John Ruberson named head of entomology department

July 11, 2018

Lincoln, Neb. — John Ruberson, current professor and head of the Department of Entomology at Kansas State University, will join the University of Nebraska­–Lincoln Jan. 1, 2019, as head of the Department of Entomology.

“We are pleased to welcome Dr. Ruberson to IANR to lead the Department of Entomology. His leadership and professional experience in the field will be of great benefit to our teaching, research and outreach efforts,” said IANR Senior Associate Vice Chancellor Ron Yoder. “We would like to thank Gary Brewer for his steadfast leadership of the department during this time of transition.”

Brewer, professor of entomology, will continue to serve as interim department head until Ruberson assumes the role.

The Department of Entomology focuses on insects, and their interactions with plants, animals and humans. Given the climatic and agricultural diversity across Nebraska, the department dedicates extensive efforts to developing improved management thresholds and information on current and emerging pest species, insecticide resistance, and other related issues affecting crops, livestock, and human health in the state. It is also active in STEM education efforts in K-12 curriculum and offers extensive online entomological programming.

“This is a wonderful department and institution, and it is a great honor to be named head of the Department of Entomology at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln,” Ruberson said. “I very much look forward to sharing and fostering the already strong trajectory of this remarkable group of faculty, staff and students. And I’m very excited to be coming home to Nebraska to be a part of an organization that strengthens Nebraskans and the world.” 

Ruberson has been at Kansas State since 2012. As department head he manages personnel, curriculum, budgets and facilities for the department. In addition, he serves as departmental graduate program director and teaches one face-to-face course and co-teaches two online courses annually. Prior to Kansas State, from 1994-2012 Ruberson was at the University of Georgia coming through the ranks of research scientist, assistant professor, associate professor, and professor with appointments in research, teaching and extension. His professional expertise is in biological control, integrated pest management and sustainable crop production.

Ruberson earned his bachelor’s degree in biology teaching and his master’s degree in zoology from Brigham Young University. He earned his doctorate in entomology from Cornell University in 1989, where he also served as a graduate research assistant and postdoctoral research associate.

To learn more about the Department of Entomology, visit https://entomology.unl.edu/.