Roger A. LeBrun
Degrees
| Years | Institution | Degree (Major) |
| 1968 | Providence College | A.B. (Pre-Med) |
| 1973 | Cornell University | M.Sc.(Medical Entomology) |
| 1977 | Cornell University | Ph.D. (Insect Pathology) |
Employment (last 20 years)
| Years | Academic Unit | Appointment |
| 1984-85 | U.S.D.A. Insect Pathology Research Unit European Parasites Laboratory American Embassy Paris, France | Director |
| 1984-85 | Pasteur Institute Paris, France | Faculty Intern |
| 1991-97 | Pasteur Institute Paris, France | United States Research Liaison |
| 1993-present | Department of Plant Sciences University of Rhode Island | Professor of Entomology |
| 1998-2003 | Laboratory for Invertebrate Pathology College of the Environment and Life Sciences University of Rhode Island | Director |
| 1999-present | College of the Environment and Life Sciences University of Rhode Island | Coordinator of Graduate Programs |
| 2001-present | Department of Plant Sciences University of Rhode Island | Director of Graduate Programs |
| 2002-present | MESM-Conservation Biology University of Rhode Island | Director of Graduate Programs |
| 2003-present | Coastal Institute University of Rhode Island | Senior Fellow |
| 2005-2007 | Honors Program University of Rhode Island | Honors Professor of Life Sciences |
| 2005-2007 (projected) | Pasteur Institute Lecturer Hanoi, Vietnam | Fulbright Senior Scholar |
Awards and Honors
Teaching
| Year | Award | Awarding Agency |
| 2000 | University Teacher of the Year | University of Rhode Island |
| 2000 | Distinguished Achievement Award in Teaching | Entomological Society of America Eastern Branch |
| 2000 | Citation for University Teaching Excellence | Office of the Lt. Governor of Rhode Island |
| 2001 | Carnegie Professor of the Year Rhode Island | Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching |
| 2002 | Citation and Resolution (02-S 2834) for National Teaching Excellence | Rhode Island Senate |
| 2002 | Citation for National Teaching Excellence | Office of the Secretary of State of Rhode Island |
Research
| Year | Award | Awarding Agency |
| 1999 | Citation for Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus Research Excellence | Office of the Governor of Rhode Island |
| 2001 | Citation for West Nile Virus Research Excellence | Office of the Governor of Rhode Island |
| 2001 | Outstanding Presentation of Intellectual Property | Intellectual Property, Office of Research, University of Rhode Island |
University of Rhode Island Teaching Assignments
Overview of Principal Contribution to URI as a Teacher
As an educator, my fundamental contribution to graduate and undergraduate education is found in my worth as a human being. Large classes with highly diverse students from a broad spectrum of backgrounds and cultures are, for me, a global community in microcosm. They are my opportunity to teach and be taught on a universal scale. This foundation generates the will and energy to achieve my goal of one-on-one interaction. No matter the class size, only through personal interaction with each individual can I facilitate a student’s struggle for self-knowledge and guide that individual to serve as a contributing member of a community. Providing this key contribution inspires self-confidence in students expands their potential and challenges them to reach beyond normal expectations. Although this requires enormous amounts of time and vigor, the reward is a relationship from which students know that someone within the collective faculty genuinely cares about them as thinking, feeling, human beings.
As an extension to this mentoring role, my course topics are tailored to cultivate a relationship between the student and his/her heritage. Emerging diseases and the plight of nations (ex. Malaria in Kenya or West Nile Virus in New York City) or global starvation and health effects from pesticide misuse, are a natural venue for introducing a sense of compassion and the desire to initiate change. For undergraduate courses, the best senior students are offered paid or volunteer positions to participate actively in a scientific environment. For students who contribute to the projects, applying innovative, potential solutions to world problems heightens their creative skills. The key contribution to this aspect is one-on-one participation in prominent research programs that focus on solving problems in public health entomology and infectious disease control.
Lastly, I make students consciously aware of the interrelationships between science, society and government. This provokes insights for change, draws them from apathy and fosters motivation and optimism. Students are challenged and become ANIMATED, while their own vision of the true purpose for education emerges. With this as a catalyst, the entire class takes on a dynamism from collective, overlapping energies.
