Research & Development

Joe Doccola - Strategic Advisor of Research and Development

Joe is an ISA Certified Arborist and Plant Health Care Specialist with over 30 years of experience in the horticultural and arboricultural fields. Joe was educated at Cornell University in Plant Sciences and at the New York Botanical Garden in Horticulture. He has worked in commercial, residential and public environments, and managed Plant Health Care in Prospect Park, for the City of New York. For over 15 years, Joe has developed research methods for Arborjet technology and has established cooperative studies with universities, the USFS and private entities in efforts to manage invasive and destructive tree pests.  He has authored and co-authored publications on destructive pests of trees such as the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, Erythrina Gall Wasp, and Emerald Ash Borer.

Don Grosman - Technology Advancement Manager

Since joining the Arborjet team in 2013, Don Grosman is utilizing his broad knowledge of entomology and insect control strategies to help develop the next evolution in plant health technology. He holds a PhD. in Entomology from the Virginia Tech, a M.S. in Forestry from the University of Maine, Orono, and Bachelor of Science in Forest Biology from SUNY-CESF, Syracuse. Previously, Don served as Coordinator of the Forest Pest Management Cooperative based with the Texas Forest Service (17 years). He has conducted ground-breaking research in protecting the urban and natural forests against pests, including bark beetles, seed and cone insects, pine tip moth, and leaf-cutting ants. He has also discovered the efficacy of emamectin benzoate against several pine bark beetles, ambrosia beetles, and stem gall wasps.

At Arborjet, Don coordinates with Director of Research & Development Joe Doccola and President Russ Davis to identify, develop, and evaluate environmentally friendly and effective products and application systems for southern and western United States markets. He conducts laboratory and field bioassays with emphasis on the applied control of natural and urban forest insect and disease. A prolific author, Don has been published in numerous peer-reviewed journals; is a frequent presenter at conferences; and is a member of various societies and committees including the Entomological Society of America and the International Society of Arboriculture – Texas. Don has been recognized with several awards such as the Forest Research Award and the Vice Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Services.

Don has relocated with family to New Hampshire. Outside work, he spends time with family, wood carving, and repairing his log home, and in 2016 he started a Christmas tree farm.

Sabesh Kanagalingam - Director of Research and Development

Sabesh Kanagalingam, a seasoned product development scientist with over 20 years’ experience in sustainable agriculture and horticulture R&D, excels in aligning innovations with customer needs. His expertise spans polymer chemistry, diverse particle engineering, and formulation technologies, evident in his leadership roles at Agrium and Indigo Ag, where he pioneered products like ESN® nitrogen fertilizers and formulated microbials.

As Head of CMC at Dermbiont Inc., Sabesh drove hands-on formulation development and manufacturing of biologic-containing powder suspensions and emulsions. His consultancy work with prominent clients like Florikan, Solarea Bio, Bambu Global, CaviSense and SCD Probiotics demonstrates his contribution to pharma and agri/horti products.

Educated at the University of Waterloo and the University of Toronto, with a Ph.D. in Polymer Chemistry, Sabesh is also a Project Management Professional, underscoring his commitment to project excellence. With 18 patents and 40+ publications across various scientific fields, including agriculture/horticulture, Sabesh’s career mirrors his versatility and leadership in advancing sustainable solutions. In his free time, he enjoys cooking and fusing international cuisine.

Evan Sorger - Research Associate and Lab Technician

Arborjet has hired Evan Sorger from Medford, Massachusetts as a Research Associate and Lab Technician. He will assist in all aspects of executing experiments in the lab, help perform formulations, and aid in various bioassay projects both locally and abroad. 

Sorger says that he’s always been passionate about the outdoors and has been looking for a way to get more involved within the industry. “I’d like to help mitigate the various external risks that face native flora every day. Arborjet seems to have an influential role in this important industry, and I couldn’t be happier to be a part of the organization.” 

His past experience includes hazardous waste management and inventory coordination in the cannabis industry. Sorger attended the University of New Hampshire and graduated with a BS in Environmental Science.