Deborah G. McCullough Named 2026 ESA Fellow
Print
EmailMSU entomologist Deborah G. McCullough has been named a 2026 Fellow of the Entomological Society of America in recognition of her decades of research, extension and mentorship in forest entomology.
Michigan State University entomologist and professor of forest entomology Deborah G. McCullough has been selected as a 2026 Fellow of the Entomological Society of America (ESA), one of the highest honors in the field, recognizing her outstanding contributions to entomology throughout her career.
McCullough joined MSU in 1992 after earning her doctorate from the University of Minnesota. Her research has focused on a range of invasive and native forest insects as well as pests affecting commercial chestnut and Christmas tree production. Through her Extension work, she has provided guidance to state forestry and regulatory agencies, growers, landowners and communities grappling with invasive species and forest health challenges.
Since 2002, much of McCullough's work has centered on the emerald ash borer, an invasive beetle that has devastated ash trees across North America.
She has been at the forefront of emerald ash borer research since the insect was first detected in Michigan in 2002. McCullough was the first researcher to cut down an infested ash tree to study the insect, helping launch what would become one of the most significant forest insect investigations in North America.
At the time, however, she could have never known the scale of what had been discovered.
“I remember one of the first times I went to southeast Michigan to investigate what was happening to ash trees,” McCullough said. “That evening, I was playing softball and told someone, ‘I think this could be a big deal.’ Unfortunately, it turned out to be a very big deal.”
The insect has since killed hundreds of millions of ash trees across North America and caused billions of dollars in economic losses. As emerald ash borer continues to spread westward and has recently become established in parts of Europe, McCullough's research remains highly influential. She has authored or co-authored more than 160 research and extension publications on emerald ash borer, and her publications have been cited more than 18,000 times, according to Google Scholar.
Beyond her research accomplishments, McCullough said the most rewarding aspect of her career has been mentoring the next generation of scientists. To date, 37 graduate students, including four current students, and four postdoctoral researchers have trained in her lab.
“It’s very rewarding to see former students move into forest health-related careers and keep contributing to the field,” McCullough said. “Watching them thrive and make their own impact has been one of the best parts of my career.”
Research conducted by McCullough and her lab has informed federal, state and municipal policies in the United States, as well as management programs in Canada and Europe. Current projects address beech bark disease, hemlock woolly adelgid, balsam woolly adelgid, native longhorned beetle communities and insect pests affecting chestnut production.
Through her research, Extension outreach and mentorship, McCullough has helped shape the field of forest entomology for more than three decades.
Being named an ESA Fellow marks a significant milestone in her career.
“It’s great to be recognized and a real honor to be nominated and selected,” McCullough said. “I remember being a graduate student at ESA meetings and looking at the Fellows on stage, thinking that was so far off from where I was in my career at the time. There are many entomologists I respect and look up to who have been named Fellows. It’s surreal to now be one of them.”
