Vic Izzo
Senior Lecturer
Director and Co-Founder, Vermont Entomology and Participatory Action Research Team (VEPART)
Co-Director, Environmental Studies Program
Head of Undergraduate Education, Institute for Agroecology
PRONOUNS he/him
63 Carrigan Drive
235 Jeffords Hall
Burlington, VT 05405
United States
- Ph.D., Plant and Soil Science, UVM, 2014
- M.S., Bioscience and Biotechnology, Conservation, Biology, Drexel University, 2003
- B.S., Chemistry, State University of New York at Geneseo, 1999
print/web
print/web
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Areas of expertise
Agricultural entomology, agroecology, sustainable pest management, conservation ecology, evolutionary ecology.
BIO
Victor M. Izzo is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Agriculture, Landscape, and Environment at the University of Vermont, where he also serves as Co-Director of the Environmental Studies Program and Head of Undergraduate Education at the Institute for Agroecology. As an educator, researcher, and agroecologist, Vic believes deeply that engagement in research is a key component of university education. He leads an active, extramurally funded research program focused on the development and application of agroecological practices, accumulating over $1.66 million in research funding since 2019.
As an evolutionary ecologist and entomologist interested in agroecological issues, much of Vic's research focuses upon the application of evolutionary phenomena to agricultural systems. All ecological systems are "changing over generations" — by understanding the parameters underlying these changes, more resilient systems can be developed. His research interests span three integrated areas: agricultural entomology, applied agroecology, and participatory action research (PAR). His work identifies pressing, actionable field-level issues facing regional growers, develops farm- and landscape-scale research questions, and delivers user-centric outreach — all in direct collaboration with extension professionals, farmers, and students.
Vic is co-founder (with Scott Lewins, UVM Extension) of the Vermont Entomology and Participatory Action Research Team (VEPART), which engages local growers in the research process from hypothesis generation through farmer-to-farmer workshops. He is fully committed to the use of PAR methods and believes that lasting change can only be accomplished through equitable and horizontal research processes.
At UVM, Vic teaches a wide spectrum of courses — from introductory entomology to advanced agroecology — and has developed multiple innovative academic programs including the Agroecology and Livelihoods Collaborative (ALC) Undergraduate Research Fellowship, the Certificate in Graduate Studies in Agroecology (CGSA), and the Breakthrough Leaders for Sustainable Food Systems Professional Certificate.
Courses
Undergraduate Courses
- Introduction to Agroecology (PSS 021) – 3 credits
- A Bug's Life – 3 credits (Introductory entomology and insects in society)
- Entomology and Pest Management – 4 credits
- Weed Ecology and Management – 3 credits
- Permaculture (PSS 156) – 3 credits
- Agriculture & The Environment – 3 credits
- Advanced Agroecology – 4 credits + Service Learning (capstone)
Graduate Courses
- Introduction to Agroecology – 3 credits (graduate)
- Ecological Foundations of Agroecology (PSS 312) – 3 credits (online, CGSA core)
- Agroecology, Food Sovereignty, and Social Movements (PSS 314) – 3 credits
- CDE Breakthrough Leaders Program – Non-credit
Publications
Awards and Achievements
- 2020 Joseph E. Carrigan Award – Awarded for Excellence in Teaching, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (UVM)
- 2019 Joseph E. Carrigan Award – Nominated for Excellence in Teaching, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (UVM)
- 2017 Teaching Award of Merit – North American Colleges & Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA)
- 2010 Teaching Assistant of the Year Award – Plant and Soil Science Department, UVM
- 2010 Graduate Student Teaching Award of Merit – North American Colleges & Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA)
- Runner-Up Editor's Choice Award – Entomological Society of America (for Izzo et al. 2014, Ecological Entomology)
Bio
Victor M. Izzo is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Agriculture, Landscape, and Environment at the University of Vermont, where he also serves as Co-Director of the Environmental Studies Program and Head of Undergraduate Education at the Institute for Agroecology. As an educator, researcher, and agroecologist, Vic believes deeply that engagement in research is a key component of university education. He leads an active, extramurally funded research program focused on the development and application of agroecological practices, accumulating over $1.66 million in research funding since 2019.
