Dr. Oscar Liburd
Professor in the Entomology and Nematology Department of the University of Florida, Gainesville, FL. USA.
For the past 20 years working in integrated pest management (IPM) of small fruits (blueberries, strawberries grapes, blackberries) and organic vegetables. His research focuses on monitoring and surveillance of invasive species, biological control, and behavioral management of arthropod pests including thrips, mites, gall midges and fruit flies. He has received more than $15 million USD to support his research and has published more than 150 research papers and trained more than 48 graduate students receiving MS, DPM and Ph.D. degrees. He has received numerous awards including the 2020 Recognition Award from the Entomological Society of America, 2019 Outstanding Service Award from the Entomological Society of America, 2016 Bright Idea Award from the Southern Region USA IPM Center. Dr. Liburd also served as President of the southeastern branch, Entomological Society of America (2018 -2019) and has been an IFAS-Term distinguished Professor for two consecutive terms (2017 – 2023).