My personal teaching experience is constantly enriched by graduate and undergraduate students and I continue to learn how the educational process evolves by observing students actively engaged in applying their hard-earned knowledge toward improving the quality of their lives and the lives of others. This above all else deepens my faith in the value of our teaching.
Courses
Courses Taught, by semester
Undergraduate & Graduate Instruction (Course Assignments: all sole instructor with no extra compensation)
| Semester | Course/Title (Credits, contact Hrs) | Enrollment |
| Fall, 1999 | ENT 385 (BIO 381) Introductory Entomology (3) | 27 |
| Fall, 1999 | ENT 385 (BIO 382) Introductory Entomology Laboratory (1) | 11 |
| Spring, 1999 | BIO 286 Humans, Insects and Disease (3) | 65 |
| Spring, 1999 | ENT 571 (MIC 571) Insect Microbiology (3) | 7 |
| Fall, 2000 | ENT 385 (BIO 381) Introductory Entomology (3) | 86 |
| Fall, 2000 | ENT 385 (BIO 382) Introductory Entomology Laboratory (1) | 20 |
| Spring, 2000 | BIO 286 Humans, Insects and Disease (3) | 66 |
| Fall, 2001 | ENT 385 (BIO 381) Introductory Entomology (3) | 52 |
| Fall, 2001 | ENT 386 (BIO 382) Introductory Entomology Laboratory (1) | 20 |
| Spring, 2001 | ENT 571 (MIC 571) Insect Microbiology (3) | 5 |
| Fall, 2002 | ENT 385 (BIO 381) Introductory Entomology (3) | 53 |
| Fall, 2002 | ENT 386 (BIO 382) Introductory Entomology Laboratory (1) | 20 |
| Spring, 2002 | BIO 286 Humans, Insects and Disease (3) | 106 |
| Fall, 2003 | ENT 385 (BIO 381) Introductory Entomology (3) | 45 |
| Fall, 2003 | ENT 386 (BIO 382) Introductory Entomology Laboratory (1) | 20 |
| Spring, 2004 | BIO 286 Humans, Insects & Disease | 92 |
Course Curriculum Development, Revisions and other Contributions
In the fall, 1997, I completely revised the lectures and audio-visual for (BIO 286) Humans Insects and Disease, previously offered through Biological Sciences faculty. This popular course directs our students into entomology and vector borne disease courses early in their undergraduate career. Since 1997, the enrollment has doubled and it currently has the third highest enrollment in Biological Sciences.
Curriculum Revision Grant (2001). Revising the Plant Sciences Curriculum with Emphasis on Freshman Learning Experiences and Capstone Courses. $5,000. CELS-URI (Maynard, Englander, Casagrade and LeBrun)
Graduate Students
| Student | Degree | Date Completed |
| Major Professor | ||
| Sean Healy | M.S. | 1999 |
| Klaus Heyer | M.S. | 1999 |
| Mari Butler | Ph.D. | 2004 |
| Marina Yasvoina | M.S. | 2004 |
| Chan Suom | M.S. | 2006 |
| Committee Member | ||
| Christy Zolnik | M.S. | 2005 |
| Kristen Bartlett | M.S. | 1999 |
| Geoff Balme | M.S. | 2000 |
| Michael DeSanto | M.S. | 2000 |
| John Hamill | M.S. | 2000 |
| Becky Clarke | M.S. | 2001 |
| Jaree Johnson | M.S. | 2002 |
| Christine Lussier | M.S. | 2003 |
| Emily Brunkhurst | M.S. | 2004 |
| Marion Gold | Ph.D. | 2003 |
Independent Studies
I direct 1-2 special undergraduate projects per semester linked with URI’s Coastal Fellows Program. Currently, I have two students, one working on a monograph of the Hematophagous Arthropods of RI (Adam Butler), and another working on the effects of methoprene on the ecology of catchment basins (Chouan Suom). In addition, I serve as an advisor for the students in the following yearly programs:
Coastal Fellows Students
- Adam Butler—2001
- Marina Yasvoina—2001
- Katie Allen—2002
- Dorothy Wilkes—2002
- Chouan Suom—2003
- Kaylan Stinson—2003
- Ryan Abney—2004
Metcalf Institute Fellow
- Suzannah Gonzales—2001
- Caroly Ayon Lee—2004
- Scott Lowe—2004
RISD Interns
- Jessica Rosner—2001
- Thomas Colantino—2003
Student Organizations - Mentor
- GEMS-NET
- Sigma Xi
- Golden Key Honor Society
- URI STEP Program Lecturer
- NSF Graduate Student Teaching Fellowship
Select Invited Presentations
In addition to my classes, every semester I am a guest lecturer for other courses and functions on campus and at other universities.
