Assistant Professor and  Extension Specialist, Department of Entomology

Ph.D., Entomology, University of California – Davis, 2007

M.S., Entomology, University of California – Davis, 2006

B.S., Entomology, University of Wisconsin, 2002

B.S., Rural Sociology, University of Wisconsin, 2002

Dr. Hannah Barrack knows that the diversity of North Carolina’s crops, climate and terrain is one of its many attributes. However that same diversity means that, agriculturally, there is a great diversity of pests that feed on those crops. That’s the kind of challenge Burrack enjoys.

When she decided to pursue an advanced degree in entomology, she chose to study in California, where the entomology department is considered one of the best in the country. California also offered a longer “field season” than was available in her native Wisconsin.

Her master’s and doctoral research focused mainly on the olive fruit fly. She was the first person to conduct large-scale research in California on a fruit fly that destroys olives. She documented how far it had spread in the state and which kinds of olives the picture wing fly prefers.

As an Extension specialist at N.C. State University since 2007, Burrack has active projects under way in blueberries, blackberries, strawberries and tobacco in all parts of the state.

“The two-spotted spider mite is a key threat to strawberries nationwide,” she says. Today, most farmers, who are not specifically organic, use pesticides to protect their plants.  “The decision to treat is easy,” she explains. “You spend the money and rest easy at night.” However, Burrack is looking for “natural means” of pest control. “Natural means” suggest either making the mites unhappy so that they leave or finding a safe biological method of controlling them.

Methods of pest control for sustainable agriculture are still being tested, but Burrack can suggest an integrated pest management approach. “At the very least, I try to get folks to think about why and when you use pesticides,” she says. “They may not have the information they need to decide not to treat. That’s a hurdle we have to get over.”

She’s pleased that farmers are “absolutely engaged” in improving their methods and crops. In the end, the farmer, the environment and the public will benefit.