Robert Coulson

Robert Coulson is a Professor in the Department of Entomology at Texas A&M University, serving as Director of the Knowledge Engineering Laboratory (KEL). He holds academic appointments within the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences and is affiliated with Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension. His expertise spans Forest Entomology, Insect Ecology, Landscape Ecology, and Landscape-use Management.

Education:

• B.S. Biology, Furman University
• M.S. Entomology, University of Georgia
• Ph.D. Entomology, University of Georgia
• Post-Doctorate, Institute of Ecology, University of Georgia

Research Focus: Dr. Coulson’s transdisciplinary research addresses ecological and landscape-scale challenges, including insect impacts on forests, prairies, and urban environments. He co-founded the Knowledge Engineering Laboratory to integrate computer applications with ecological science, focusing on decision support systems for environmental management. Key areas include monarch butterfly conservation, roadkill modeling, and invasive species management (e.g., hemlock woolly adelgid).

Awards & Recognition:

• Former Student Association Faculty Achievement Award for Research
• Award of Merit from Texas Forestry Association
• A. D. Hopkins Award (Southern Forest Insect Work Conference)
• J. E. Bussart Award and Fellow of Entomological Society of America

Teaching & Publications: Teaches undergraduate forest protection and graduate landscape ecology courses. Authored textbooks Forest Entomology (1984) and Basic Landscape Ecology (2010). Secured $10.5M in research funding, with a Google Scholar h-index of 42 and 133 citations.

Labs & Collaborations: Directs the Knowledge Engineering Laboratory (KEL), which develops computational tools for environmental problem-solving. Collaborates on projects involving GIS, ecological modeling, and conservation planning.