M. Eric Benbow

Dr. M. Eric Benbow is a Professor in the Department of Entomology at Michigan State University (MSU) with a joint appointment in the College of Osteopathic Medicine. His work bridges community ecology, entomology, and human health through interdisciplinary research on insect-microbe interactions in carrion decomposition, aquatic systems, and disease ecology.

• PhD & BS: University of Dayton (1999 & 1994)
• Research focuses: Microbiome dynamics, forensic applications, and disease transmission
• Key outreach: One Health concept integration, international documentaries, XPRIZE Rainforest Competition

Research Trends: Recent publications emphasize carrion microbiomes as forensic tools, mycobacterial disease seasonality, and plastic biodegradation by insects. His work spans applied ecology, disease modeling, and microbial community analysis across aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.

Scientific Contributions:

• National Science Foundation (NSF) grants (including $2.5M in 2021)
• National Institute of Justice (NIJ) funding for postmortem microbiome studies

Labs & Collaborations: Leads the Benbow Research Lab at MSU, focusing on ecological networks, forensic microbiomes, and sustainable insect-based solutions for food security and environmental health.