As one of the Arboretum’s senior research scientists, Fredric focuses on evaluating woody ornamental plants for susceptibility to native and exotic insect pests.

Results from his studies are used in assisting in the development of new plant species and cultivars for urban forests and landscapes. In addition, as part of the Illinois Cooperative Forest Health Program, Fredric monitors for insects, diseases, and abiotic disorders affecting rural and urban forests and studies how they affect overall plant health.

His statewide monitoring and survey efforts help Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) district consultants, urban foresters, and allied green industry members access up-to-date pest and disease information, providing for effective management of Illinois’s forest resources (2019 Illinois Forest Health Highlights). His research lab is also actively involved in establishing and evaluating parasitoids for control of the emerald ash borer (EAB).