Nazzy Pakpour, PhD, will deliver a seminar titled “Curiosity Made the Scientist” at UC Davis on Wednesday, March 11. The event is scheduled for 12:10 p.m. in Briggs Hall and will also be available via Zoom.
Pakpour is an alumna of UC Davis and currently serves as co-founder and chief executive officer of Yeast Bay Bio, a biotech company based in Davis. Her career includes roles as an entomologist, research scientist, children’s book author, mother of two, former professor, and entrepreneur.
In her upcoming talk hosted by the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology, Pakpour plans to discuss her journey from undergraduate studies in entomology at UC Davis to postdoctoral research at the university’s School of Medicine. She will describe how her time as a professor at California State University (CSU), East Bay influenced her interest in applied science before she transitioned into industry roles such as senior scientist with Novonesis.
“I will walk through the scientific and entrepreneurial path that led to the founding of Yeast Bay Bio, a startup developing species specific home pest control using RNA interference delivered in yeast,” Pakpour said. “I will unpack the science behind the technology, describe the earliest steps of turning a research idea into a potential product, and explain why building a company is somehow both simpler and far more complicated than it first appears.”
She added humorously: “I decided the best way to kill cockroaches might be to start a biotech company.”
Yeast Bay Bio was established in 2025 with a focus on creating non-toxic pest control solutions. On her website, Pakpour states: “I’ve always been fascinated by bugs and microbiology, and now I get to combine those passions to build an innovative yeast-based solution that controls insect pests without harming people, pets, or the planet.” She further explains: “We are developing powerful, species-specific biocontrols using innovative yeast technology. Finally, you can eliminate pests from your home without the risk to people, pets, or the surrounding ecosystem.”
Pakpour holds a bachelor’s degree in entomology with an English minor from UC Davis (1999) and earned her doctorate in microbiology, virology and parasitology from the University of Pennsylvania in 2008. Her professional background includes postdoctoral work at UC Davis under mosquito researcher Shirley Luckhart between 2008-2015.
She has also contributed as an author with her children’s book “Please Don’t Bite Me!” about biting insects. In describing it she writes: “Mosquitos, wasps, flies and fleas… Buzzing, biting, and causing irritating lumps on your skin. But what if there is more to these irritating insects than meets the eye This question and more are answered in this book that explores the lives of some of the most irritating buzzing, biting and stinging insects.”
For questions regarding technical issues related to Zoom access for this seminar or for additional information about attending virtually or in person at Briggs Hall room 122 on March 11th at 12:10 p.m., contact seminar coordinator Marshall McMunn.
UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR), affiliated with the University of California, supports communities statewide by sharing science-based practices through research centers located across diverse ecosystems. It maintains offices throughout all California counties along with nine Research and Extension Centers serving as living laboratories (source). Glenda Humiston currently serves as vice president (source). For over one hundred years,UC ANR has provided resources related to nutrition education, food systems development and youth programs while supporting environmental conservation efforts.
