She completed her Master of Science in entomology at the University of Minnesota and pursued doctoral-level research at The Ohio State University.
: Investigating biopesticides like Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) to manage fungus gnats in oyster mushroom production. grace sward
She collaborates with agricultural groups to foster environments that encourage native pollinators, such as bumblebees, which are essential for crops like heirloom tomatoes. Community Outreach She completed her Master of Science in entomology
: Developing IPM strategies and studying pesticide resistance in these flies to help berry farmers protect their yields. Community Outreach : Developing IPM strategies and studying
Throughout her career, Sward has advocated for an approach that balances agricultural productivity with environmental health. A central theme of her work is the which emphasizes using natural predator-prey relationships and biopesticides rather than relying solely on synthetic chemicals. Key areas of her research include:
: During her tenure, she led efforts to create digital educational content, including tutorials on using Adobe Illustrator to visualize ecological data and "Virtual BugZoos" to engage the public.
: Recently earned her doctorate from The Ohio State University in 2024. Her dissertation, titled "Evaluation of management components on insect pests impacting gourmet mushroom systems," explored innovative ways to control pests in contained agricultural environments. Research Focus and "Sward's Principle"