Entotech Inc., a Davis-based biopesticide company, has created a graduate student fellowship in the entomology department at the University of California, Davis, with an $80,000 pledge. The Entotech (Novo Nordisk) Fellowship in Entomology and Microbial Insecticides will provide funding for educational fees, books, supplies and other expenses for a graduate student in entomology, the scientific discipline that focuses on the study of insects. "Support for graduate students is a critical factor in our ability to recruit top students to our department," said Michael Parrella, chair of the Department of Entomology. "The Entotech fellowship greatly enhances our ability to recruit the best graduates to advanced studies and research in entomology. Since these students will be tomorrow's university professors and private industry researchers, this fellowship benefits both the department and companies such as Entotech." Entotech Inc., established in 1990, is a leader in research and development of biopesticides, or biological alternatives to chemical pesticides. These alternatives include viruses, fungi and bacteria that are toxic to certain insects but environmentally safe. "The quality of research and teaching at UC Davis is a major reason Entotech is in Davis," said Pam Marrone, the company's president. "The availability of well-trained scientists graduating from the campus is an important factor in our innovative research. That is why we want to encourage the recruitment of the nation's finest students to the campus through this fellowship and other programs of support." Entotech Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Novo Nordisk. Headquartered in Bagsvaerd, Denmark, Novo Nordisk is the world's largest producer of insulin, diabetes care systems and industrial enzymes. Novo Nordisk and Entotech already sponsor two other graduate fellowships in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at UC Davis. According to John E. Kinsella, dean of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, such private support is increasingly important in fulfilling the college's mission of teaching, research and public service. "Such broad support as we have received from Novo Nordisk and Entotech is instrumental in allowing us to continue attracting the best students; conducting relevant, innovative research; and fulfilling the agricultural and environmental needs of the state of California," Kinsella said.