Cory Straub

Cory Straub is an Associate Professor of Biology at Ursinus College, specializing in agroecology and insect ecology. He holds a Ph.D. from Washington State University and completed postdoctoral research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His research focuses on ecological strategies to control agricultural pests, emphasizing conservation of beneficial insects and predator-prey interactions to reduce reliance on chemical insecticides.

Education:

• B.A., Indiana University of Pennsylvania
• M.S., Central Washington University
• Ph.D., Washington State University

Research Interests:

• Agroecology: Studying how plant diversity and predator biodiversity influence pest control in agricultural systems.
• Conservation of Beneficial Insects: Exploring methods to protect and utilize natural enemies for sustainable pest management.
• Predator-Prey Interactions: Investigating how predator diversity and species identity affect herbivore suppression and ecosystem services.

Advising & Grants:

• Advises undergraduate researchers including N. P. Simasek, M. R. Gapinski, and others in field and lab studies.
• Research has been supported by grants focusing on ecological pest control strategies.

Labs & Teams: The Straub Lab at Ursinus College conducts interdisciplinary research at the intersection of ecology and agriculture, collaborating with institutions like the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy to advance conservation efforts.