As an evolutionary ecologist and entomologist interested in agroecological issues, much of Vic's research focuses upon the application of evolutionary phenomena to agricultural systems. All ecological systems are "changing over generations" — by understanding the parameters underlying these changes, more resilient systems can be developed. His research interests span three integrated areas: agricultural entomology, applied agroecology, and participatory action research (PAR). His work identifies pressing, actionable field-level issues facing regional growers, develops farm- and landscape-scale research questions, and delivers user-centric outreach — all in direct collaboration with extension professionals, farmers, and students.
Vic is co-founder (with Scott Lewins, UVM Extension) of the Vermont Entomology and Participatory Action Research Team (VEPART), which engages local growers in the research process from hypothesis generation through farmer-to-farmer workshops. He is fully committed to the use of PAR methods and believes that lasting change can only be accomplished through equitable and horizontal research processes.
At UVM, Vic teaches a wide spectrum of courses — from introductory entomology to advanced agroecology — and has developed multiple innovative academic programs including the Agroecology and Livelihoods Collaborative (ALC) Undergraduate Research Fellowship, the Certificate in Graduate Studies in Agroecology (CGSA), and the Breakthrough Leaders for Sustainable Food Systems Professional Certificate.
Courses
Undergraduate Courses
- Introduction to Agroecology (PSS 021) – 3 credits
- A Bug's Life – 3 credits (Introductory entomology and insects in society)
- Entomology and Pest Management – 4 credits
- Weed Ecology and Management – 3 credits
- Permaculture (PSS 156) – 3 credits
- Agriculture & The Environment – 3 credits
- Advanced Agroecology – 4 credits + Service Learning (capstone)
Graduate Courses
- Introduction to Agroecology – 3 credits (graduate)
- Ecological Foundations of Agroecology (PSS 312) – 3 credits (online, CGSA core)
- Agroecology, Food Sovereignty, and Social Movements (PSS 314) – 3 credits
- CDE Breakthrough Leaders Program – Non-credit
Publications
Awards and Achievements
- 2020 Joseph E. Carrigan Award – Awarded for Excellence in Teaching, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (UVM)
- 2019 Joseph E. Carrigan Award – Nominated for Excellence in Teaching, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (UVM)
- 2017 Teaching Award of Merit – North American Colleges & Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA)
- 2010 Teaching Assistant of the Year Award – Plant and Soil Science Department, UVM
- 2010 Graduate Student Teaching Award of Merit – North American Colleges & Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA)
- Runner-Up Editor's Choice Award – Entomological Society of America (for Izzo et al. 2014, Ecological Entomology)
RESEARCH AND/OR CREATIVE WORKS
PENDING (In Final Review):
- Evaluating new paper-mulch alternatives to plastic mulch on Northeastern vegetable farms | PI | Northeast SARE | 2025–2028 | $199,680
- Assessing and Mitigating the Impact of Invasive Earthworms on Small Vegetable and Nursery Farms | Co-PI | Northeast SARE | 2025–2028 | $249,800
Recently Funded Projects:
- The changing landscape of allium pest management on Vermont diversified vegetable farms | PI | Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets | 2024–2026 | $39,024
- Climate change responses in a globally invasive insect (Collaborative NSF project) | Collaborator (PI: Dr. Joaquin Nunez, UVM Biology) | NSF Division of Integrative Organismal Systems | 2025–2029 | $500,796
- Evaluation of Delayed Potato Planting for the Management of Insect and Disease Incidence on Northeastern Diversified Farms | PI | Northeast SARE | 2023–2026 | $188,658