- “The Value of Teaching.” URI Convocation speech given to the University community with Coretta Scott King. (2,500 est. in attendance). September 12, 2000.
- “What I’ve Learned from the Freshman Class.” Phi Eta Sigma Presentation given to the top URI Freshmen and their families (2,000 in attendance). Feb. 25, 2001
- “Microcosmos.” URI Roundtable presentation to the University of Rhode Island professors and administrators emeriti. April 22, 2001
- “Science at URI.” Highlight lecture for the URI STEP program to attract inner city youth to University Programs. November 11, 2001
- “Insects at War: From Monarch to Bombardiers. Roger Williams Park Zoo Conservation Biology Series Invited Lecture. Jan 31, 2002.
- “Public Health Entomology”. 11th Annual Granville Environmental Series Guest Speaker. St. George’s School. Newport RI. April 12, 2002.
- “Qualitative Assessment”, Workshop for URI faculty to facilitate expanded General Education course requirements. Office of the Provost. 2004
Advising assignments and activity
Each year, I have counseled approximately 20 to 30 undergraduate students interested in entomology and plant sciences. In addition, I have found and coordinated employment for the top 10 students in ENT 385 Introductory Entomology into summer jobs with URI faculty. I also served as “recruiter” for the entomology group and have directed many of our current graduate students to pursue entomology as a career (ex. Christine Lussier, Jen Dacey, Marina Yasvoina and Christy Zolnik).
As the Graduate Director for the Department, for the MESM Conservation Biology Program and as Graduate Coordinator for the college, I have been deeply involved in advising graduate students both on and off the URI campus. I am actively sought out on a wide variety of matters ranging from career decisions or faculty/student conflict to simply serving as a thesis defense chair.
As an advisor to Post-docs and research assistant professors, my colleagues and I have spent the past 6 years mentoring Dr. Elyes Zhioua. We have guided him to the completion of publications and promoted his activities for his current permanent position as Assistant Professor of Medical Entomology at the Pasteur Institute in Tunis.
Research, Artistic, Creative, and Other Scholarly Activity (35%-40%)
Description of Scholarly Activity
My interest during the past five years has been the long term management of arthropods that vector human and animal disease organisms. The work is especially oriented toward invertebrate pathogens that might be used to achieve this goal. To this end, the Laboratory for Invertebrate Pathology was established to concentrate expertise in pathobiology, ecology and microbiology of invertebrates. During the past five years, research has focused on pathogens of Ixodes scapularis, the primary vector of Lyme disease in the Northeastern U.S. Fungi pathogenic to the tick have been isolated from the field and bioassayed in the laboratory. Commercial microbial preparations have also been used with novel, patented delivery systems to manage vectors on their hosts.
The Laboratory has established an international reputation as a center for tick pathology. Collaborators from Italy, France and Israel as well as colleagues from laboratories in the US have praised the high caliber research and unique expertise of the group as an important international resource.
Publications, Papers Presented and Invited Lectures
Refereed Publications
Zhioua, E. H.S. Ginsberg, Richard A. Humber and R.A LeBrun. 1999. Preliminary survey for entomopathogenic fungi associated with Ixodes scapularis (Acari:Ixodidae) in southern New York and New England, USA. J. of Med. Entomol. 36(5): 635-637.
Zhioua, E., K. Heyer, M. Browning, H.S. Ginsberg and R.A LeBrun. 1999. Pathogenicity of Bacillus thuringiensis Variety kurstaki to Ixodes scapularis (Acari:Ixodidae). J. of Med. Entomol. 36(6): 900-902.
