Skip to Main Content

Team of Purdue scientists to create pesticide usage database for Department of Defense

A team of scientists at Purdue University and the Department of Defense (DoD) are creating a state-of-the-art database to record and store pesticide usage during military overseas contingencies. 

Michael Hill, director of Purdue’s Center for Environmental and Regulatory Information Systems (CERIS), will lead the team of scientists, which includes members from Purdue’s Entomology Department, the Purdue Military Research Institute (PMRI), and the United States Army, Air Force and Navy. 

Funded by a $900K grant from the Armed Forces Pest Management Board, the three-year project will focus on the development of a web-based searchable database, and iOS and Android mobile applications for recording and storing DoD contingency pesticide usage data.  

The current system in place for tracking pesticide usage within the U.S. military is a combination of paper-based forms and electronic spreadsheets, Hill explained. The new automated system for storing, retrieving and analyzing pesticide usage information will save time and minimize reporting and transcription errors. 

Ameya Gondhalekar, associate research professor in entomology and Co-PI on the project, said the university’s partnership with the DoD on this grant will open the opportunity for pursuing research on pesticide use patterns-- an excellent research topic for service members interested in pursuing graduate studies in entomology at Purdue or other institutions. 

Leon Robert, project consultant, professor of engineering practice and retired U.S. Army Brigadier General, said the new system to be developed and secured by Purdue will enable senior pest management consultants, public health centers, DoD Installation Pest Management coordinators and the Armed Forces Pest Management Board staff to review pesticide applications to ensure compliance, identify pesticide resistance risks, identify geographic areas of high insect vector threats and consolidate active ingredient information. The app’s features will support the DoD’s “Measures of Merit,” a system the DoD uses to effectively portray actual progress in achieving environmental compliance and pollution prevention goals and objectives. 

The project will involve faculty, staff and students working on each phase of the database, allowing for hands-on experience to a high-profile project. 

Featured Stories

A medal given to Virginia Meredith by the state of Mississippi in 1895.
How America’s ‘Queen of Agriculture’ shaped Purdue University

At a time when most women didn’t own land, and none had the right to vote, Virginia...

Read More
Janna Beckerman diagnosing a problem with a tree
Purdue Extension specialist brings updated management techniques to fields and orchards

As a specialist in diagnosing and managing diseases of horticultural crops, Janna Beckerman is...

Read More
Laura Bowling stands in a creek with students while teaching.
Agronomy professor Laura Bowling presented with 2023 Murphy Award

Just as her agronomy class was beginning on Monday morning, NRES director and Agronomy professor...

Read More
Dr. Laura Bowling in the field with students
Charles B. Murphy Award presented to Dr. Laura Bowling

Charles B. Murphy Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award presented to Dr. Laura Bowling, the...

Read More
Nathan Denny stands in front of white board.
Behind the Research: Nathan Denny

Many people are involved in the remarkable range of programs, services and facilities that...

Read More
A maple syrup farmer boils down the tappings from a maple tree.
For the second year, Acer grant boosts Indiana maple syrup industry

Once the biggest producer of maple syrup in the United States, Indiana is working to remind...

Read More
To Top