Kelley Tilmon named 2025-26 Distinguished Professor of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Kelley Tilmon, a professor in the Department of Entomology at The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES), has been named a 2025-26 Distinguished Professor of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.

The honorific title, awarded annually on a competitive basis to CFAES full professors, recognizes outstanding contributions and significant impact in teaching, research, outreach and engagement.

"Kelley Tilmon's career reflects the best of CFAES and Ohio State's land-grant mission," said Cathann A. Kress, Ohio State vice president for agricultural administration and CFAES dean. "Her work exemplifies a deep commitment to science-based innovation, farmer-focused solutions and real-world impact."

Tilmon is a nationally recognized leader in field crop entomology, integrated pest management and insect ecology.

Since joining CFAES in 2016, she has developed one of the most visible and impactful Ohio State University Extension programs in the region, directly addressing pest management challenges that affect Ohio's $6 billion soybean and corn industries. OSU Extension is CFAES' outreach arm.

Her applied research has been supported by more than $10.7 million in career award funding, much of it from industry partners and commodity groups who rely on her work to support on-farm decision-making.

Among her most enduring contributions is her 12-year leadership of a major multistate project funded by the North Central Soybean Research Program. The project, which brings together 27 entomologists from 12 universities, helps deliver coordinated research and Extension outputs across the U.S. Corn Belt - advancing strategies for managing soybean aphids, stink bugs, slugs and other yield-limiting pests.

"She is the model of a land-grant scientist: collaborative, practical and deeply connected to those we serve," said Andy Michel, CFAES associate dean and director of the CFAES Wooster campus. "Her ability to respond to emerging issues with speed, science and clarity has earned her trust across the agricultural community."

That responsiveness is a hallmark of Tilmon's work.

In recent years, she led development of new OSU Extension resources in response to unexpected pest outbreaks, including the widespread fall armyworm event that damaged Ohio forage crops in 2022. Her tools - ranging from field guides and scouting videos to laminated pest ID cards and 3D-printed insect models - are widely used by growers, crop consultants and Extension educators.

Tilmon's impact also extends into the national scientific community.

In 2025, she was selected to deliver the Entomological Society of America's Founders' Memorial Lecture, one of the society's highest honors. Her keynote focused on Maud Haviland, a pioneering early 20th-century entomologist and explorer, reflecting Tilmon's commitment not only to advancing science, but also to honoring its often-overlooked history.

At Ohio State, Tilmon teaches graduate-level courses in insect ecology and scientific communication, and she serves as a mentor to graduate students across multiple degree programs. Colleagues say her influence in the classroom is matched by her compassion as a mentor.

"Dr. Tilmon is an extraordinary scientist and mentor who has elevated our department's impact across research, teaching and Extension," said Jamie Strange, chair of the CFAES Department of Entomology. "Her work strengthens the resilience of Ohio agriculture while training the next generation of scientists."

Tilmon earned her doctorate in entomology from Cornell University and served on the faculty at South Dakota State University before joining CFAES. She is based on the CFAES Wooster campus, where she continues to lead research, Extension programming and teaching efforts that advance sustainable crop production and support Ohio's agricultural workforce.

The CFAES Distinguished Professor of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences title was created to recognize faculty who demonstrate exceptional performance and scholarly leadership. Tilmon will be honored during the CFAES awards ceremony in spring 2026.