Bartlett, K., S.A. Alm, R.A. LeBrun and H.S. Ginsberg. 2002. The Horse and Deer Flies (Diptera: Tabanidae) of Rhode Island. Annals of the Ent. Soc. Of Amer. 95 (5) 547-551.
Ginsberg, H.S., R. A. LeBrun, E. Zhioua and K. Heyer. 2002. Potential non-target effects of Metarhizium anisopliae used for biological control of ticks. Environmental Entomology 31 (6): 1191-1196.
Patents
A self-activated acaricide applicator. 1999. U.S. Patent Pending. U.S. Patent Office Serial No. 09/063,090.
A method for applying Bacillus thuringiensis as a bioacaricide. 2001. U.S. Patent Pending.
The Rhode Island Canopy Trap. 2001. U.S. Patent Pending. U.S. Patent Office Serial Number 09/840,056
Published Reports
Ginsberg, H.S., R.A. LeBrun, K. Heyer, & E. Zhioua. 2001. Effects on nontarget arthropods of entomopathogenic fungi used for biological control of ticks. Final Report, Pesticide Relief Fund, Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. 23 pp.
Published Proceedings
Zhioua, E., H. S. Ginsberg and R. LeBrun. 1999. Biological control of ticks. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of America. Las Vegas, NV.
Zhioua, E., K. Heyer, H. Ginsberg and R.A. LeBrun. 1999. Microbial Control of Ticks. IV Seminario Internacional de Parasitologia Animal, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
Posters Presented at Professional Meetings
Butler, M., A. Gettman, R. LeBrun, and H. Ginsberg. 2004. The fate and efficacy of methoprene in catch basin environments. American Mosquito Control Association Annual Meeting, Savannah, GA.
Papers presented at professional meetings and conferences
Zhioua, E., Heyer, K. H. Ginsberg and R.A. LeBrun. 1999. Microbial Control of Ixodes scapularis. Entomological Society of America, Annual Meeting. Atlanta, GA.
Zhioua, E., H. Ginsberg, and R.A. LeBrun. 1999. Biological Control of Lyme disease Ticks. American Lyme Disease Foundation, Annual Meeting. New York, NY.
Butler, M., A. Gettman, R. LeBrun, H. Ginsberg. 2002. Movement and efficacy of methoprene used for West Nile Virus mosquito management in sewer catch basins. RI Natural History Survey. Ecological Research in Rhode Island. Warwick, RI.
Butler, M.A., A. Gettman, R. LeBrun, H. Ginsberg. 2002. Catch basin ecosystems: effects of methoprene. 48th Annual meeting. Northeast Mosquito Control Assoc. Mystic, CT.
Butler, M.A., A. Gettman, R. LeBrun, H. Ginsberg and C. Suom. 2003. Effects of methoprene on catch basin communities. 49th Annual Meeting. Northeast Mosquito Control Assoc. Hyannis, MA.
Suom C., M. Butler, R. LeBrun, H. Ginsberg, and Alan Gettman. 2004. The Implications of Methoprene in Culex spp. and Ochlerotatus japonicus Mosquito Abatement. RI Natural History Survey. Ecological Research in RI. Warwick, RI.
Artistic Activity
Eye of the Storm: a combat medic’s refuge at a Buddhist orphanage in Vietnam. An essay of 12 photos taken during MedCap public health missions in 1970. A juried gallery exhibit at Dryden Gallery, Providence RI.
Research Program Visibility/Press Releases
Results from publications, presentations and patents have been released to news wire services and have appeared in a wide variety of media including the following: CNN, RI radio and television, and newspapers such as the New London Day, Norwich Bulletin, Newport Daily News, Newbury MA Daily News, Pawtucket Times, Portland ME Press Herald, Portsmouth NH Herald, Bennington VT Banner, Danbury CT News-Times, URI AAUP Bulletin, Westerly Sun, Block Island Times.
The Discovery Channel highlighted my research with Dr. Howard Ginsberg on the mosquitoes that vector West Nile virus in the Northeastern U.S. National Parks. It was presented nationwide to an estimated 15 million viewers.
