Santana tackles damaging pests as new Texas A&M AgriLife entomologist in Weslaco

Alisson Santana, Ph.D., has joined the Texas A&M Department of Entomology as an assistant professor and Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service entomologist at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Weslaco.

In his new position, Santana will focus on managing some of the most challenging and emerging agricultural pests in the Rio Grande Valley.

With a 75% AgriLife Research and 25% AgriLife Extension split appointment, his work will emphasize integrated pest management strategies that combine fundamental insect biology with practical, field-ready solutions for growers.

Originally from northeastern Brazil, Santana grew up on a small family farm in Sergipe, where crops such as corn and dry beans were a part of daily life. That early exposure to agriculture and to the pest pressures that come with it shaped his academic path.

He earned his undergraduate degree, master’s degree and doctorate in Brazil before completing a postdoctoral appointment at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. He joined Texas A&M AgriLife in October.

Addressing pests where they first appear

The Rio Grande Valley’s subtropical climate and year-round cropping systems make it an ideal environment for insects and a critical early detection zone for invasive and economically damaging pests, Santana said.

“Many of the pests that become important in Texas or the U.S. are first detected in the Valley,” he said. “If we can understand and start managing them here, we can provide information that benefits producers statewide and nationally.”

Santana’s research will focus on pests affecting corn, cotton, cabbage, potatoes and more. These include plant bugs, leafhoppers, aphids, whiteflies, the diamondback moth and potato psyllid, among other insect pests, which damage crops directly and may also transmit plant diseases.

At Weslaco, his work combines basic research, such as studying pest biology, ecology and behavior with pest management strategies, which include cultural practices, host plant resistance, biological control, chemical control and alternative approaches to reduce reliance on pesticides.

Bridging research and real-world impact

Santana said the joint research-extension appointment allows him to ensure his work directly benefits producers.

Through collaboration with growers, industry partners and fellow researchers, Santana aims to deliver science-based pest management solutions that strengthen agriculture in the Rio Grande Valley and beyond. “This type of appointment lets you connect research with applied management,” he said. “You’re generating information that will actually be used, information that helps farmers and supports food production.”