Director, IPM Innovation Lab
Virginia Tech
Education: Ph.D., Entomology, Oklahoma State University; M.S., Agricultural Entomology, University of Madras; B.S., Agriculture, University of Madras.
Countries of Work Experience: American Samoa, Chuuk, Fiji, Guam, Guyana, India, Kosrae, Maldives, Marshalls, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Pohnpei, Rota, Saipan, Samoa, Tinian, Vanuatu, Yap
Languages: English, Tamil
Dr. Muniappan is an entomologist who has specialized in biological control and integrated pest management research in the tropics for more than 35 years. His primary work experience has focused on the biological control of invasive weeds such as Chromolaena odorata, Lantana camara, Coccinia grandis, and Mimosa diplotricha. He also specializes in insect pests of tropical fruit and vegetable crops such as mealybugs, scale insects, whiteflies, caterpillars and weevils.
Dr. Muniappan worked as the Associate Director of the Guam Agricultural Experiment Station for 20 years. He has also served as a consultant for the Food and Agricultural Organization, the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, GTZ, the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research and other international organizations.
As the Program Director for the IPM Innovation Lab, Dr. Muniappan works with USAID and project partner institutions in the United States and developing countries in Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America. In addition to his duties with CIRED, he is currently serving as chairman of the global working group on Chromolaena for the International Organization for Biological Control. As a major leader in his field, Dr. Muniappan has published over 200 research and extension articles.
Phone: (540) 231-3516 | Email: rmuni@vt.edu