Entomology welcomed Dr. Sam Ward to the Department on July 10, 2023 as Assistant Professor of Forest Entomology, joining Dr. Kayla Perry to create a strong forest entomology research, teaching, and extension team. Dr. Ward’s Landscaped Ecosystem and Forest Entomology lab conducts applied research on the ecology and management of arthropods, emphasizing insect pests of trees, and is based on the Columbus Campus. Sam’s lab focuses on trying to make the world a better, more equitable place, not only through efforts in environmental stewardship, but by recruiting and supporting lab members from a diversity of backgrounds and beliefs.
Sam joins us by way of the Mississippi State University, where from 2020-2023, he was Assistant Professor of Insect Ecology in the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology, and Plant Pathology. Sam earned his M.S. and Ph.D. in Entomology at the University of Minnesota, then spent two years as a postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources at Purdue University. You can read more about Sam on our website.
Sam’s office is located in Kottman Hall, his lab is based at the Rothenbuhler Honey Bee lab on the Waterman Farm. He can be reached at ward.1792@osu.edu.