Person

Jerome F Grant

Professor | Entomology and Plant Pathology

Specialization: Biological Control of Insects and Weeds

Overview

I am a native Tennessean and was excited to join the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology in December 1985. I came to UTIA from Clemson University, where I had been a Research Assistant Professor for two year gaining valuable teaching, research and advisory experience. My main research areas at Clemson focused on evaluating the potential of introduced natural enemies as biological control tools to manage insect pests of soybean.

At UTIA, I have a 25% Teaching and 75% Research appointment. My primary teaching responsibilities include advising graduate students and teaching several undergraduate and graduate courses, including Integrated Pest Management, Advanced Integrated Pest and Pathogen Management, Field Crop and Vegetable Pests, and A Bug’s Life (a freshman course); I also co-teach Diseases and Insects of Ornamental Plants.

While at UTIA, I have had the opportunity and privilege to mentor graduate students and postdoctoral associates, and serve on more than 40 graduate student committees. I also actively work with undergraduate students who play a vital role in my laboratory, where they assist with various research projects. I also am active in outreach programs with kids and adults of all ages, where I can share the wild, wonderful world of insects with anyone who will listen. I encourage students to become passionate about things that interest them and to pursue and nurture that passion in their lives and in their professions.

Research Focus

As the leader of UTIA's IPM/Biological Control Research Lab, I tackle agricultural, forest, and natural resource challenges. My research centers on invasive species, incorporating biological control in IPM strategies.

Teaching Focus

Teaching has been my vocation and avocation for over 30 years. It requires dedication to scholarly discipline, deep subject knowledge, and a passion for inspiring, motivating, and exciting students.

Research Questions
  • What is population dynamics of invasive species (such as emerald ash borer, hemlock woolly adelgid, kudzu bug, brown marmorated stink bug, etc.)?
  • What environmental (abiotic and biotic) factors contribute to spread of, and damage by, invasive species?
  • Are there ‘weak links’ in life history of invasive species that can be targeted by biological control agents?
  • How can we best target those ‘weak links’ by introducing and evaluating biological control agents from other countries?
  • How can we mitigate/manage invasive species?
  • What role does biological control play in integrated pest management programs against invasive species?
Courses
Below are courses taught during the current or past three academic years. Consult Timetable for the most current listing of courses and instructor(s).
EPP 321 - Introductory Entomology
3 credit hour(s)

Structure, life history, habits, and principles of control of important insect pests of farm, garden, orchard, and household.

Contact Hour Distribution: 2 hours and 1 lab.

EPP 411 - Forest Insects and Diseases
3 credit hour(s)

Insects and pathogens associated with trees and shrubs will be identified and their impacts on host plants evaluated.

Other Instructors: Guerry, Denita Hadziabdic

EPP 523 - Field Crop and Vegetable Entomology
3 credit hour(s)

Identification, biology and management of insects affecting commercial vegetables and home garden crops.

Contact Hour Distribution: 2 hours lecture and 2 hours lab.
Recommended Background: 321 or basic entomology course.

EPP 530 - Integrated Pest Management
3 credit hour(s)

Principles and application of biological, cultural, genetic, behavioral, and chemical methods of control to maintain pest populations below economic threshold levels. Cross-listed: (Same as Plant Sciences 530.)
Recommended Background: 321.

EPP 531 - Special Problems in Entomology, Nematology and Plant Pathology
1 - 3 credit hours

Comprehensive individual study of current problems.

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 9 hours.

Other Instructors: Trigiano, Robert N | Yadav, Lav Kumar | Hajimorad, Reza

EPP 630 - Advanced Integrated Pest and Pathogen Management
3 credit hour(s)

Use of principles and concepts of IPM to focus on real-life, practical applications of IPM programs. Builds on EPP 530/PLS 530: Integrated Pest Management [IPM]), where students are introduced to principles and concepts of pest and plant disease management and investigate its importance as an environmentally sound practice based on economic, ecological and sociological consequences. EPP 630 extends these concepts to focus on real-life, practical applications of IPM programs. Will have a seminar-type format with presentations, guest lecturers, and field trips to both regulatory centers and businesses that have implemented IPM programs.
(DE) Prerequisite(s): 530 or Plant Sciences 530.
Registration Restriction(s): Minimum student level – graduate.

FYS 129 - Special Topics Seminar
1 credit hour(s)

In these seminars, students will engage in active and experiential learning with UT faculty. All special topics are small seminars designed to encourage the exchange of ideas between professors and students. For a current list of course topics consult http://fys.utk.edu/fys129/.
Grading Restriction: Satisfactory/No Credit grading only.
Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 2 hours.

Other Instructors: Bernard, Ernest C

PLSC 530 - Integrated Pest Management
3 credit hour(s)

Principles and application of biological, cultural, genetic, behavioral, and chemical methods of control to maintain pest populations below economic threshold levels. Cross-listed: (See Entomology and Plant Pathology 530.)
Recommended Background: Entomology and Plant Pathology 321 or consent of instructor.