Other media that highlighted the work were:
- WJAR-TV SPECIAL
- WPRO-TV
- WRNI-Radio
- Providence Journal
- Richmond Times (Richmond, VA)
- Patuxent News
- Providence Business News
- Narragansett Times
- The Standard-Independent
Grants
Development of a self-activated acaricide applicator. 1998. University of Rhode Island Foundation. (with E. Zhioua, D. Butler and A. Zaki). $10,230.
Biological control of ticks. 1998. Town of Portsmouth, RI. (with E. Zhioua) $6,230.
Modified baited delivery system for the fungal biocontrol of the Black Carpenter Ant, Campanotus pennsylvanicus (DeGreer)[Hymenoptera: Formicidae]. 1998. RI Dept. of Environmental Management. $15,525.
Biological control of Ixodes scapularis. 1998. Centers for Disease Control. (approved but not funded) (with E. Zhioua and H. Ginsberg). $242,044.
Development of a Self-Activated Deer Applicator for the delivery of entomopathogenic fungi. 1999. U.R.I. Foundation. (with E. Zhioua and D. Butler) $19,860.
Development of a Powder Mixer for Self-Applicator Technology. 1999. URI Foundation. (with E. Zhioua and D. Butler) $16,900.
Private Donors. 1999. URI Foundation. $750.
Evaluation of Ixodes scapularis hemocytes for tick vaccine development. 1999. URI Research Council. (with U. Whitworth and E. Zhioua) $7,491.
Biological Control of Amblyomma americanum with entomopathogenic fungi using remote applicators. 1999. RI Department of Environmental Management. (with E. Zhioua) $19,766.
Determine the Distribution of mosquito species associated with West Nile Encephalitis and survey potential breeding habitats in national Parks in the Northeastern, US and National Capital Regions. 2001. National Park Service. (PI with H. Ginsberg) $110,000.
Effects on coastal Ecosystems of Methoprene and Microbial Larvicides used for the control of mosquitoes and West Nile virus. 2001. Hatch 666. $45,000.
Entomopathogenic Nematodes as biological control agents of ticks. 2003. USDA-BARD (PI with H. Ginsberg, M. Samish, and I. Glazer). Approved but not funded. $300,000
Operating Budget for the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center Coastal Field Station at the University of Rhode Island. 2003. U. S. Geological Survey (PI with P. August). $83,000.
Operating Budget for the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center Coastal Field Station at the University of Rhode Island. 2003. US Geological Survey. $12,000 (with Peter August).
Efficient surveillance, natural transmission dynamics, and targeted management of West Nile Virus in mosquitoes and birds. 2004. U.S. National Park Service/USGS-NRPP Program for 2005-2008. (PI with H.S Ginsberg and P. Buckley). $291,482.
Works in Progress
Bartlett, K., S. Alm, R. LeBrun and H. Ginsberg 2004. The Use of RAPD’s to Distinguish Cryptic Species of Tabanus nigrovittatus Complex. J. of Med. Entomol. Manuscript.
LeBrun, R.A., K.E. Hyland, & H.S. Ginsberg. 2004. The blood-feeding arthropods of Rhode Island. The Flora and Fauna of Rhode Island: A Systematic Survey. Rhode Island Natural History Survey and the RI Medical Association. in prep.
Lussier, C., H. Ginsberg, R. LeBrun and M. Yasvoina. 2004. Survey of mosquito species and West Nile Virus activity in northeaster national parks. in prep.
Lussier, C., H. Ginsberg, R. LeBrun and M. Yasvoina. 2004. Mosquito trapping methods and West Nile Virus surveillance. in prep.
Reviewer
Grant Programs
- National Science Foundation (NSF) – Ecology and Infectious Disease
- USDA National Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program (NRI-CGP)
Biology and Management of Pests and Beneficial Organisms Program Group
Journals
- Biocontrol
- Journal of Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Journal of Parasitology
Invited Research and Outreach Presentations
“Epidemiology and epizootiology of West Nile virus in the Northeastern U.S.” (with D. Markowski and H. Ginsberg) 2000. Emerging Arthropod Borne Diseases Symposium. Entomological Society of America, Eastern Branch. Harrisburg, PA.
“Potential non-target effects of Metarhizium anisopliae used for biological control of ticks.” (with H. Ginsberg and E. Zhioua) 2001. Conference on Biological Control of Ticks. Ecological Institute of America. Millbrook, NY.
