SENEKERIM DOHANIAN: Uncle Sam's Ace Insect Hunter

By Robert Hart Coulter

Born in Malatya, Turkey, in 1889, Senekerim Dohanian survived the [Hamidian] massacres of 1895-1896 that claimed the lives of his father, grandfather, and 200,000 others. He immigrated to the U.S. in 1903, and, within twelve years, he had earned a bachelor's degree from Tufts University and a master's degree from Harvard. Dohanian served as a pioneering entomologist with the USDA from 1915 to 1959. Throughout his career, he was at the forefront of biological control of insect pests. His work has left a lasting legacy on both science and society.

This documentary was research, written, and produced by Dohanian's 12-year old great, great nephew, Robert Coulter, who won the 2009 National History Day contest for this project (www.UncleSennie.com). (10 minutes)

Author Published (2009)