- Vermont Pest and Disease Monitoring and Scouting Program | PI | Vermont Vegetable and Berry Growers Association | 2021–Present | $3,000/year
- Development of above- and below-ground strategies using entomopathogenic fungi and RNAi for the control of root crop pests | PI | Northeast SARE | 2022–2025 | $199,710
- Training and High-Impact Research Internships through Vermont Extension | Co-PI | USDA AFRI Education and Workforce Development | 2021–2026 | $500,000
- Field assessment of a novel behavioral disruptor for spotted wing Drosophila management | PI | Northeast SARE Partnership Grant | 2021–2023 | $29,999
- Biological and Cultural Tactics for the Control of Wireworms in Root Crops | PI | Northeast SARE | 2020–2022 | $116,189
- Attract-and-Kill Strategies for Sustainable Striped Cucumber Beetle Management | Collaborator/Sub-award (w/ Anna Wallingford, UNH) | Northeast SARE | 2020–2022 | $180,375
- Strategies for Leek Moth Control on Diversified Vegetable Farms | PI | Northeast SARE | 2019–2021 | $102,799
PUBLICATIONS
Co-Authored Textbook:
Mendez, V.E., S.R. Gliessman, V.M. Izzo, and Engles, E. Agroecology: The Ecology of Sustainable Food Systems. 4th Edition. CRC Press/Taylor & Francis: Boca Raton, FL. (2022)
Refereed Journal Articles:
Izzo, V.M., S.A. Lewins, and M. Nouri Aiin. "On-farm evaluation of swede midge, Contarinia nasturtii, susceptibility among four popular kale varieties." Journal of Economic Entomology, toae304. (2025). https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toae304
Brevik, S.D. Schoville, A. Muszewska, B. Pelissie, Z. Cohen, V. Izzo, Y.H. Chen, M. Keena. "Transposable elements differ between geographic populations of the Colorado potato beetle." Environmental Entomology 52(6):1162–1171. (2023). doi: 10.1093/ee/nvad105
Kinnebrew, E., C.K. Molander, S. Wilcox Warren, C.E. Horner, V.M. Izzo, S.A. Lewins, R. Maden, G.L. Galford and V.E. Mendez. "Tradeoffs of a rising agroecological practice: addressing uncertainty around tarping with participatory action research and mixed methods." Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems. (2022)
Nordstrom, K.L., C.E. Horner, V.E. Mendez, V. Izzo, N. Carpenter, J.W. Faulkner and M. Caswell. "An Undergraduate Agroecology Research Fellows Program Engages Co-learning Through Participatory Action Research." Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems 5:10. (2022)
Horner, C.E., C. Morse, N. Carpenter, K.L. Nordstrom, J.W. Faulkner, T. Mares, E. Kinnebrew, M. Caswell, V. Izzo, V.E. Mendez, S.A. Lewins and N. McCune. "Cultivating Pedagogy for Transformative Learning: A Decade of Undergraduate Agroecology Education." Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems 5(412). (2022)
Izzo, V.M., Y.H. Chen, S.D. Schoville, C. Wang, D.J. Hawthorne. "Origin of Pest Lineages of the Colorado Potato Beetle." Journal of Economic Entomology, tox367. (2018)
Izzo, V.M., J. Armstrong, D.H. Hawthorne, Y.H. Chen. "Time of the Season: The effect of photoperiodism on host mediated cues for diapause induction in Leptinotarsa decemlineata." Ecological Entomology 39(1):75–82. (2014) [Runner-Up Editor's Choice Award, ESA]
Izzo, V.M., D.H. Hawthorne, Y.H. Chen. "Geographic variation in winter hardiness of a common agricultural pest, the Colorado potato beetle." Evolutionary Ecology 28(3):505–520. (2014)
Izzo, V.M., N. Mercer, J. Armstrong, Y.H. Chen. "Variation in host usage among geographic populations of Leptinotarsa decemlineata." Journal of Pest Science. (2014)
Saija, P., L. Lindstrom, A. Lyytinen, J. Mappes, Y.H. Chen, V.M. Izzo, A. Grapputo. "Pre-invasion history and demography shape the genetic variation in the insecticide resistance-related acetylcholinesterase 2 gene in the invasive Colorado potato beetle." BMC Evolutionary Biology 13:13. (2013)