John Ruberson, professor and head of the Department of Entomology at Kansas State University, will join the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Jan. 1, as head of entomology.

“We are pleased to welcome Dr. Ruberson to lead the Department of Entomology. His leadership and professional experience in the field will be of great benefit to our teaching, research and outreach efforts,” said Ron Yoder, senior associate vice chancellor of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. “We would like to thank Gary Brewer for his steadfast leadership of the department during this time of transition.”

Brewer, professor of entomology, will continue to serve as interim department head until Ruberson assumes the role.

“This is a wonderful department and institution, and it is a great honor to be named head of the Department of Entomology at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln,” Ruberson said. “I very much look forward to sharing and fostering the already strong trajectory of this remarkable group of faculty, staff and students. And I’m very excited to be coming home to Nebraska to be a part of an organization that strengthens Nebraskans and the world.”

Ruberson has been at Kansas State since 2012. As department head he manages personnel, curriculum, budgets and facilities for the department. In addition, he serves as departmental graduate program director and teaches one face-to-face course and co-teaches two online courses annually. Prior to Kansas State, from 1994-2012, Ruberson was at the University of Georgia advancing through the ranks of research scientist, assistant professor, associate professor, and professor with appointments in research, teaching and extension. His professional expertise is in biological control, integrated pest management and sustainable crop production.

Ruberson earned a bachelor’s degree in biology teaching and master’s degree in zoology from Brigham Young University. He earned a doctorate in entomology from Cornell University in 1989, where he also served as a graduate research assistant and postdoctoral research associate.

Learn more about entomology at Nebraska.