Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The Ohio State University received a $653,951 CAREER (Careers) grant from the National Science Foundation's Division of Environmental Biology (Biological Sciences program, CFDA 47.074) effective August 1, 2026, through July 31, 2031. The award funds research to examine how seasonality and arrival timing of bark and wood-boring insects influence their ability to establish invasive populations in new geographic regions. The project addresses a critical biosecurity concern, as these insects—frequently transported via international trade in wood packaging materials—pose substantial threats to forest ecosystems and agricultural productivity. Specifically, the research will determine the role seasonality plays in insect arrival patterns, evaluate how timing affects establishment success, and develop enhanced biosecurity measures to protect agricultural, urban, and rural forests.

The project will generate scientific knowledge on invasion dynamics while delivering tangible broader impacts through public education materials on invasive species awareness, expanded participation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education via a high school internship program, and new curriculum development for an online plant health management program. These outputs collectively advance understanding of intercontinental insect dispersal mechanisms while strengthening the nation's capacity to mitigate biological invasion risks through improved biosecurity protocols and workforce development initiatives.