Retirement Lunch on May 21 for Nematalogists Steve Nadler, Becky Westerdahl

UC Davis Distinguished Professor Steve Nadler and Professor/Extension Becky Brown Westerdahl of the Department of Entomology and Nematology will be honored at a retirement luncheon on Thursday, May 21 in the UC Davis Student Community Center.  

Their service to UC Davis totals 70 years; Westerdahl, 40, and Nadler, 30. 

The program and luncheon will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the multipurpose room, second floor. 

The nematologists began their careers at UC Davis as members of the faculty of the Department of Nematology, which officially folded into the name, the Department of Entomology and Nematology, on May 28, 2013.

Steve Nadler

Nadler, formerly an associate professor with the Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, joined the UC Davis Department of Nematology as an associate professor in 1996. He advanced to professor in 2011. During his career at UC Davis, he chaired both the Department of Nematology (May 2005 to June 2011) and the Department of Entomology and Nematology (January 2016 to June 2023.)

Nadler holds a bachelor's degree in biology, cum laude, from Missouri State University (1980), and two degrees in parasitology from the Louisiana State University, Medical Center: a master's degree (1982) and doctorate (1985).

Highlights of his career:

Research Side. "On the research side, I was able to collaborate with UC colleagues on National Science Foundation-funded research to investigate the systematics and phylogenetics of free-living soil nematodes, which was an entirely new area for me. This was really exciting because it has provided me with a more comprehensive understanding of nematodes beyond the vertebrate parasites that I was familiar with."

Administrative Side. "On the administrative side, my 14-year service as a department chair (first for Nematology, then Entomology and Nematology) was particularly rewarding when our persistent department-wide efforts succeeded in recruiting several highly regarded new faculty. Similarly, our efforts over many years for approval to renovate our teaching spaces finally succeeded in 2025." 

Teaching Side. "With respect to teaching, it has been great to educate so many undergraduates in upper division courses on nematodes (NEM 110) and parasites (ENT 156)!"

Plans after retirement?

"In retirement, I'm looking forward to having more time to spend on hobbies, including music, vintage autos, fishing and travel," Nadler said. "I'll miss my daily interactions with colleagues and students in the lab, although I may explore new ways to continue some of those activities on a more limited basis."

Becky Brown Westerdahl

Westerdahl, specializing in the interactive management of plant parasitic nematodes,  joined the UC Davis Department of Nematology as an assistant professor/Extension nematologist in 1986 and advanced to associate professor/Extension nematologist in 1995, and as professor/Extension nematologist in 2002. 

She received her bachelor's degree in biology, cum laude, in 1972 from Chapman University, Orange, Calif., and her doctorate in biology and nematology in 1978 from UC Riverside.

Highlights of Her Career

• "Developing sustainable management scenarios for nematodes through working with 102 Farm Advisors from 41 counties on 99 crops."
• "Developing and teaching Nem204 Management of Plant Parasitic-Nematodes and the online course Nem10V General Biology."
• "Mentoring several post docs and graduate students who have succeeded in strategic private and public positions in agriculture. Examples: Umesh Kodira and John Chitambar, California Department of Food and Agriculture; Kristi Sanchez at TriCal; and Jack Qiu with the U.S. Department of Agriculture."

 Plans after retirement? 
"Try to learn to say no," Westerdahl quipped.

"I will miss working with an amazing staff that always had my back," Westerdahl said. She is looking forward to "travel and more travel." Her special interests include "Anything to do with computers including perfecting how to have my Tesla Model Y drive me everywhere." 

To make reservations or to obtain more information about the retirement luncheon, contact Chelsea Hogan at [email protected]. She is also accepting photos and anecdotes for the program.