Katja Poveda
Associate Professor, Department of Entomology

My research focuses on the ecology of plant-insect interactions in agricultural systems and their interface with natural systems. I focus on two main themes: 1) The effect of diversity at local and landscape scales on ecosystem (dis)services important for agricultural systems, including pollination, herbivory, biological control and ultimately yield, and 2) the ecological, physiological, and genetic mechanisms of plant tolerance and resistance traits in agricultural crops. We seek to improve our understanding of ecological phenomena in agroecosystems that can potentially inform management strategies important for more sustainable agricultural production. My research approach involves rigorously designed field experiments at farm- or landscape-scales, combined with greenhouse and laboratory experiments that provide insight into the mechanisms driving the field patterns. I feel very passionate about personalized mentoring and teaching students at all levels of education. My research is conducted in agro-ecosystems in Colombia, Kenya, Malawi, Costa Rica and the US. At the farm scale we have been focusing in developing crop management systems that reduce pest pressure and increase yield through the use of functionally important plants (trap plants for pests, repellent plants for pests and flowering plants attractive for natural enemies and pollinators). In addition, we have been studying the responses of different varieties of crop plants to herbivores in order to harness their natural defense mechanisms (resistance and tolerance) in management practices or breeding processes that would lead to higher production with less reliance and chemical fertilizers and pesticide use. At the landscape scale we are investigating how important the biodiversity surrounding a farm is for ecosystem services such as pollination, natural pest control and increased yields.
Courses Taught
- ENTOM 9900: Doctoral Level Thesis Research
- ENTOM 4730: Ecology of Agricultural Systems
- ENTOM 4730: Ecology of Agricultural Systems
- PLHRT 4730: Ecology of Agricultural Systems
- PLHRT 4730: Ecology of Agricultural Systems
- AGSCI 4960: Internship in Agricultural Sciences
- BIOEE 7640: Plant-Insect Interactions Seminar
- BIONB 7640: Plant-Insect Interactions Seminar
- ENTOM 7640: Plant-Insect Interactions Seminar
- ENTOM 4990: Undergraduate Research in Entomology
Contact Information
4126 Comstock Hall
kap235 [at] cornell.edu
Katja in the news

News
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded $3.8 million in funding to the Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station to support more than 50 projects across three colleges.
- Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station
- Department of Global Development
- Global Development

News
Cornell Atkinson has awarded eleven Academic Venture Fund (AVF) seed grants for research by 40 faculty researchers representing eight Cornell colleges and 19 academic departments. The 2021 awards span 11 countries on five continents and many...
- Cornell Atkinson
- Department of Global Development
- Statistics and Data Science