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.
At the time Dr. James Cuda received this honor, it was known as the Southern IPM Lifetime Achievement Award. The award has since been renamed the Southern IPM Hall of Fame Award and continues to recognize individuals whose careers have had a lasting impact on integrated pest management.
James Cuda, University of Florida
Written by Abbey Stewart
Dr. James P. Cuda was a professor and a Fulbright Scholar in the Department of Entomology and Nematology at the University of Florida. Dr. Cuda earned his B.S. and M.S. in Zoology at Southern Illinois University before completing a Ph.D. in Entomology at Texas A&M University.
At the University of Florida, Dr. Cuda’s research focused on the sustainable management of invasive weeds, with a particular emphasis on biological control
In 2001, Dr. Cuda was awarded a grant from the Southern Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program titled “Delivery of Biological Control Information and Technology in Florida.” This grant facilitated practical training in biological control and IPM for conventional and organic growers, Master Gardeners, and other pest consultants. The grant provided critical resources to address knowledge gaps among Florida’s Extension professionals by developing educational tools and in-service training programs on biological control techniques and IPM protocols. The grant also funded the first year of IPM Florida, a clearinghouse website that is a wealth of current information on biological control and IPM technologies.
These technologies, which Dr. Cuda played a key role in developing, are critical for reducing the risk of environmental contamination, food poisoning, and human and animal illnesses caused by the misuse of pesticides in Florida.
Through an internationally recognized research program, Dr. Cuda made significant contributions to the successful management of invasive weed species in both aquatic and terrestrial environments. He also made important discoveries about the attributes of successful introductions of exotic biological control agents that mitigate invasion without disrupting native species.
Dr. Cuda published over 120 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters.
Dr. Cuda also had a significant impact on IPM in the southern region through teaching and Extension efforts. In his course, “Consequences of Biological Invasions,” Dr. Cuda pioneered novel methods for delivering course materials online, contributing to the development of one of the first online majors at the University of Florida.
In addition, Dr. Cuda was a talented and dedicated mentor. Dr. Cuda chaired 12 graduate student committees, served as a co-chair or member on an additional 7 committees, and mentored 14 undergraduate honors students. Many of his students and post-docs have gone on to hold important academic and industry positions.
By advancing IPM through innovative research, impactful teaching, and mentoring future IPM professionals, Dr. James Cuda has made enduring contributions to IPM in the southern region and to its continued success.