معرفی
Amanda C. Hodges serves as an Extension scientist and director of the Doctor of Plant Medicine (DPM) program within the Department of Entomology and Nematology at the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) in Gainesville, FL. Her position bridges academic research with practical extension services, targeting both academic audiences and interested laypersons with biological knowledge.
Dr. Hodges specializes in entomology with research interests spanning insect pest management, arthropod systematics, and invasive species management. Her work focuses particularly on scale insects, mealybugs, and other arthropod pests affecting Florida's agricultural systems. Through the Featured Creatures collection, she has contributed extensively to documenting insect biology, distribution, and management strategies for numerous pest species.
Her publication record demonstrates consistent research activity with 15+ recent articles focusing on insect identification, host plant relationships, and pest management strategies. These publications show a clear trend toward documenting invasive species and developing management approaches for scale insects, mealybugs, and other arthropod pests affecting Florida's agricultural and natural ecosystems.
As director of the DPM program, Dr. Hodges oversees student recruitment and curriculum development for this interdisciplinary program that provides professional plant health training across agricultural science disciplines. The program prepares students for careers in plant biosecurity, diagnostics, and pest management.
Her extension work includes organizing field trips for DPM students, coordinating with alumni, and managing fellowship opportunities in plant biosecurity. She actively participates in the Florida Plant Diagnostic Network, contributing to statewide efforts in plant health monitoring and pest identification.
