2017 ASHS Annual Conference

There are many programs in the U.S. and East Asia, providing financial support for international engagement. Such engagement may include scientific exchange, studying abroad, hosting visiting scholars, advising or co-advising graduate students, and sabbatical. I have been to two scientific exchange trips, led three study abroad trips, hosted six visiting scholars, and co-advised two graduate students. These activities proved to be mutually beneficial to hosts and guests. For example, crapemyrtle bark scale (Acanthococcus lagerstroemiae) is an exotic pest that has spread to many Southeastern U.S. in recently years and caused severe damage to landscape aesthetics, and thus reduce nursery sales of crapemyrtles. Scientific exchange trips have enabled us to witness this pest in its native country and establish collaboration with scientists to combat it in the U.S. Although my experience has been mainly from China, funding opportunities from other countries will be explored.