Graduate Students

Examining the potential pests and their impact on pennycress (Thlaspi arvense) production.

Eastern Larch Beetle

Developing non-lethal methods to study endangered insects, including using occupancy modeling to estimate detection probabilities and non-invasive ways to study population genetics of Bombus spp.

I am interested in how to establish and restore prairies for native plants and wild bees and the driving factors that make restoration successful at both local and landscape levels. Additionally, I am interested in connecting policy decision with prairie and pollinator conservation that help both people and the environment.

Understanding late-season management of Potato Virus Y, a serious aphid-vectored disease limiting seed potato production.

I am interested in how bumble bees use different habitats for foraging and nesting. I would also like to work towards developing efficient methods for locating bumble bee nests, including those of the endangered Rusty-patched Bumble Bee (Bombus affinis).

Winter dynamics of an aquatic fly (Diptera: Chironomidae)

My research will include studies aimed to learn more about Japanese beetle basic biology, phenology, and continue working on developing a IPM program growers can use to manage this pest. 

Genetics behind the host-microbe relationship within the parasitoid wasp Trichogramma pretiosum and its symbiont, Wolbachia.

It will most likely involve genomics and Necrobia rufipes. That’s all I know presently. I would love to do a smaller project related to VOCs and chemical attraction.

Wolbachia genetics

Mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) and eastern five-spined ips (Ips grandicollis) dispersal in western Montana.

Insecticide resistance management for soybean aphid, using molecular techniques and understanding the growers practices. 

I am working on the garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) biocontrol effort, researching two Ceutorhynchus weevils from the plant's native range in Europe.

Biological control of soybean gall midge. 

My research explores pyrethroid resistance in soybean aphid (Aphis glycines Matsumura). We've developed a rapid assessment bioassay for pyrethroid resistance in the soybean aphid and I'm hoping to pair that data with in-field insecticide efficacy that could aid growers in choosing effective management tools. I'll also be exploring accompanying fitness costs (or lack there of) that may be associated with pyrethroid resistance.

Insect Biological Control for Conservation Biology

Associational protection and potential non-target effects of systemic insecticide treatments against emerald ash borer

I will be researching apple IPM, specifically the effectiveness of hail netting at excluding harmful insect pests from the apple crop.

Winter emergence of Chironomidae in trout streams

Resin use and social immunity in honey bees and stingless bees

My research interests are broadly centered around using molecular genetic and microscopy methods to understand the interactions between symbiotic bacteria, other microbes, and their arthropod hosts. More specifically, I am interested in the bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia not only for its general medical importance in disease vector control but also for its ubiquitous nature in insects and the many unexplored interactions and phenomenons displayed in its wide host range.

IPM specifically of Japanese Beetles

Integrated pest management solutions for crop production related to Western Corn Rootworm - Diabrotica virgifera virgifera - and Northern Corn Rootworm - Diabrotica barberi (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) focused on scouting alternative for growers.

Dispersal of gypsy moth larvae