Department of Pesticide Regulation Appoints Members to Two New Committees, Advancing Vision to Foster Safe, Effective and Sustainable Pest Management in California

SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) today 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.

“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.” 

SPARC Committee Members

The following individuals have been appointed to serve on DPR’s Scientific Prioritization and Review Committee to advise DPR on prioritizing actions associated with continuous evaluation and mitigation of pesticides. The committee will provide science-based recommendations to inform DPR’s transparent, data-driven process for identifying and addressing potential risks to human health and the environment from pesticide use.

1. Dr. Kari Arnold, Associate Director, IR-4 Western Region/UC Davis 
2. Dr. Asa Bradman, Professor – Public Health Department & Professor – Environmental Systems Graduate Group, UC Merced 
3. Dr. Staci Cibotti, Pesticide Program Specialist, Xerces Society 
4. Dr. Chris Geiger, President, Lacewing Collaborations LLC 
5. Beau Howard, District Manager, JG Boswell Co. 
6. Dr. Olukayode Jegede, Assistant Professor of Ag Toxicology & Cooperative Extension Specialist, UC Davis 
7. Dr. Chow-Yang Lee, Professor & Endowed President Chair – Urban Entomology, UC Riverside  
8. Dr. Kelly Moran, Senior Scientist, San Francisco Estuary Institute 
9. Dr. Sascha Carsten Thomas Nicklisch, Assistant Professor of Environmental Toxicology & Environmental Chemist – Ag Experiment Station, UC Davis  
10. Dr. Jhalendra Rijal, Integrated Pest Management Advisor, UCCE 
11. Dr. Hillary Q. Thomas-Sanchez, Research & Technical Director, Naturipe Berry Growers, Inc.  
12. Jess Tyler, Staff Scientist, Center for Biological Diversity  

In addition to providing science-based recommendations, newly appointed SPARC members will provide input on identifying data gaps, scoping scientific assessments, and feasibility of alternatives. Originally envisioned in concept through the Sustainable Pest Management Roadmap for California, SPARC will inform DPR’s prioritization of pesticide-related continuous evaluation and mitigation, with final decisions and timelines associated with action discussed publicly and memorialized on the department’s Continuous Evaluation and Mitigation Update.

SPM Advisory Committee Members

The following individuals have been appointed to serve on DPR’s Sustainable Pest Management Advisory Committee to inform and support a statewide transition towards making SPM the de facto pest management approach in California. The committee will advise DPR on goals, tactics, policies, and partnerships that advance DPR’s mission to foster SPM and support the implementation of key strategic goals outlined in the Department’s 2024-2028 Strategic Plan (2024-2028 Strategic Plan in Spanish).

1. Jo Ann Baumgartner, Executive Director, Wild Farm Alliance
2. Lena Brook, Deputy Director, Fullwell
3. Jennifer Clarke, Executive Director, California Leafy Greens Research Board
4. Jim Farrar, Director, Statewide IPM Program, UC ANR
5. Laura Krueger, Vector Ecologist, Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District
6. Kevi Mace, Senior Environmental Scientist, Office of Pesticide Consultation & Analysis, CDFA
7. Michael Mellano, CEO, Mellano & Company
8. Cuong “Jimmy” Nguyen, Food Safety and Organic Production Advisor, UC ANR
9. Mahmood Nikbakhtzadeh, Assistant Professor, Environmental Health Science, CSU San Bernardino
10. Daniel Palla, Technical Sales Representative, Trécé, Inc.
11. Renee Pinel, President and CEO, Western Plant Health Association
12. David Poplin, CEO of CDS Services Inc., dba Legion Pest Management
13. Margaret Reeves, Senior Scientist, Pesticide Action and Agroecology Network
14. Maggie Rodriguez, Director of Global Regulatory & Government Affairs, ProFarm Group Inc.
15. Jason Saling, Grower Relations Manager, Rodney Strong Vineyards
16. Mayra Sanchez, Associate Director, Californians for Pesticide Reform
17. Paul Squires, Owner, Squires Ag. Consulting, Inc.
18. Andrew Sutherland, Urban IPM Advisor, UC ANR

The newly appointed committee members will publicly discuss and provide recommendations to inform DPR actions, including:

• Tracking progress and implementation of SPM statewide
• Developing SPM pilot projects
• Advancing procurement and supply chain opportunities
• Reviewing urban pesticide use data
• Identification and implementation of SPM Continuing Education (CE) opportunities
• Promotion, development, and adoption of innovative pest management alternatives

Both committees will host meetings that will be open to the public, with dates and information posted on DPR’s website in advance.

For more information about SPARC’s role in informing DPR’s work, please visit Scientific Prioritization and Review Committee (SPARC) – Department of Pesticide Regulation

For more information about the SPM Advisory Committee, please visit Sustainable Pest Management (SPM) Advisory Committee – Department of Pesticide Regulation