Skip to main content
WVU Home

Current Projects

  • DSFAS Partnership: Multimodal Data Fusion for Early Detection of Forest Invasive Pests through UAS-based Continual Learning, 2025-2029. USDA NIFA Foundational and Applied Sciences Program.
  • Development of Entomology Open Educational Resources for WV Educators and Students, 2025-2026. WV Higher Education Policy Commission.
  • Spatially Targeted Biological Control of Invasive Plants Using Autonomous Drones and Machine Learning: Aerial Plant Detection and Deployment of Natural Enemy Insects and Native Seeds for Site Restoration, 2025-2027. USDA Forest Service.
  • Proof of Concept Using Machine Learning for Automated Identification of Trapped Fruit Flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) of Quarantine Importance in the USA, 2025-2026. USDA APHIS.
  • Detection of the invasive yellow-legged hornet’s nests (Vespa velutina) in the field using drones, sensors, and computer vision, 2025-2026. USDA APHIS.
  • Allegheny National Forest Ash Health Monitoring with Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems, 2023-2025, USDA Forest Service Joint Venture Agreement.
  • Drone-Assisted Precision IPM to Manage and Prevent Reinvasion of Invasive Plants, 2023-2026. USDA AFRI CPPM ARDP.
  • Spatially-Targeted Biological Control of Invasive Plants Using Precision Aerial Release of Natural Enemy Insects, 2023-2028. USDA Forest Service BCIFP.
  • Meet the Dung Beetles, Identifying Communities and Assessing Threats to Dung Beetles of WV, USDA NIFA AFRI. 2022-2025.
  • Development of Open Educational Resources for Entomology Classes in Appalachian Region, 2022-2025. WVU Libararies.
  • Risk Assessment and Management of Spotted Lanternfly in WV Specialty Crops through Research and Outreach, WV Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. 2021-2024.
  • Detection of Invasive Pests Using Drones and Sensors in Various Agroecosystems, 2024-2029. Hatch Project.

Past Projects

  • Integrated Invasive Pest Survey Using Satellites, Unmanned Aerial Systems, Sensors, and Artificial Intelligence, 2021-2024. USDA-NIFA AFRI Foundational Program: Tactical Science for Agricultural Biosecurity.
  • Forest Canopy Health Monitoring Protocols for UAS/Multisensor System for Mixed-Hardwood Forests Damaged by Invasive Insects, 2019-2022. USDA Forest Service.
  • Spatiotemporal Interactions among Mile-A-Minute Weed, Its Natural Enemy, and Environment, 2019-2024. Hatch Project (WVA00724), West Virginia University.
  • Tissue-Specific Engineering of Terpenes with Activity against Aphids in Cultivated Tomato , 2018-2021. USDA-NIFA AFRI Foundational Program.
  • Implementation of Small Unmanned Aerial Systems for the Management of Invasive Plants in Eastern North America Using Biological Control, 2017-2021. USDA Forest Service.
  • An Areawide Biointensive Management Plan for Brown Marmorated Stink Bug to Reduce Impacts throughout the Agro-Urban Interface, 2016-2021. USDA-ARS Invasive Pests of Crops, Crop Production and Protection Programs
  • Development of Precision Pollination Robot , 2016-2021. USDA-NIFA AFRI National Robotics Initiative.
  • International Pollinator Project, 2018-2019. WVU Davis College Faculty Enhancement Grant and WVU Faculty Senate Travel Grant
  • Citizen science projects with bees, veterans, and WV citizens, 2018-2019. WVU Davis College C2D2 Program and WVU Faculty Senate Grant for Community Engagement
  • Implementation of Small Unmanned Aerial Systems for the Management of Invasive Plants in Eastern North America Using Biological Control, 2018-2019. USDA APHIS Farm Bill.
  • Proximal and Remote Sensing of Alfalfa Canopies for Early Detection of Insect Pest Stress and Rapid Integrated Pest Management Decision-Making, 2017-2020. USDA-NIFA AFRI Alfalfa and Forage Research Program.
  • Effects of Imidacloprid Treatment of Hemlocks on Aquatic Ecosystems: Is the cure worse than the disease? 2017-2019. USGS/National Park Service Water Quality Partnership Program and Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, West Virginia University, 
  • Effects of Imidacloprid on Soil Macrofauna within Riparian Hemlock Forests, 2016-2020. National Park Service and CESU.
  • Aerial monitoring of orchard pests using unmanned aerial system, 2015-2016. State Horticulture Association of Pennsylvania.
  • Development of Mobile Insect Zoo, 2015-2016 Community Engagement Grant, WVU Faculty Senate.
  • Building Attract-and-Kill Systems for Management of Brown Marmorated Stink Bug in Apple Orchards, 2014-2017. Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education.
  • Effect of Climate Change on Multitrophic Interactions among Crops, Bees, and Pests, 2014-2015. USDA-NIFA AFRI Foundational Program: Climate Change and Variability.
  • Development of Systems for Predicting Spatial Distribution of Stink Bugs using Geospatial Analysis, Sensing Technology, and Population Genetics, 2013-2015. National Academy of Agricultural Science, Korea.
  • Development of UAV/AAV Systems for Forest Insect Pest Management, 2011-2017. USDA Forest Service.
  • Organic Stink Bug Management through Research and Education, 2011-2017. USDA-NIFA AFRI Organic Research and Education Initiative.
  • Management of Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs on Specialty Crops in West Virginia, 2011-2014. USDA-WV Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.
  • Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Control in Fruit Orchard, 2011-2012. State Horticulture Association of Pennsylvania.
  • Attracting Generalist Natural Enemies Using Pheromones, 2010-2011. State Horticulture Association of Pennsylvania.
  • Educational Outreach with WVU Insect Zoo Programs, 2010-2011. WVU Grants for Public Service.
  • Extension Integrated Pest Management, 2009. USDA Extension Integrated Pest Management Coordination and Support Program.
  • Cacapon River Watershed Sediment and Nutrient Reduction Program for Farms, 2009-2013. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Ser vice.
  • Landscape-Scale Detection of Pests Using Geospatial and Aerospace Technologies, 2008-2009. Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, West Virginia University.
  • Site-Specific Biological Control Using Pheromones, 2008-2009. Faculty Senate Grant at West Virginia University.
  • Imidacloprid Impact on Insect Fauna Associated with Eastern Hemlock, 2006-2010. USDA Forest Service.
  • Continued Development of IPM PIPE Risk Management, 2007-2009. USDA Cooperative Extension & North Carolina State University.