Dr. Phil Koehler Scholarship

The Pest Management Foundation has a number of scholarships for students. The application period is now closed. Scholarship applications are accepted from October 1 through November 30th each year. Scholarship recipients will be notified in mid-January.

Donor: Jerry Gahlhoff

Award Amount: One (1) award per year totaling $1,000 

Dr. Phil Koehler dedicated his career to supporting and developing students in Urban Entomology.  This scholarship was established to honor his efforts by providing financial support to students that desire to study and find careers in this wonderful industry.

Scholarship Criteria

  • Full-time student in good academic standing who is graduating from high school and entering college or trade school, or who is currently enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate college student.
  • Preference given to applicants with a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
  • Currently enrolled in, or plan to pursue, a degree program that benefits urban pest management.

Application Submission Requirements

  • Resume or curriculum vita.
  • Current unofficial academic transcript.
  • A one-page (minimum) essay describing applicant’s professional goals and aspirations and how he/she plans to use their studies to contribute to a field in urban pest management.
  • At least one (1) letter of recommendation from the applicant’s teacher or counselor addressing the applicant’s progress in studies, and his or her work ethic.
  • Other supporting documents (research papers and proposals, faculty research participation, related industry internship participation, fellowship projects, industry work experience, etc.) can also be submitted.

Scholarship Recipients

 

2025-2026 Recipient

Kukhyun Lim

University of Florida

Kukhyun Lim is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Entomology and Nematology at the University of Florida. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Biochemistry, with a minor in IT Applied Engineering, from Pusan National University in South Korea, followed by a Master of Science degree in Entomology and Nematology from the University of Florida. He is a student of the University of Florida Termite Laboratory under the guidance of Dr. Nan-Yao Su. Kukhyun’s research focuses on the construction behavior of termite shelter tubes, with particular emphasis on how environmental conditions and resource availability influence architectural design, geometry, and foraging. Through controlled laboratory experiments and quantitative analyses, his work aims to improve the understanding of termite behavioral ecology and the mechanisms underlying collective construction. His long-term research interests include social insect behavior, insect–environment interactions, and the application of behavioral insights to pest management strategies.

2024-2025 Recipient

Simona Principato

University of Kentucky

Simona Principato is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Entomology at the University of Kentucky. She earned her B.S. in Biotechnology from the Università degli Studi di Perugia in Italy and her M.S. in Entomology from Harper Adams University in the United Kingdom. Her current research in the Urban Entomology Lab, under the guidance of Dr. DeVries, focuses on bed bugs, specifically investigating the clinical relevance of bed bug-derived histamine, developing mitigation strategies, and improving bed bug control methods. Through her academic journey, she is committed to advancing her expertise and making meaningful contributions to the pest management industry.