Gregory T. Payne, Ph.D.

Director of the School of Field Investigations and Experimental Sciences & Professor of Biology
School of Field Investigations and Experimental Sciences Dr. Perry College of Mathematics, Computing, and Sciences

678-839-6547
gpayne@westga.ed2ZcqsZ1UCFG58KnGss8Cg6zsRu

Biology Building - Room 208
Office Hours
MT 9:00am-11:00am and 2:00pm-3:00pm
T 9:00am-11:00am
Th 1:00pm-4:00pm
or by appointment

Download curriculum vitae for Gregory T. Payne, Ph.D. in MS Word
Gregory T. Payne, Ph.D.

Dr. Gregory Payne

I grew up in Georgia and received my Bachelor of Science in Biology from Georgia College.  I earned my Master of Science and doctorate degrees in Entomology from Clemson University and trained as a postdoctoral scientist at Cornell University.  After two years of working in industry agricultural chemicals company, I missed the academic lifestyle and interaction with students and came to the University of West Georgia where I am now in my 30th year as a professor of Biology.  I teach Human Anatomy & Physiology, Entomology, Invertebrate Zoology, Toxicology, and Comparative Animal Physiology.

My research in Entomology – the study of insects – may seem unusual to many; however, my research has brought state-wide and regional recognition to the University of West Georgia.  My students and I monitor the development of insecticide resistance in various pests of field crops including cotton, corn, tobacco, peanuts, and soybeans.  The data generated by this research helps growers and agricultural research scientists develop and implement insect control strategies. 

My research has allowed me to collaborate with other UWG professors, with researchers from other universities, and with researchers from government agencies and industry.  Along with keeping tabs on how insect populations respond to insecticides, I have also participated in local watershed assessment projects, a project to characterize the immune response in a local fish species, projects to monitor the accumulation of metals in the aquatic insect and fish populations of a local stream, and in insect diversity projects.  Along with other faculty, I fund and oversee a Biology Program apiary and two campus pollinator garden projects.

In recent years, I have served as the Biology Program Coordinator, Associate Dean of the College of Science and Mathematics, and as Chair of the Department of Biology.  Currently, I am serving as Chair of the Department of Natural Sciences which is composed of the following five programs:  Biology, Chemistry, Geography, Geology, and Physics.

  • B.S., Biology, Georgia College, 1980
  • M.S., Entomology, Clemson University, 1982
  • Ph.D., Entomology, Clemson University, 1987

Spring 2025 Sections

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Fall 2020 Sections

Yang, F., Santiago Gonzalez, J., Little, N., Reisig, D. Payne, G., Dos Santos, R., Jurat-Fuentes, J., Kurtz, R., and Kerns, D. 2012. First documentation of major Vip3Aa resistance alleles in field populations of Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) (Lepidoptera: Noct [View Publication External Resource]

Blanco, C., Andow, D., Gould, F., Abel, C., Sumerford, D., Hernandez, G., Lopez, J., Adams, L., Ali, I., Groot, A., Leonard, R., Lutrell, R., Parker, R., Payne, G., Perera, O., Teran-Vargas, A., and Azuara-Dominguez, A. 2009. Bacillus thuringiensis

Cho, Sae-Youll, G.T. Payne, P.K. Bryson and T.M. Brown. 2003. Single Gene controlling black eyes found from the intercross of two yellow-eyed strains of Heliothis virescens. Genesis 36: 34-39

Bloomquist, J.R., G.T. Payne, L. Kinne, J. Lyga, D. Leong and R.A. Nicholson. 2002. Toxicity and mode of action of benzhydrolpiperidines and related compounds in insects. Pestic. Biochem. Physiol. 73: 18-26.

Ottea, J.A., G.T. Payne, J.R. Bloomquist and D.M. Soderlund. 1989. Activation of sodium channels and inhibition of [3H]Batrachotoxinin A-20--benzoate binding by an N-alkylamide neurotoxin. Mol. Pharmacol. 36: 280-284

Brown, T.M., P.K. Bryson and G.T. Payne. 1996. Synergism by propynyl aryl ethers in permethrin-resistant tobacco budworm larvae, Heliothis virescens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Pestic. Sci. 43: 323-331

Payne, G.T. and D.M. Soderlund. 1991. Activation of gamma-aminobutyric acid- insensitive chloride channels in mouse brain synaptic vesicles by avermectin B1a. J. Biochem. Toxicol. 6: 283-292

Payne, G.T. and D.M. Soderlund. 1989. Allosteric enhancement by DDT of [3H]Batrachotoxinin A-20--benzoate to sodium channels. Pestic. Biochem. Physiol. 33: 276-282

Payne, G.T., R.G. Blenk and T.M. Brown. 1988. Inheritance of permethrin resistance in the tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens (F.). J. Econ. Entomol. 81: 65-73

Payne, G.T. and T.M. Brown. 1984. EPN and S,S,S-tributyl phosphorotrithioate as synergists of methyl parathion in resistant tobacco budworm larvae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). J. Econ. Entomol. 77: 294-297