Urban Center 2143 TAMU College Station, TX 77843 Phone:979-845-5855 Fax:979-845-5926	Center for Urban & Structural Entomology Texas A&M University Department of Entomology

James W. Austin

Associate Research Scientist

Contact Information

Phone: 979-458-0853
FAX: 979-845-5926

Email: j-austin@tamu.edu

Education:

• Ph.D. 2005 University of Arkansas
• M.S.  1999 University of Nebraska
• B.S.  1991 Texas A&M University

Research / Job Desription

Teaching:

I teach the Phillip J. Hammond Termite Training School to Pest Management Professionals (PMPs), focusing on termite identification, biology, and hands on control experience with all aspects of preventative and remedial termite control as prescribed by the state of Texas and the Structural Pest Control Board.

Outreach:

Develop funding sources to support research programs in Urban Entomology, provide continuing education courses (CEUs) to PMPs of Texas through both local and regional workshops, Participate nationally in scientific meetings through the presentation of papers and posters and invited presentations on topics specific to urban entomology.

Research:

My research focus is on molecular diagnostics, genetic variation, and phylogenetics of economically important termite species.  My current research focus has been on Area Wide Control Efforts against the Formosan Subterranean Termite Coptotermes formosanus in Texas.  I also evaluate all forms of remedial control technologies designed for termite control including borates, novel insecticide chemistry, termiticide residue analysis, and the development of termite physical barriers in newly constructed homes.  In addition to my termite research, I also have active research interests in cockroaches and bedbugs.

Awards:

• 2007 - Student and Young Professional Participation Award, ESA Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA.
• 2006 - Snodgrass Memorial Research Award, ESA Annual Meeting, Indianapolis, IN.
• 2005 - John Henry Comstock Award, Southeastern Branch, ESA Annual Meeting, Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
• 2005 - University of Arkansas, Dale Bumpers College of Agriculture,Food, and Life Sciences, Dale Bumpers Distinguished Doctoral Scholar
• 2004 - University of Arkansas, Department of Entomology John S. Heiss Fellowship for outstanding academics and Research
• 2004 - Pi Chi Omega National Student Scholarship in Urban Pest Management
• 2004 - University of Arkansas, Department of Entomology Dwight Isley Award for outstanding PhD student
• 2003 - The Larry Larson Graduate Student Leadership Award for Applied Entomology, ESA Annual Meeting, Cincinnati, OH.
• 2000 - J. William Fulbright Student Fellowship, Ankara, Turkey.
• 1998 - Jeffrey P. LaFage Graduate Student Research Award, ESA-American Phytopathological Society Annual Meeting, Las Vegas, NV.
• 1998 - National Conference on Urban Entomology, Student Scholarship, San Diego, CA.

Selected Publications

Heintschel, B. P., J. W. Austin and R. E. Gold. 2006. Soldier Labral Morphology and Genetic Comparison of Reticulitermes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) from Texas. Sociobiology. 48(1):63-84.

Austin, J. W., A. L. Szalanski, R. Ghayourofr, A. Kence and R. E. Gold. 2006. Phylogeny and Genetic Variation of Reticulitermes (Isoptera: Rhinoternitidae) from the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East. Sociobiology. 47(3):873-890.

Austin, J. W., A. L. Szalanski, M. T. Messenger, J. A. McKern and R. E. Gold. 2006. Genetic Variation and Phylogenetics of Reticulitermes (Isoptera:Rhinotermitidae) from the American Great Plains. Sociobiology. 48(2):427-445.

Austin, J. W., A. L. Szalanski, R. E. Gold, and B. T. Foster. 2004. Genetic Variation and Geographical Distribution of Subterranean Termite Genus Reticulitermes in Texas. Southwestern Entomologist. 29(1):1-11.

Austin, J. W., A. L. Szalanski, R. H. Scheffrahn, and M. T. Messenger. 2005. Genetic Variation of Reticulitermes flavipes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in North America Applying the Mitochomdrial rRNA 16S Gene. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 98(6):980-988.

Tripod, A. D., J. W. Austin, A. L. Szalanski, J. McKern, M. K. Carroll, R. K. Saran and M. T. Messenger. 2006. Phylogeography of Reticulitermes Termites (Isoptera:Rhinotermitidae) in California Infered from Mitochondrial DNA Sequences. Ann. of the Entomol. Soc. Am. 99(4):697-706.

Austin, J. W., and G. J. Glenn. 2005. Formosan termites: an emerging problem for pecan industry. Pecan South Magazine. September:36-37.

Austin, J. W., A. L. Szalanski, R. H. Scheffrahn, M. T. Messenger, J A. McKern, and R. E. Gold. 2006. Genetic Evidence for Two Introductions of the Formosan Subterranean Termite, Coptotermes formosanus (Isoptera:Rhinotermitidae) to the United States. Fla. Entomol. 89(2):183-193

McKern, J. A., A. L. Szalanski and J. W. Austin. 2006. First Record of Reticulitermes flavipes and Reticulitermes hageni in Oregon (Isoptera:Rhinotermitidae). Fla. Entomol. 89(4):541-542.

Szalanski, A. L., J. W. Austin, J. McKern and M.T. Messenger. 2006. Genetic Evidence for a New Subterranean Termite Species (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) from Western United States and Canada. Fla. Entomol. 89(3):299-304.

 

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