F. William Ravlin

Dr. F. William Ravlin is a Professor and Chairperson of the Department of Entomology at Michigan State University (MSU), appointed since August 2014. Previously, he served as Professor and Associate Director at Ohio State University (OSU) from 1998–2014 and held academic roles at Virginia Tech from 1980–1998. His work spans 35 years in research, teaching, and extension, with a focus on integrated pest management (IPM), computer-aided decision systems, and forest entomology. He has overseen interdisciplinary teams, secured over $17M in grants, and pioneered the nationally recognized gypsy moth IPM program while at Virginia Tech.

Dr. Ravlin’s research concentrates on gypsy moth and emerald ash borer management, including pheromone-based communication, biological control, and modeling insect population dynamics. His innovations include microprocessor-controlled environmental chambers for insect studies and GIS-driven defoliation prediction systems. He has authored/co-authored over 200 scientific publications and presentations.

His leadership roles include coordinating Virginia’s IPM program and serving on the Experiment Station Committee on Policy’s Science & Technology Committee, which developed a roadmap for Land Grant Universities. Dr. Ravlin’s current assignments balance research (33%), teaching (34%), and extension (33%). He is also Professor Emeritus at OSU’s Department of Entomology.

Notable contributions include advancing parasitoid biocontrol strategies for invasive species and developing decision-support systems for forest pest management. His photography work highlights insect and natural landscapes, reflecting his dual passion for science and art.