“An Overview of West Nile Virus Activity in Rhode Island.” Issues in Biology, Guest Speaker Series. 2001. Department of Biological Sciences, Providence College. Providence, R.I.
“Biology and Epidemiology of West Nile Virus.” 2001. Special Forum on Mosquitoes and West Nile virus in Rhode Island. The Coastal Institute, URI, Cooperative Ecosystems Study Unit, URI, and the RI Natural History Survey.
“Vector Borne Disease Management in the New England-Past, Present & Future.” 2001. NE Conference on Infectious Diseases for Health Practitioners. Manchester, MA.
“West Nile virus Research at the University of Rhode Island.” 2001. Forum on West Nile virus. Town meeting sponsored by Congressman Langevin.
“Entomopathogenic fungi of ticks” Parco regionale boschi di carrega. 2001. Parma, Italy. (U.S. invited delegate) (Declined)
“Bioterrorism and vector borne disease”. 2002. Conference on bioterrorism. Ministry of Health, Education and Welfare. Tokyo, Japan. (U.S. invited delegate) (Declined).
“Russian-US Collaborative Workshop for Vector-Borne Disease Research”. Novosibirsk, Siberia June 1-4, 2002. (NSF invited delegate) (Declined).
“Bugs! In 3-D”. 2003. Feinstein-Imax Theatre, Providence, RI. Presented to 400 VIP invited guests.
Invited Conference Workshop Leader
“Vector Identification Workshop”. 2003. American Society of Microbiology, 38th Annual Meeting “Challenges of the Future-Measured Response to Bioterrorism”
Cooperative Extension (8%-10%)
Master Gardeners
In addition to the above, I lecture yearly for the URI Master Gardener Program. Topics include: Entomology for Gardeners, Gardening for Butterflies, Medically Important Insects in the Landscape.
Articles
I contribute to 5-10 articles yearly in the popular press such as the Providence Journal, The Boston Globe, Narragansett Times, Westerly Sun, Pawtuxet Valley Daily Times.
An Introduction to Teaching Programs using Insects for Bug Basics: Insect Investigations for the Classroom and Field. URI- CE
Insect and tick identification services
I identify a hundred or so insects and ticks and talk to homeowners and individuals about a multitude of insect problems (Lyme disease, EE, entomophobia, household pests, carpenter ants, bee and wasp stings, pollinators, etc.).
Committees
- Member, RI DEM Eastern Equine Encephalitis Task Force
- Member, RI-DEM West Nile virus Task Force
- Consultant (1998), GEMS-NET Program
University and Community Service
Professional Society Memberships and Offices Held
University Service
Teaching
- University Teaching Excellence Award Committee, Chair
- University Teaching Excellence Award Committee, Co-chair
- Educator-W. Alton Jones Environmental Educations Center
- Graduate Affairs Committee-member
- Barry Goldwater Scholarship Committee
- UYA Student Internship Program Faculty Advisor
Research
- Libraries, Computers and the Media Committee, member
- Intellectual Property Committee, member
- Computer Advisory Committee
Administration
- University Faculty Senator
- Dean of Graduate School Search Committee, member
- University Affirmative Action Committee, member
- University Legislative Relations Committee, member
College Committees & Service
- AES Project Review Committee
- Disabilities Service Faculty Mentor
- College Seminar Series
- Educational Policy Committee
- Audio-Visual and Recruitment Committee
- Website Committee
- Non-thesis Master’s (MESM) Graduate Committee
Departmental Committees
- Entomology Curriculum Committee
- PLS Internship Committee
- PLS Enrollment Committee
- PLS Graduate Student Committee
The Extramural Community
State Committees
- Governor’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Lyme Disease
- DOH/DEM West Nile Virus Advisory Committee
Community Activities
- Fund drives (last 6 months)
- Dana Farber Cancer Institute
- Urban League of Rhode Island
- Hope Center for Cancer Support
- Real Food Cooperative
- Doctors Without Borders
Professional Society Memberships and Activities
- Entomological Society of America
- Society for Invertebrate Pathology
- Technical Advisory Service for Attorneys (TASA)