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minutesPROVO — If you’ve seen “Spongebob Squarepants,” you might think of nematodes as the tiny creatures that wreak havoc on the Krusty Krab or Spongebob’s house. However, that portrayal is far from the truth. A BYU alumnus recently discovered a new species of nematode and decided to name it after his former professor at Brigham Young University.
Adler Dillman, now the Department of Nematology chairman at the University of California, Riverside, had no knowledge of nematodes until he met biology professor Byron Adams in 2003. When Dillman had the opportunity to describe a new nematode, he felt it was fitting to name it after his mentor, who shares a deep passion for these microscopic worms. Adams was thrilled to have a nematode species named after him, considering it an incredible honor.
Nematodes are tiny roundworms that inhabit various environments, ranging from mountaintops to ocean floors. Adams, who began studying nematodes as an undergraduate at BYU, has explored different regions, discovering them in locations from the deserts of North America to the cold, dry expanses of Antarctica. He explained that nematodes are essential to life on our planet since they play a crucial role in sustaining life.
The newly discovered nematode, Steinernema adamsi, belongs to a group of beneficial nematodes that infect and eliminate insect pests like fleas and gnats. Some nematode types are even commercially available for pest control.
Dillman found the worm during field research in Thailand. Although he has not yet identified the specific insect it infests, he believes that the discovery could have practical applications and contribute to biologists’ understanding of this species.
Adams has mentored over a hundred students in nematode research, and Dillman, inspired by Adams, has developed a passion for these tiny creatures. Dillman attributes a shift in his career trajectory to the mentorship he received from Adams, including a research trip to Antarctica.
Adams is proud of Dillman’s challenging work in nematode research and is delighted to see his former students making a positive impact at other academic institutions. Dillman, who is now a professor himself, has adopted Adams’ philosophy of involving students in his own lab work, an approach he greatly values. ×Photos
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Cassidy Wixom covers Utah County communities and is the evening breaking news reporter for KSL.com.More stories you may be interested in
