Lauren Fann is the senior specialist for pest management at the Almond Board of California. She oversees the pest management research portfolio which includes insects, plant diseases and weeds. Additionally, she works to help develop effective new tactics that growers can use to expand their sustainable pest management options and engages with the industry on the development and use of pest management strategies to communicate with growers and PCAs.

Prior to joining ABC, Lauren earned her Ph.D in Entomology from the University of Kentucky. Her research focused on the management of the brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) using biological control agents, attract and kill strategies, and trap cropping in small acreage and organic vegetable systems.

Lauren, a native of the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas, moved to the Central Valley to join ABC. She is based in Modesto and enjoys hiking and exploring California with her dog, Dylan.