Shawn Steffan

Shawn Steffan is an Associate Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, jointly appointed with the USDA-ARS. His research focuses on cranberry agroecosystems, integrating basic and applied approaches to improve IPM strategies while analyzing ecosystem functions and trophic structures.

Education includes a Ph.D. in Entomology from Washington State University (2009), M.S. in Entomology from UW-Madison (1997), and B.A. in Environmental Science from UC Berkeley (1993).

Research interests center on cranberry IPM, biological control, and community ecology. Current projects investigate pheromone-based pest disruption, flood-timing strategies, and trophic niche analysis to identify desirable horticultural traits in cranberry populations. Collaborative work emphasizes innovative crop protection bridging public and private sectors.

Recent publications (2019-2025) demonstrate strong focus on sustainable agriculture: 40% examine microbial roles in pollination systems, 30% develop biological control methods for cranberry pests, 20% analyze trophic dynamics, and 10% advance isotopic analysis techniques. Dominant themes include pollinator health, nematode-based biocontrol, and chemical ecology.

Laboratory activities involve national/international collaborations studying cranberry food webs across cultivated and wild populations. The Steffan Lab develops mechanistic models linking ecosystem functions to IPM outcomes.