The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) has announced the appointment of 12 members to its inaugural Scientific Prioritization and Review Committee (SPARC) and 18 members to the Sustainable Pest Management Advisory Committee (SPMAC). “DPR is thrilled to onboard such a remarkable group of committee members to support our work to continuously evaluate and mitigate pesticides and to effectively foster sustainable pest management approaches across the state,” said DPR Director Karen Morrison. “The breadth of expertise represented – from scientific and academic fields to public health, agriculture, community and environmental protection – will enhance DPR’s ongoing commitment to making decisions that are informed, inclusive, and grounded in the best available information to protect California’s people and environment.” Both committees will host meetings that will be open to the public, with dates and information posted on DPR’s website in advance:

SPARC Members (in alphabetical order):

1. Kari Arnold, Ph.D. — Associate Director, IR-4 Western Region/UC Davis (SPARC expertise: Agricultural Academic Extension)
2. Asa Bradman, Ph.D. — Professor for Public Health Department and Environmental Systems Graduate Group, UC Merced (SPARC expertise: Public Health, Environmental, and Urban Practitioner)
3. Staci Cibotti, Ph.D. — Pesticide Program Specialist (Western Agriculture), The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation (SPARC expertise: Environmental and Ecotoxicology)
4. Chris Geiger, Ph.D. — President, Lacewing Collaborations LLC, and part time at San Francisco Environment Department (former Citywide IPM Program Manager) (SPARC expertise: Urban Practitioner)
5. Beau Howard — District Manager, JG Boswell Company (SPARC expertise: Agricultural Practitioner)
6. Olukayode Jegede, Ph.D. — Assistant Professor of Cooperative Extension for Agricultural Toxicology (SPARC expertise: Ecotoxicology, Environmental, and Human Health Toxicology)
7. Chow-Yang Lee, Ph.D. — Professor and Endowed Presidential Chair in Urban Entomology, UC Riverside (SPARC expertise: Urban Academic Extension)
8. Kelly Moran, Ph.D. — Senior Scientist, San Francisco Estuary Institute (SPARC expertise: Public Drinking Water Utilities, Wastewater Utilities, Environmental, and Ecotoxicology)
9. Sasch Nicklisch, Ph.D. — Assistant Professor of Environmental Toxicology and Assistant Environmental Chemist in the Agricultural Experiment Station at UC Davis (SPARC expertise: Ecotoxicology, Environmental, and Human Health Toxicology)
10.  Jhalendra Rijal, Ph.D. — Integrated Pest Management Advisor, University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources/Cooperative Extension (SPARC expertise: Agricultural Academic Extension)
11. Hillary Q. Thomas-Sanchez, Ph.D. — Research & Technical Director, Naturipe Berry Growers, Inc. (SPARC expertise: Agricultural Practitioner and Agricultural Academic Extension)
12. Jess Tyler — Staff Scientist, Center for Biological Diversity (SPARC expertise: Environmental)

SPMAC Members:

1. CDFA seat: Kevi Mace, Ph.D. is a Senior Environmental Scientist Supervisor at the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA).
2. UC ANR seat: Jim Farrar, Ph.D. is the Director of the University of California Integrated Pest Management Program (UC IPM).
3. Jo Ann Baumgartner is Executive Director of Wild Farm Alliance, a national nonprofit advancing biodiversity conservation on farms to support sustainable pest management and resilient agricultural systems.
4. Lena Brook is Deputy Director at Fullwell, a San Francisco Bay Area-based policy advocacy organization where she leads campaigns to expand values-aligned food procurement at public institutions and strengthen the food assistance safety net.
5. Jennifer Clarke is the Executive Direct of the California Leafy Greens Research Board.
6. Laura Krueger is a Board Certified Entomologist specializing in urban pest management and mosquito and vector control operations.
7. Michael Mellano, Ph.D. is a third generation cut flower farmer and former CEO, Chairman of the Board, and Vice President of Production for Mellano & Company.
8. Cuong “Jimmy” Nguyen, Ph.D. is a food scientist and UC Agricultural and Natural Resources (UC ANR) Advisor specializing in sustainable pest management, food safety, and organic production.
9. Mahmood Nikbakhtzadeh, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor of Environmental Health Science and Program Coordinator at California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB).
10. Daniel Palla is an organic pistachio farmer. His family has farmed in Kern County since 1913.
11. Renee Pinel is the President/CEO of Western Plant Health Association (WPH) and brings 35 years of experience and holistic knowledge in pest management, plant and soil health, and human and environmental health related issues.
12. David Poplin serves as CEO of CDS Services Inc. dba Legion Pest Management, overseeing more than 69 federal government contracts
13. Margaret Reeves is a senior scientist at Pesticide Action Network (PAN) (now Pesticide Action and Agroecology Network).
14. Maggie Rodriguez currently serves as Director of Global Regulatory and Government Affairs for Pro Farm Group, based in Davis, California.
15. Jason Saling is a veteran viticulturist with more than 30 years experience in California winegrowing. Jason currently serves as Viticulturist at Aperture Cellars.
16. Mayra Sanchez, Ph.D. is the Associate Director of Californians for Pesticide Reform (CPR).
17. Paul R. Squires has been a licensed pest control adviser for 32 years, now living in Yuba City.
18. Andrew Sutherland, Ph.D. is an extension entomologist employed as the University of California’s Urban Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Advisor for the San Francisco Bay Area.