Picture of Jerome F Grant
128 Plant Biotechnology Building
2505 E J Chapman Drive
Knoxville, TN 37996-4560
Education and Training
  • Doctorate, Plant Sciences, General, Clemson University, 1983

Jerome F Grant

Professor | Entomology and Plant Pathology
Picture of Jerome F Grant image
128 Plant Biotechnology Building
2505 E J Chapman Drive
Knoxville, TN 37996-4560
Education and Training
  • Doctorate, Plant Sciences, General, Clemson University, 1983
Overview

I am a native Tennessean and was excited to join the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology in December 1985. I came to UTIA from Clemson University, where I had been a Research Assistant Professor for two year gaining valuable teaching, research and advisory experience. My main research areas at Clemson focused on evaluating the potential of introduced natural enemies as biological control tools to manage insect pests of soybean.

At UTIA, I have a 25% Teaching and 75% Research appointment. My primary teaching responsibilities include advising graduate students and teaching several undergraduate and graduate courses, including Integrated Pest Management, Advanced Integrated Pest and Pathogen Management, Field Crop and Vegetable Pests, and A Bug’s Life (a freshman course); I also co-teach Diseases and Insects of Ornamental Plants.

While at UTIA, I have had the opportunity and privilege to mentor graduate students and postdoctoral associates, and serve on more than 40 graduate student committees. I also actively work with undergraduate students who play a vital role in my laboratory, where they assist with various research projects. I also am active in outreach programs with kids and adults of all ages, where I can share the wild, wonderful world of insects with anyone who will listen. I encourage students to become passionate about things that interest them and to pursue and nurture that passion in their lives and in their professions.

Research Focus

As the leader of UTIA's IPM/Biological Control Research Lab, I tackle agricultural, forest, and natural resource challenges. My research centers on invasive species, incorporating biological control in IPM strategies.

Teaching Focus

Teaching has been my vocation and avocation for over 30 years. It requires dedication to scholarly discipline, deep subject knowledge, and a passion for inspiring, motivating, and exciting students.

Research Questions
  • What is population dynamics of invasive species (such as emerald ash borer, hemlock woolly adelgid, kudzu bug, brown marmorated stink bug, etc.)?
  • What environmental (abiotic and biotic) factors contribute to spread of, and damage by, invasive species?
  • Are there ‘weak links’ in life history of invasive species that can be targeted by biological control agents?
  • How can we best target those ‘weak links’ by introducing and evaluating biological control agents from other countries?
  • How can we mitigate/manage invasive species?
  • What role does biological control play in integrated pest management programs against invasive species?
Courses
Below are courses taught during the current or past three academic years. Consult Timetable for the most current listing of courses and instructor(s).
EPP 321 - Introductory Entomology
3 credit hour(s)

Structure, life history, habits, and principles of control of important insect pests of farm, garden, orchard, and household.

Contact Hour Distribution: 2 hours and 1 lab.

EPP 411 - Forest Insects and Diseases
3 credit hour(s)

Insects and pathogens associated with trees and shrubs will be identified and their impacts on host plants evaluated.

Other Instructors: Guerry, Denita Hadziabdic

EPP 523 - Field Crop and Vegetable Entomology
3 credit hour(s)

Identification, biology and management of insects affecting commercial vegetables and home garden crops.

Contact Hour Distribution: 2 hours lecture and 2 hours lab.
Recommended Background: 321 or basic entomology course.

EPP 530 - Integrated Pest Management
3 credit hour(s)

Principles and application of biological, cultural, genetic, behavioral, and chemical methods of control to maintain pest populations below economic threshold levels. Cross-listed: (Same as Plant Sciences 530.)
Recommended Background: 321.

EPP 531 - Special Problems in Entomology, Nematology and Plant Pathology
1 - 3 credit hours

Comprehensive individual study of current problems.

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 9 hours.

Other Instructors: Trigiano, Robert N | Yadav, Lav Kumar | Hajimorad, Reza

EPP 630 - Advanced Integrated Pest and Pathogen Management
3 credit hour(s)

Use of principles and concepts of IPM to focus on real-life, practical applications of IPM programs. Builds on EPP 530/PLS 530: Integrated Pest Management [IPM]), where students are introduced to principles and concepts of pest and plant disease management and investigate its importance as an environmentally sound practice based on economic, ecological and sociological consequences. EPP 630 extends these concepts to focus on real-life, practical applications of IPM programs. Will have a seminar-type format with presentations, guest lecturers, and field trips to both regulatory centers and businesses that have implemented IPM programs.
(DE) Prerequisite(s): 530 or Plant Sciences 530.
Registration Restriction(s): Minimum student level – graduate.

FYS 129 - Special Topics Seminar
1 credit hour(s)

In these seminars, students will engage in active and experiential learning with UT faculty. All special topics are small seminars designed to encourage the exchange of ideas between professors and students. For a current list of course topics consult http://fys.utk.edu/fys129/.
Grading Restriction: Satisfactory/No Credit grading only.
Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 2 hours.

Other Instructors: Bernard, Ernest C

PLSC 530 - Integrated Pest Management
3 credit hour(s)

Principles and application of biological, cultural, genetic, behavioral, and chemical methods of control to maintain pest populations below economic threshold levels. Cross-listed: (See Entomology and Plant Pathology 530.)
Recommended Background: Entomology and Plant Pathology 321 or consent of instructor.