• Integrated Weed Management
• Plant Biology

Associate Professor
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
618-453-7679
kgage@siu.edu

Dr. Karla Gage is an Associate Professor of Weed Science and Plant Biology at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. She holds a cross-appointment in the College of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Plant, Soil and Agricultural Systems, and the College of Science, Department of Plant Biology. Dr. Gage earned her Ph.D. in Plant Biology with a focus on Weed Ecology from Southern Illinois University Carbondale in 2013 and an M.S. in Biology from the University of Memphis in 2006.

Her research and extension work spans agricultural, grassland, forest, and aquatic ecosystems, with expertise in weed management research, planning, and control. Her special interests include the biology and ecology of weeds in both managed and unmanaged systems, the efficacy of emerging technologies in weed control, and the effects of management practices on weed population dynamics and community composition—often referred to as “weed shifts.” She also studies the evolution of herbicide resistance and the consequences of management on weed adaptation.

Dr. Gage is a strong advocate for the use of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) systems, emphasizing the combination of biological, cultural, mechanical, physical, and chemical approaches for long-term, sustainable weed control. In addition, she engages with weed and invasive plant policy, contributing to strategies that support both agricultural productivity and ecological balance.

Fun Facts!
Dr. Gage’s research lab houses a collection of weed seeds dating back to 1997. Rather than discarding older accessions, she has continued adding storage capacity—now up to five refrigerators—to preserve them. In some cases, the collection includes samples of the same species from the same fields over time, creating a valuable resource for future studies on weed evolution.