Expertise:
Michels came to Amarillo in 1981 as an Assistant Professor.
He was promoted to Associate Professor in 1987 and to Professor
in 1992. He conducts basic and applied research dealing with
insect and mite pests of field crops in the Texas Panhandle.
Specialties include predator/prey ecology involving coccinellids
and aphids on small grains and sorghum, applied and theoretical
biological control, insect/host-plant interactions, varietal
resistance of wheat to aphids, and the development of new and
novel methods of chemical control. An emerging aspect of the
program is the development of a program for the biological control
of weeds. His current research includes a precision agriculture
focus toward development of insect prediction and management
models. Michels is on the Texas A&M graduate faculty. He is
an adjunct professor and member of the graduate faculty at West
Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas. His work is carried out
under the designs of the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station
Strategic Research Plan and the mission of the Amarillo Research
and Extension Center. He cooperates with other entomologists,
other researchers, extension, and industry personnel.
Professional
and Academic Training:
1980, PhD, Entomology, University of Wyoming
1977, MS, Entomology, University of Wyoming
1975, BS, Wildlife Management and Conservation