Dr. Kenneth F. Haynes is a professor in the Department of Entomology at the University of Kentucky. He is internationally known for his research on insect behavior and chemical ecology.
Ken was born in Lexington, Kentucky, in 1954. Before returning to Kentucky he lived in England, India, Massachusetts, Upstate New York, and California. He received a B.S. in biological science from the State University of New York at Binghamton in 1976. He studied with Professor Martin Birch (deceased), earning his Ph.D. in 1982 at the University of California, Davis. He continued to study pheromones of Lepidoptera with Professor Thomas C. Baker at the University of California, Riverside, as a postdoctoral scholar. Martin and Tom taught him the love and practice of good science. Ken accepted a position as an assistant professor of entomology at the University of Kentucky in 1986, and rose through the ranks to professor in 1995.
Ken's research interests have included the evolution of insect pheromones, chemical mimicry of moth pheromones by bolas spiders, behavior and management of bed bugs, and communication in many additional insects. His publications have dealt with basic studies of chemical communication and their applications for pest management. He and Professor Jocelyn Millar edited two books on Methods in Chemical Ecology. He also co-authored a book on Insect Pheromones with Professor Martin Birch. He has more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and more than 30 other publications (including book chapters, trade journal articles, and general science articles). He takes pride in the diverse collaborative projects that he has undertaken with his colleagues and students. He is particularly proud of the accomplishments of the graduate students and postdoctoral scholars who have studied with him. He enjoys teaching, particularly a course that he teaches on insect behavior to both undergraduate and graduate students.
He has served his profession in numerous ways and has been recognized by his university and professional societies including ESA. He has served ESA on the editorial board of the Annals of the Entomological Society and as a subject editor for insect behavior for Environmental Entomology. He is currently on the editorial board for the Journal of Insect Behavior. He edited a special edition of Current Opinion in Insect Science on pheromones. He has been a counselor, treasurer, and president for the International Society of Chemical Ecology. He is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (elected 2011). He was selected as the Bobby C. Pass Research Professor (2012-2016). He received the Thomas Poe Cooper Award for Research and the High Impact Research/Extension Program Award from his college. He received the C.V. Riley Award from the North Central Branch of ESA in 2012.
Ken is married to Joy Gall Haynes since 2000 and before then was married to Elizabeth Weber Haynes (deceased) for 18 years. He has two children and two stepchildren who have all scattered across the country.
(updated August, 2018)