Student Spotlight: Yahel Ben-Zvi, Ph.D. Candidate in Entomology
This fall, Yahel Ben-Zvi, a doctoral candidate in entomology at the School of Graduate Studies, will receive the Robert O’Neil Outstanding Ph.D. Student Award from the International Organization of Biological Control (IOBC). He was nominated by his advisor, Dr. Cesar Rodriguez-Saona, in recognition of his research on conservation biocontrol in cranberry and blueberry systems. Yahel will formally accept the award during the annual Entomological Society of America meeting in Portland, Oregon, in November 2025.
The School of Graduate Studies is proud to celebrate Yahel’s accomplishments. His innovative research, commitment to science communication, and international recognition highlight the excellence of our graduate community and the impact of Rutgers scholarship.
In Conversation with Yahel
Q: What led you to pursue graduate studies in entomology at Rutgers?
I was fascinated by plant–insect interactions through chemistry and wanted to work with beneficial insects. My undergraduate advisor connected me with my Ph.D. advisor, who studies chemical ecology of insects in cranberry and blueberry systems, and that immediately captured my interest.
Q: How would you explain your research to someone outside your field?
Plants produce scents, and insects respond differently to them—just as a bee is drawn to the smell of a flower. My research looks at how beneficial insects, such as natural predators of crop pests, respond to these plant scents in different agricultural landscapes. I also study how plant domestication has changed these scents and, in turn, insect behavior.
Q: What has been the most exciting discovery so far?
I found that different insects respond to methyl salicylate (wintergreen oil) in different ways, depending on the landscape and spatial scale. These differences can influence the level of ecosystem services, such as natural pest control.
Q: What does receiving the Robert O’Neil Award mean to you?
This recognition allows me to share my work with a wider community and connect with researchers whose perspectives can lead to future collaborations. It’s very motivating to know that my contributions are valued.
Q: What are your next steps after completing your Ph.D.?
I will defend my dissertation in December and begin a postdoctoral position in January. I hope to continue research while also teaching—whether to students or growers—because education and science communication are essential for progress.
Q: Just for fun, what’s a fun fact you like to share?
I’ve gotten pretty good at balancing a sweep net (like a butterfly net) on my chin!
The School of Graduate Studies congratulates Yahel on this outstanding achievement and looks forward to his future contributions to science and education.