Walker receives 2026 CANR Distinguished Faculty Award
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EmailEdward “Ned” Walker, Ph.D., will receive the 2026 CANR Distinguished Faculty Award during the ANR Awards on Friday, February 27.
Dr. Edward “Ned” Walker will receive a Michigan State University (MSU) College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) Distinguished Faculty Award at the February 27 ANR Awards Program.
The Distinguished Faculty Award recognizes faculty members who have brought distinction to the CANR through teaching, research and outreach and provide leadership that has helped others reach their potential for excellence.
Dr. Walker is a professor with a joint appointment in the Department of Entomology in CANR and the Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics in the College of Natural Science. He is internationally recognized for his expertise in insect-vectored pathogens and has made significant contributions to insect science and global health. His research has substantially advanced global understanding of malaria transmission and prevention strategies.
A highly engaged global scholar, Dr. Walker has led many impactful international research projects, including his work supporting the Roll Back Malaria Initiative in sub-Saharan Africa. His research site on the shores of Lake Victoria in western Kenya was often referred to as the “malaria capital of the world” due to high rates of human malaria morbidity and mortality.
Dr. Walker’s research focused on understanding mosquito behavior and its influence on the effectiveness of insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs), which have saved hundreds of thousands of lives annually. The impact of his work led to a significant reduction in malaria mortality.
His commitment to mentorship is evident in his support for both MSU students and African trainees. He traveled frequently to Kenya to provide guidance and resources for local scientists and build capacity for long-term success. Many of Dr. Walker’s former students have gone on to attain prominent positions in academia and public health organizations.
Dr. Walker’s leadership extends beyond the classroom and laboratory. He has played a central role in coordinating vector biology research and outreach nationally, including helping secure a five-year renewal for the CDC Midwest Center of Excellence in Vector-borne Disease in 2022. He also serves as Co-Principal Investigator on an NIH Center Grant in Malawi, collaborating with MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine Professor Terrie Taylor. At MSU, Walker has served on numerous committees and faculty searches, contributing to the growth of medical entomology research on campus.
His record of achievement includes continuous funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for 37 years and a prestigious 10-year NIH MERIT Award. Walker has published more than 200 peer-reviewed articles and received numerous honors, including being named an MSU University Distinguished Professor in 2023, receiving the Ralph H. Smuckler Award for International Studies & Programs in 2024 and earning the Entomological Society of America Founders Memorial Award in 2009.
Despite his international reputation, Walker remains deeply committed to Michigan communities. He works closely with the Michigan Mosquito Control Association and applies his expertise to local public health challenges
