Lawrence (Lerry) Lacey is a research entomologist-insect pathologist at the USDA-ARS Yakima Agricultural Research Laboratory in Wapato, WA where he has worked since 1996. He conducts research on pathogens of fruit tree and potato pest insects. His research focuses on pathogens of codling moth, leafrollers, wireworms, and green peach aphids. He also serves as adjunct professor in the Department of Entomology at Washington State University.

Prior to coming to Washington, Lerry had extensive foreign experience. Working for USDA-ARS in Montpellier, France, he studied pathogens and parasites of foreign insect pests that have been introduced into the U.S. His explorations took him to Europe, the Middle East, and throughout Asia and South America. Working for USDA-ARS in Portugal, Lerry planned, implemented and coordinated the biological control component of the Japanese beetle control effort on Terceira, Azores, where he evaluated the efficacy and feasibility of several pathogens and parasites for use in that control program.

Lerry is also experienced in insect vectors important in human and animal disease. He has conducted field work in asia, Central and South America, Oceania and the Caribbean basin.

Lerry holds a Ph.D. in Medical Entomology, Insect Pathology, and a M.S. in Medical Entomology, both from the University of California, Riverside. His B.A. is in Biology from California State University, Turlock. Lerry is fluent in Portuguese and and has functional language skills in French and Spanish.