Posted: February 1, 2025
Grzegorz Krawczyk, Penn State Extension tree-fruit entomologist and research professor in the Department of Entomology, has been appointed as the new director of the Penn State Fruit Research and Extension Center in Biglerville, PA.
Krawczyk began working as a postdoctoral scholar at FREC in 1997 after earning a doctoral degree from Michigan State University. In 1999, he took on the role of extension fruit entomologist.
"My research and extension programs are dedicated to helping the Pennsylvania fruit industry adopt and integrate the latest biological and technological advances in insect pest management, supporting the sustainability and profitability of fruit production," said Krawczyk, who also holds a bachelor's degree in horticulture and a master's degree in plant pathology from the Agricultural University, Lublin, Poland.
His entomology research program focuses on integrated pest management and arthropod monitoring, particularly insecticide resistance management and conserving beneficial insects and pollinators essential to the fruit ecosystem.
Krawczyk has authored and co-authored several outreach and research publications on pest management in sustainable fruit production. He frequently presents at national and international conferences and has received multiple awards for his scientific contributions.
"The historical interactions between Pennsylvania's fruit industry and Penn State demonstrate how applied research and education can meet stakeholders' needs and drive innovation," he said. "The positioning of FREC at the center of the industry, along with the direct interactions between the center's researchers and fruit growers, is a key reason why our state's fruit industry is thriving and Pennsylvania apple and peach production rank in the top five in the nation."
As director, Krawczyk plans to support and enhance collaboration between FREC researchers and fruit growers to develop new options that assist the industry. He said the multidisciplinary team of researchers supporting the fruit industry at FREC offers a unique opportunity for developing new technologies and their swift practical implementation.
"With support from the college and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, we will sustain and enhance the level of professional excellence for which our center is known," he said. "Collaborating with various branches of the USDA and private ag-supporting industries for the benefit of growers bolsters our ability to assist growers not only from Pennsylvania but also from the entire eastern region of the U.S."
Blair Siegfried, the college's associate dean for research and graduate education and director of the Pennsylvania Agricultural Experiment Station, said he is confident that Krawczyk will continue to advance FREC's mission.
"Greg has demonstrated a deep commitment to industry needs throughout his career in research and extension work around pest management of fruit trees, contributing significantly to profitable fruit production," Siegfried said. "We are excited to welcome him into this role."
