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Entomology and Nematology Department

Entomology and Nematology Department

Dr. Michael Scharf

Sapp Endowed Professor, Urban Entomology

My research interests relate to toxicology and molecular physiology of urban pest insects, including cockroaches, termites, ants, bed bugs and stored products pests, as well as landscape pests and ecological indicator species. Over my career I have worked additionally on a wider range of insects from agricultural, medical and natural systems. My goals in research are to understand basic biochemical and physiological mechanisms in insects that (i) confer selective advantages and drive evolutionary divergence, (ii) facilitate pest susceptibility or resistance to insecticides, and/or (iii) have practical applications in biotechnology or pest management. My research works across levels of biological organization (i.e., organismal, organ, cellular, sub-cellular; DNA, RNA, protein) and is integrative in that it simultaneously targets different levels of biological organization. This multi-faceted approach has enabled an understanding of the impacts of sub-organismal mechanisms on organismal biology, the development of novel biotechnology and the elucidation of findings with direct impacts on pest management.

Dr. Mike Scharf Professor

Contact

3101 Steinmetz Hall
1881 Natural Area Dr.
Gainesville, FL 32611
(352) 273-3953
mescharf@ufl.edu

  • Teaching
    • ENY3222  Biology and Identification of Urban Pests (Fall semesters)
    • ENY3225  Principles of Urban Pest Management (Spring semesters)
  • Education

    • Post-Doctoral: Cornell University-NYSAES, Molecular Neurotoxicology 2000-2001
    • Post-Doctoral: University of Nebraska, Biochemical Toxicology 1997-2000
    • Ph.D.: Purdue University, Insect Toxicology & Urban Entomology 1997
    • Visiting Scholar: Cardiff University, Insect Molecular Biology 1995
    • M.S.: Purdue University, Urban Entomology 1993
    • B.S.: Purdue University, Entomology  1991
  • Recent Services and Honors
    • Professor and O.W. Rollins / Orkin Chair in Molecular Physiology & Urban Entomology, Dept. of Entomology, Purdue University, 2010-2021
    • Assistant and Associate Professor, Insect Molecular Toxicology, Entomology & Nematology Dept., University of Florida-Gainesville, 2007-2010
    • Assistant Research Scientist, Insect Toxicology, Entomology & Nematology Dept., University of Florida-Gainesville, 2004-2007
  • Publications

    https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=PezfVLgAAAAJ&hl=en