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Jeffrey Tomberlin

Jeffery K. Tomberlin

Dr. Jeffery K. Tomberlin is a Professor & AgriLife Research Fellow in the Department of Entomology at Texas A&M University. He is also the Director of the Forensic & Investigative Sciences Program at Texas A&M University, and the principle investigator of the Forensic Laboratory for Investigative Entomological Sciences (F.L.I.E.S.) Facility (forensicentomology.tamu.edu) at Texas A&M University.

Research in the F.L.I.E.S. Facility examines species interactions on ephemeral resources such as vertebrate carrion, decomposing plant material and animal wastes in order to better understand the mechanisms regulating arthropod behavior as related to arrival, colonization and succession patterns. The goals of his program are numerous; however, a major focus of his research is on waste management in confined animal facilities as well as concerns with food waste being placed in landfills. His research efforts for the past 20 years have been developing methods for the production of alternate protein sources for use as livestock, poultry and aquaculture feed from these resources.  Predominately, these efforts have been accomplished through his research with the black soldier fly. Since arriving at Texas A&M University in 2002, 14 Ph.D. and 20 M.S. students have completed their degrees under his supervision. Dr. Tomberlin welcomes those that are interested in collaborating or gaining experience in black soldier fly as a sustainable system to produce protein or other areas of his research to visit the F.L.I.E.S. Facility. Dr. Tomberlin has worked with companies throughout the world including, but not limited to Malaysia, China, and Australia. He has also given presentations (e.g., TEDx) on insects as food and feed throughout the world as well (e.g., China, Malaysia, Australia).

Because of Dr. Tomberlin’s commitment to protecting the environment while helping others, he, along with a group of close friends, started EVO Conversion Systems, LLC (www.evoconsys.com). The mission of EVO is to protect the environment while producing protein with the black soldier fly. Through EVO, individuals are trained to mass produce the black soldier fly as well as partner with other companies that are a part of the EVO Consortium (https://www.evoconsys.com/consortium.html). EVO has partnerships throughout the world and welcomes others interested in learning how to become a collaborator on this exciting path towards sustainable agriculture.

Title of keynote presentation: 
Phenotypic Exploration is the Tip of the Iceberg: Fraud, Espionage, Intellectual Property, Contamination, & Legality

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