Pest Control Group Awards $16K to 6 Future Scientists

Getting money to study insects might not sound glamorous, but these scholarships are launching careers that keep our homes safe and our food secure.

Pi Chi Omega, a professional organization in Fredericksburg, Virginia, just awarded six scholarships totaling $16,000 to graduate students pursuing careers in entomology and pest management. This year's winners include Bandana Shrestha from the University of Kentucky, Jun-Yin Lum from UC Riverside, Ashmita Sapkota from Auburn University, Fan-Ling Liu from Texas A&M, Austin McKay from Louisiana State, and Babatunji Daramola from Rutgers.

Since launching their scholarship program in 1976, the organization has awarded 189 scholarships worth more than $301,000. Their very first recipient was Bobby Corrigan, who became one of the world's leading experts on rodent control.

The scholarships range from $2,500 to $3,500 and help students who are researching everything from termite control to rodent behavior. These future scientists will develop safer pest control methods, study insect behavior, and find new ways to protect public health.

Stephanie Hill chairs the scholarship committee and received the award herself back in 2010. She said this year's applicants showed outstanding passion and commitment to advancing the pest management industry.

The Ripple Effect

The impact of these scholarships reaches far beyond the individual students. Every person they support could develop a breakthrough that protects thousands of homes from termites, find a safer way to control disease-carrying mosquitoes, or discover new methods to keep our food supply pest-free.

President James Miller emphasized that supporting future pest management professionals sits at the heart of Pi Chi Omega's mission. The organization selects students based on academic achievement, passion for the field, and potential to make meaningful contributions.

Applications open each winter in mid-January, with a mid-March deadline. While all six 2026 scholarships went to graduate students, Pi Chi Omega encourages undergraduates studying entomology or related fields to apply in future cycles.

Anyone can support the scholarship program through donations at pichiomega.org. When you invest in these students, you're funding the scientists who will keep future generations safe from pests and the diseases they carry.