Lance Osborne honored with SAF Alex Laurie Award

Society of American Florists will present the 2009 Alex Laurie Award for research and education to Univ. of Fla. entomology/nematology professor Lance Osborne this week during its 125th annual convention in Phoenix. Osborne is active both in teaching and conducting research on managing insects of ornamental and vegetable crops. He has worked on methods to avoid pest chemical resistance, biological controls and use of banker plants as a source for insect predators. Osborne has co-chaired technical committees for national task forces established in response to 2 new invasive insects: Bemisia Q-biotype whitefly and chilli thrips. The Alex Laurie Award is presented annually to an individual who has made significant contributions to research and education in the floriculture industry. It is named for Ohio St. Univ. professor Alex Laurie, who, during his career of over 60 years, laid the groundwork for research that revolutionized the floriculture industry.

Photo courtesy of Society of American Florists