Brian Forschler

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. Brian T. Forschler

Brian T. Forschler, University of Georgia

Brian T. Forschler is a Professor and Principal Investigator for the Household and Structural Entomology Research Program at the University of Georgia.

Brian’s research program has focused on developing decision criteria for cost-effective and environmentally conscious management of structural and urban pests. His program also prioritizes distributing IPM information to policymakers, practitioners, and the general public.

Over the last thirty years, Brian has worked on developing and applying IPM principles to control urban and structural pests, including corn rootworm (Helicoverpa zea), ants, mosquitoes, and termites.

As a member of the Georgia Department of Agriculture Structural Pest Control Commission (GDA SPCC), Brian led the effort to define IPM in structural entomology. Brian shaped structural IPM terminology and principles when he revised the Georgia Department of Agriculture SPCCC Employee Registration Manual to include an IPM section for the first time.

Despite not having a formal Extension appointment, Brian has significantly impacted the acceptance and implementation of IPM through countless Extension publications, IPM presentations, and popular press articles.

Brian is also the Editor-in-Chief of Insects, an open-access journal. He works tirelessly to ensure that his colleagues, students, and the general public have greater access to IPM information through the journal.

A respected leader and dedicated advocate for IPM on campus, Brian teaches a cross-disciplinary IPM course for undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Georgia. Over the last ten years, hundreds of students have taken his course and learned about the history, evolution, and future of IPM principles.

Because of his excellence in urban entomology, Brian has received numerous accolades, including the University Recognition Award from Orkin Pest Control, which he has received six times throughout his career. In 2018, Brian was also awarded the National Conference of Urban Entomology Distinguished Achievement Award, an award that recognizes dedicated professionals who have made significant contributions to the field of urban entomology.

It is evident that Brian has made outstanding contributions to IPM in urban and structural settings during his career and is an excellent inductee into the IPM Hall of Fame.

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