Heather J. McAuslane is a Professor in the Entomology and Nematology Department and Associate Dean for Graduate Programs in the UF/IFAS College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the University of Florida. Within Agricultural and Veterinary Science, she specializes in plant-insect interactions and chemical ecology. She earned her Ph.D. from Texas A&M University and began her career at the University of Florida in 1990, progressing to full professor. Dr. McAuslane has held key administrative roles, including Interim Department Chair for Entomology and Nematology, Graduate Student Coordinator, and currently oversees graduate education across the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. Her research program centers on the chemical ecology of herbivorous insects and their interactions with host plants, with emphasis on management of vegetable insect pests.

Dr. McAuslane's contributions to the field are substantial, with over 3,232 citations on Google Scholar. Key publications include the highly cited "Repellency of Ginger Oil Against the Rice Moth Corcyra cephalonica in Stored Rice" (Environmental Entomology, 1996) and "Within-Plant Distribution of Frankliniella fusca (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on Peanut" (Journal of Economic Entomology, 2004). She has authored UF/IFAS Extension fact sheets on pests such as Sweetpotato Whitefly B Biotype (Bemisia tabaci), Oleander Aphid (Aphis nerii), Lesser Canna Leafroller (Geshna cannalis), Spotted Oleander Caterpillar Moth (Empyreuma pugione), Oleander Caterpillar (Syntomeida epilais), Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes), and Larger Canna Leafroller (Calpodes ethlius). Additionally, she co-authored the "Better Mentorship, Better Student Experience" series, including "An Introduction to Mentorship" and "Tips for Mentors." Her service extends to roles such as Program Chair for the Florida Entomological Society annual meeting.

Professional Email: hjmca@ufl.edu