Scott Graham

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.

Future Leader Award

The Future Leader award recognizes the extraordinary potential and promise of IPM professionals in the early stages of their careers.

Dr. Scott Graham

Dr. Scott Graham is an Extension Specialist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology at Auburn University who specializes in row crop entomology with an emphasis on cotton, peanuts, and soybeans. In his position, Scott conducts applied research to advance innovative IPM strategies for controlling row crop pests.

Scott’s Extension program aims to support stakeholders and leverage applied research to improve the economic variability of cotton, peanut, and soybean production in Alabama.

Scott’s research contributions extend beyond the field, as he regularly shares his findings with the broader scientific community through published work. He has authored or co-authored seven research papers, 16 peer-reviewed Extension publications, and 40 non-refereed journal articles. Scott’s technical reports summarize replicated research on applied management of row crop pests and serve as a resource for other applied entomologists to gauge the effectiveness of different management approaches.

To engage growers and the general public, Scott writes compelling blog posts for the Alabama Insects Blog. This blog provides timely updates on insect activity, pest management strategies, and insights into cotton and row crop production across Alabama.

During his time at Auburn University, Scott has built strong relationships with row crop producers and commodity groups and consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership. In Fall 2024, he was recognized for his excellent service in support of Alabama farmers and crop consultants by the Alabama Agricultural Consultants Association.

Scott also served as the chair for the Southeastern Row Crop Entomologists Working Group, a collaborative assemblage of Extension agents and university research scientists who conduct IPM research in cotton and other row crops. At the national level, Scott works with the Cotton States Arthropod Pest Management Working Group to review current insect management techniques in cotton and row crops across the Cotton Belt and improve future management practices.

In addition to stakeholder support, Scott’s Extension program highly prioritizes student mentorship and shaping the next generation of IPM practitioners. Since starting his role in April 2020, Scott has successfully graduated two master’s students and one Ph.D. student from his program. Currently, he is the lead advisor for two Ph.D. students and two master’s students, each working on projects to advance IPM in Alabama and the southeastern U.S.
However, Scott’s mentorship extends beyond the university. He leads the annual Alabama Cotton and Soybean Scout Schools, workshops designed to educate growers on monitoring techniques, economic thresholds, and insecticide control recommendations for key insect pests. Scott and his graduate students teach growers how to identify beneficial insects commonly found in row crops. Since he began leading the workshops, Scott has helped train 574 scouts across Alabama, thoroughly equipping them to utilize IPM strategies to mitigate row crop pests.

Dr. Scott Graham has quickly distinguished himself as a rising leader in IPM through his impactful research, strong stakeholder engagement, and commitment to student mentorship.

2025 Friends of IPM Awardees

Bright Idea Award: Dr. Nupur Sarkar, Dr. Lina Bernaola, and the Bernaola Lab, Texas A&M University
Pulling Together Award: MyIPM for Vegetables team, led by Drs. Rebecca A. Melanson, Tom Kuhar, Tom Bilbo, and Inga Meadows
IPM Educator Award: Dr. Sonja Swiger, Texas A&M University
Future Leader Award: Dr. Scott Graham, Auburn University
IPM Hall of Fame Award: Eddie McGriff, Alabama Cooperative Extension System
Doctoral Student Award (2 winners):
- Rogan Tokach, Auburn University
- Caitlyn Lawton, Auburn University