Medical and Veterinary Entomologist
University of Georgia, Georgia, United States
Mr. Elmer W. Gray earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology from Clemson University in 1985. In 1990, while working as an entomologist for Clemson University, he earned his Master of Agriculture degree specializing in Medical and Veterinary Entomology.
Mr. Gray currently works as an entomologist with the University of Georgia, Department of Entomology where he supervises the operation of the NIH/NIAID supported Black Fly Research and Resource Center. This center maintains the world’s only black fly colony and conducts a variety of research related to black fly biology and control. The center also serves as a resource for other researchers providing all stages of the black fly life cycle. He also serves as the Public Health Extension Entomologist for the University of Georgia, Cooperative Extension Service. This role focuses on mosquito control training, education and outreach. In 2023, Elmer won the IPM Communicator award, recognizing his efforts to promote IPM based mosquito control practices.
Outside of Georgia, Mr. Gray is a licensed commercial pesticide applicator in North Carolina and South Carolina specializing in black fly suppression. He has also assisted in the development and operation of black fly suppression programs both internationally and domestically, assisting with programs on three continents. Mr. Gray has won both the Clemson University, College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences, Outstanding Classified Employee award and the University of Georgia, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences award for Excellence in Technical support.
Mr. Gray is an active member of the American Mosquito Control Association, the North American Black Fly Association and the Georgia Mosquito Control Association and serves on its Board of Directors. Mr. Gray has been an invited speaker at the local, national, and international level on a variety of entomological topics.
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Thursday, March 26, 2026
4:05 PM - 4:15 PM PDT