Eileen M Cullen

Ph.D. Entomology, University of California, Davis

M.S. Plant Protection and Pest Management, University of California, Davis

B.S. Agricultural Eduction, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

Department Chair, Cal Poly Pomona, Plant Science Department, 2022-current

Faculty, Cal Poly Pomona, Plant Science Department, 2014-current

Faculty. University of Wisconsin, Madison, Entomology Department, 2003-2014

Extension Specialist, University of Wisconsin Extension, 2003-2014

Plant Science, Entomlogy, Integrated Pest Management, Agricultural Education, Urban Agriculture, Organic Farming, Program Assessment and Evaluation, Higher Education

Dr. Eileen Cullen is an entomologist and educator with over 20 years of experience researching issues in agriculture. Her work has resulted in University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources Statewide Integrated Pest Management recommendations for stink bugs affecting California processing tomatoes and an economic threshold for invasive soybean aphids throughout the Midwestern US. She led a team of growers and wildlife conservationists to successfully register the first food crop use of a biopesticide that protects corn from sandhill cranes without harming the birds, and she was among the first scientists to document corn rootworm resistance to transgenic corn and make recommendations to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for responding to the issue.

After working on a wide range of farming systems in the U.S., and a sabbatical with Teagasc Agriculture and Food Development Authority in Ireland, she is focused on building resilient, equitable and participatory urban food systems with students, faculty, community organizations, and government agencies. A trained organic inspector, she has overseen conversion of university farmland to USDA National Organic Program Certified Organic status, at both Cal Poly Pomona Spadra Farm and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arlington Agricultural Research Station.

Dr. Cullen teaches courses on urban agriculture, crop ecology, organic agriculture and environmental toxicology. Examples of research by her student advisees include microbial food safety on urban farms, hydroponic vegetable production, urban farm soil quality, and edible insect food ingredients. She co-directs the Urban and Community Agriculture Minor at Cal Poly Pomona.