David W. Williams
Research Entomologist

610.557.4073
610.557.4095 (fax)
dwwilliams@fs.fed.us (e-mail)

EDUCATION:
B.A., Indiana University, 1970. Anthropology
M.S., North Carolina State University, 1977. Entomology
Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley, 1981. Entomology

PERSONAL BIOGRAPHY:
I earned my doctorate in entomology at the University of California, Berkeley in 1981. My first postdoctoral position was with Texas A&M University, and it took me to Yucatan for a year to study boll weevil in its native habitats. On returning to California, I was employed as a systems analyst and modeler with the University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Project from 1982 to 1987. After migrating to the east coast in 1987, I worked as a research entomologist in biological control with the USDA-ARS Beneficial Insects Laboratory in Newark, Delaware, from 1988 to 1992. I have been a research entomologist with the Global Change Program since the summer of 1992.

CURRENT RESEARCH:
My current research investigates various potential effects of climate change on forest insect outbreaks. Part of this work involves analyzing the effects of weather on the population dynamics of forest pests using historical time series of abundance and maps of damage. Specifically, I have looked at factors driving the spatial synchrony of outbreaks by gypsy moth and spruce budworm. In another project, I am investigating the effects of climate change on geographical range shifts of outbreaks of forest defoliators and bark beetles using GIS and multivariate statistical models. I am also interested in issues of the detection of density dependence in insect populations.

COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH INTERESTS:
I am interested in investigating the dynamics of pest populations in space and time using simple ecological models. Another primary interest involves exploring the role of weather on insect population dynamics. I am also interested in modeling the effects of increasing carbon dioxide and climate change on ecological relationships between herbivorous insects and their host plants and natural enemies.

SUBJECT AREA INDEX:
Computer modeling, Ecology, GIS, Global change, Host-pest interactions, Insects, Pest management, Biological Control, Invasive species.