Robert serves as the national program leader for biobased pest management.  He provides national leadership for NIFA’s research and extension programs in applied ecology, biological control, and invasive species.  He is the program director for the Crop Production and Protection program area for biology of the Small Business Innovation Research Program and co-directs the Foundational Knowledge of Agricultural Production Systems program area priority of the AFRI Foundational Program (Plant Health and Production and Plant Products program area).