE, June 3–6, 2012