Professor & Global Scholar, Department of Entomology, Department of Osteopathic Medical Specialties, Michigan State University
Roles: Advisor and genetics
Dr. Benbow is a Professor and Global Scholar at Michigan State University with a joint appointment in the Department of Department of Entomology and the Department of Osteopathic Medical Specialties. His research program has developed around basic and applied insect and microbial biodiversity and community ecology, with a history of research in West Africa, East Africa, South Africa, South America, and throughout the USA. He is the author or coauthor of over 180 peer-reviewed journal articles, 30 book chapters, four edited books, and has received funding through NIH, NSF, USAID, NIJ, USDA, USGS, and USFS.
Professor Benbow has served on three National Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine appointed committees, and he is a Fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. The Benbow lab asks three general questions: 1) Is insect fitness influenced by the community of microbes living in or on them? 2) What are the ecological interactions of insects with the microbial communities associated with their habitat or food resources? and, 3) How can understanding insect-microbe biodiversity relationships be used to inform natural resources management, human health, and agriculture, including insects as feed and food?
Professor Benbow has spent over 20 years of collaborative research in countries with developing economies spanning the globe from Africa, Polynesia, South America, and Asia, with projects focused on biodiversity, the ecology of disease, forensics, and insects as feed and food. He is passionate about using science, capacity building, and collaborations for improving lives in the most vulnerable regions of the world.