Raul Villanueva

Raul Villanueva is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Entomology at the University of Kentucky’s Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. Based at the University of Kentucky-Research and Education Center in Princeton, KY, he focuses on applied entomology in field crops like wheat, corn, and soybeans. His extension programs address pest management across diverse crops in western Kentucky. He holds a Ph.D. in Entomology from the University of Florida and an M.Sc. in Biology from Queen’s University, Canada.

Research interests include aphid-borne diseases (BYDV), stink bug diversity, slug-crop interactions, Dectes stem borer biology, and management of invasive species like the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug. He currently advises three graduate students on projects funded by organizations such as the Kentucky Soybean Promotion Board and USDA-NIFA. Collaborative projects emphasize interdisciplinary teams and student mentorship.

Publications span topics like sugarcane aphid economic impacts and sorghum resistance mechanisms. He also studies ambrosia beetles and kudzu bug distribution. His work bridges applied research and practical solutions for Kentucky farmers.