Bob Peterson

Dr. Bob Peterson serves as Professor and Department Head of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences at Montana State University's College of Agriculture. His work bridges entomology, risk assessment, and ecosystem management with significant contributions to agricultural science and Yellowstone ecosystem conservation. As an active researcher and educator, he directs departmental strategy while maintaining a robust publication record and securing competitive research funding.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Entomology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln (1995)
• M.S. in Entomology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln (1991)
• B.S. in Entomology, Iowa State University (1987)

Dr. Peterson's research integrates agricultural risk assessment with ecological field studies, focusing on comparative risk methodologies, plant-stress responses, and integrated pest management systems. His Yellowstone-focused work examines insect-ecosystem dynamics including tiger beetle thermoregulation in geothermal areas and army cutworm migrations affecting grizzly bear conservation. Agricultural research addresses wheat stem sawfly management through biological control and hyperspectral monitoring, while his cultural entomology projects explore historical and musical symbolism of insects.

2024 publications reveal three dominant research streams: 1) Yellowstone ecosystem studies examining thermal adaptation and food web dynamics in extreme environments; 2) Agricultural entomology innovations combining remote sensing with biological control for wheat pests; and 3) Cultural entomology investigations into historical symbolism and musical representations. These streams demonstrate exceptional interdisciplinary integration across entomology, ecology, remote sensing, and humanities.

Professional recognition includes:

• Honorary Membership in the Entomological Society of America (2023)
• MSU College of Agriculture Distinguished Faculty Award (2021)
• Multiple university teaching awards for online instruction (2015-2016)
• Nomination for Most Valuable Professor (2014)

Dr. Peterson secures significant extramural funding including NIH support for place-based public health resources and USDA Forest Service grants for biological control optimization. His service includes International Congress of Entomology advisory roles and peer review for Western SARE, American Mosquito Control Association, and Czech Science Foundation. Outreach activities feature guest lectures for the MSU Wildlife Society Club and NSF-sponsored educational initiatives.

As an affiliate of the Montana Nanotechnology Facility and Institute on Ecosystems, he leads collaborative research teams studying insect-ecosystem interactions across Montana's agricultural landscapes and Yellowstone's unique habitats. His laboratory integrates field ecology, remote sensing, and cultural analysis to address complex environmental challenges through transdisciplinary approaches.