Phillip Kaufman

Friends of IPM Awards

The mission of the Southern IPM Center is to champion the development and adoption of integrated pest management (IPM), the science of managing pests while protecting people, the environment and economy. Each Regional Center engages broadly with stakeholders to identify and address regional pest priorities in agriculture, communities and natural areas.

Since 2003, the Southern IPM Center (SIPMC) has worked with USDA, Land Grant universities, Extension, and many other partners in promoting and facilitating the development and implementation of IPM in many settings across the region.

Many of these partners have contributed to the region’s well-being for years or even decades.

Hall of Fame

The Southern IPM Hall of Fame award recognizes individuals who have contributed to any important aspect of Southern IPM over many years with documented history of career achievements in IPM.

Along with authorship of educational materials, research papers, manuals, books, and presentations of IPM material, Hall of Fame award candidates have greatly impacted IPM in the Southern region over the lifetime of their career.

Dr. Phillip Kaufman

Phillip Kaufman, Texas A&M University
Dr. Phillip Kaufman is a Professor and Department Head of the Department of Entomology at Texas A&M University. He specializes in livestock and veterinary entomology, particularly the management of ticks and filth flies.

Dr. Kaufman’s research has focused on developing and improving IPM systems for livestock and companion animals. His IPM efforts have included basic cultural and physical control strategies, adaptation of biological approaches, and the preservation of existing pesticides through resistance monitoring. Phillip’s work has also involved the development of novel lower-toxicity pesticides.

Specifically, Phillip has worked to identify producer challenges, solve pest management issues through science-based discovery and development, and ultimately teach producers new, beneficial IPM techniques for implementation in agricultural settings.

His specific pest foci include filth fly management in cattle and livestock farms, and brown dog tick management, greatly improving insect pest control in diverse settings.

Although the brown dog tick was previously uncontrollable, Phillip’s groundbreaking IPM research characterized insecticide resistance in brown dog ticks and identified a viable biological control agent to manage the pest. As a result, Phillip developed a brown dog tick Best Management Program.

Phillip’s program reduced domestic pesticide application and provided Florida residents with alternative tick management tactics.

Phillip has significantly contributed to IPM knowledge through publications, seminars, and presentations. Phillip has published over 85 Extension publications, including fact sheets, videos, and pest management guidelines. Phillip has also delivered many enlightening IPM seminars at the University of Georgia, Texas A&M University, and the University of Texas.

To enhance IPM awareness, Phillip has also provided numerous presentations at field days and training events. For multiple years, Phillip taught 4th-grade students in Illinois 4-H about IPM on Agriculture Appreciation Day. Fun and informative, Phillip’s presentations emphasized the importance of IPM to a delighted young audience.

He has also been exceptionally prolific in his IPM Extension efforts. He has organized several producer-oriented workshops, generated many “how-to” videos, and delivered over 100 Extension presentations to producers and county agents. Phillip uses various promotional media, including websites and social media, to spread IPM information.

In recognition of his impactful contributions to IPM, Phil has received the Lifetime Achievement Award in Veterinary Entomology, the ESA MUVE Recognition Award in Medical, Urban, & Veterinary Entomology, and the ESA SEB Distinguished Achievement Award in IPM. These awards, among many others, highlight a distinguished and impactful career in IPM.

In the last 26 years, Phillip has made extensive contributions to IPM through research, public service, and Extension, substantially affecting IPM in the Southern region and across the United States.

2024 Professional Awardees

IPM Hall of Fame: Dr. Gene Reagan* (posthumous award), LSU AgCenter
IPM Hall of Fame: Dr. Phillip Kaufman, Texas A&M
IPM Hall of Fame: Dr. Brian T. Forschler, University of Georgia
IPM Hall of Fame: Dr. Jawwad Qureshi, University of Florida
Pulling Together: Emerging Viruses in Cucurbits Working Group
- Led by Dr. Rebecca Melanson, Mississippi State & William (Bill) M Wintermantel, USDA-ARS
IPM Communicator: Mr. Elmer W. Gray, University of Georgia
IPM Educator: Dr. Cameron Jack, University of Florida
IPM Implementer: Mr. Dan Killingsworth, Environmental Security Pest Control
Future Leader: Dr. Tommy Butts, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture