معرفی
Rory Mc Donnell is an Associate Professor in the Department of Crop and Soil Science at Oregon State University's College of Agricultural Sciences. As Principal Investigator of the Invertebrate Crop Pest Lab, his program focuses on invasive slug/snail ecology and novel biocontrol strategies involving plant extracts, nematodes, and attractants. Collaborations span Oregon, Washington, California, Hawaii, Florida, Ecuador, Ireland, and Alberta, with funding from USDA, Oregon Seed Council, EU, and Christmas Tree Promotion Board.
- Research areas: Invasive species management, biological control, molluscicides, agricultural entomology
- Specialized in: Phasmarhabditis nematodes, slug behavior, attract-and-kill strategies
Recent research trends show increasing focus on Phasmarhabditis nematode efficacy against invasive mollusks, bioactive peptides for slug deterrence, and bread dough attractants in pest management. Work spans laboratory infectivity trials, field microcosm studies, and practical extension resources for agricultural stakeholders.
Scientific honors include:
- Royal Entomological Society Fellowship (2023)
- Sigma Xi Membership (2024)
- UC Riverside Merit Advancement (2014)
As both PhD advisor and extension outreach leader, he contributes to graduate education in Crop and Soil Science while developing public-facing resources like the Slug Portal and OSU Extension publications. His work has been featured in National Geographic and The New Yorker through media appearances like the 45-minute Slug Chat webinar.
