Speakers: Dana Nayduch, PhD

Dana Nayduch, PhD

Research Leader, Arthropod-Borne Animal Diseases Research Unit
United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS)

Adjunct faculty, Department of Entomology, Kansas State University

Dr. Dana Nayduch is the Research Leader of the Arthropod-Borne Animal Diseases Research Unit at the USDA-ARS Center for Grain and Animal Health Research in Manhattan, KS. She received her B.S. in Animal Science from Rutgers University, Ph.D. in Zoology from Clemson University, and postdoctoral fellowship at Yale University. She joined USDA in August 2011, where she was a Research Molecular Biologist for 9 years before becoming Research Leader in October 2020. Previously she was an Associate Professor of Biology at Georgia Southern University (2004-2011). Dr. Nayduch’s research program focuses on arthropod pests and vector borne diseases impacting livestock, wildlife and humans, with a strong one health focus. She has over 50 peer reviewed publications and book chapters, and has received societal awards, invitations and press recognition for her expertise in the field. She has had several leadership roles such as the Medical, Urban and Veterinary Entomology section president for the Entomological Society of America and Plains Area representative for ARS’s Research Leader Advisory Council. In her 25+ year career, Dr. Nayduch has mentored over ~70 students and postdoctoral fellows both at GSU and currently at Kansas State University. As an RL, she leads a unit of 8 scientists, 2 support scientists, 7 technicians and other support staff and student workers.