Alumni

Graduate Student Alumni

Grace Anderson, MS, 2017, Shultz Lab
Research: Revision of the North American Harvestman Genus Hadrobunus (Opiliones, Sclerosomatidae)

Alec Armstrong, PhD, MEES, Palmer Lab
Research: Relating biogeochemistry to hydrologic connectivity in stream and wetland ecosystems with a particular focus on organic matter dynamics.

Olivia Bernauer, MS, 2017, vanEngelsdorp Lab
Research: The Maryland Native Pollinator Survey: combining Citizen Scientists with a specimen collection to determine the floral preferences of Maryland’s native pollinators.

Maira Bezerra, PhD, 2017, MEES, Palmer Lab
Research: Sugarcane agriculture as an agent of geomorphic change and stream degradation in Brazil.

Elizabeth Brandt, MS student, Hawthorne Lab
Research: The genetics of insect detoxification pathways, specifically honey bees and the upstream detoxification gene regulator Nrf2.

Mercedes Burns, PhD, 2014, BEES, Shultz Lab
Research: Phylogenetic Exploration of Mating System Evolution in the Eastern North American Leiobunine Harvestmen (Opiliones: Sclerosomatidae)
Current Position: Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, UMBC

Mengyao Chen, MS, 2018, Pick Lab
Research: Evolution of segmentation genes in non-holometabolous insects.

Peter Coffey, MS, 2018, Hooks Lab
Research: Can cover crop residues seuppress pests and improve yield in eggplant?
Current Position: Agent Associate, Agriculture and Food Systems Educator, Carroll County, University of Maryland Extension

Crystal Cooke-McEwen, PhD, 2018, Mitter Lab
Research: Forest micro-hymenoptera, including those attacking trees (cynipidae oak gall wasps) and those potentially defending them (parasitic pteromalidae).
Current Position: Entomology Instructor, Department of Agricultural Biology , Colorado State University

Brock Couch, MS, 2019, BEES, Lamp Lab
Research: Biological connectivity of wetland and stream habitats on the Delmarva Peninsula using aquatic macroinvertebrates.
Current Position: PhD student, Mathematics and Science Education, Middle Tennessee State University

Aditi Dubey, PhD, 2020, Hamby Lab
Research: Evaluating the potential benefits and long-term sustainability of neonicotinoid seed treatments in mid-atlantic grain crop production
Current Position: Postdoctoral Associate, Hamby Lab, UMD Department of Entomology

Becca Eckert, PhD, 2020, Lamp Lab
Research: Leaf-associated periphyton in heterotrophic streams: Effect on macroinvertebrate assemblages and growth.

Steve Epting, MS, MEES, Palmer Lab
Research: Using landscape metrics to predict hydrologic connectivity patterns between forested wetlands and streams in a coastal plain watershed.
Current Position: Biologist with the EPA Healthy Watersheds Program and National Tribal Nonpoint Source Coordinator

Rosemary Fanelli, PhD, 2016, MEES, Palmer Lab
Research: Effects of urbanization and infiltration-based watershed restoration on the hydro-ecology of headwater streams.
Current Position: Hydrologist, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Baltimore, MD

Alexander Forde, PhD student, BEES, Gruner Lab
Research: Community ecology, multi-trophic interactions, ecological effects of biodiversity.

Andrew Garavito, MS, 2017, vanEngelsdorp Lab
Research: Pollen Nutrition, Pesticides, and Pathogens: Interactive Effects on Honey Bee Health.
Current position: Faculty Research Assistant, vanEngelsdorp Lab, UMD Department of Entomology

Ryan Gott, PhD, 2016, Lamp/Hawthorne Lab
Research: Tying the molecular to the ecological: Gene expression as a biomarker of exposure in the amphipod Hyalella azteca.
Current position: IPM Specialist, Phipps Conservatory, Pittsburgh, PA

Jessica Grant, MS, 2016, Lamp Lab
Research: Phenology and Cold Tolerance of Megacopta cribraria: An Invasive Soybean Pest at its Northern Limit.
Current Position: Insect Zoo and Butterfly Pavilion Contractor, Smithsonian Institute's National Museum of Natural History

Jackie Hoban, MS, 2017, Shrewsbury Lab
Research: Effect of habitat factors and host plant on natural enemies of emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) and implications for biological control.
Current position: Technical Specialist, Home Paramount Pest Control

Kelly Hondula, PhD, 2021, MEES, Palmer Lab
Research: Links between hydrology and carbon cycling in forested wetlands

Jake Hosen, PhD, 2015, MEES, Palmer Lab
Research: Alterations to headwater stream microbial communities and carbon cycling in response to environmental change.
Current position: Postdoctoral Fellow at Yale University

Lauren Hunt, MS, 2016, Hooks Lab
Research: Influence of a native insectary plant, Chamaecrista fasciculata (Michx.) on organic field corn and arthropod communities.
Current Position: Data Analyst at Keyrus USA, New York, New York

Ana Jesovnik, PhD, 2016, Mitter Lab
Research: Taxonomy, phylogenomics, and natural history of the fungus-farming ant genus Sericomyrmex.

Cora Ann Johnston, PhD, 2016, BEES, Gruner Lab
Research: Marine community assembly in a dynamic ecotone.
Current Position: Site Director for University of Virginia's Coastal Research Center and the Virginia Coast Reserve LTER

Hanna Kahl, MS, 2017, Hooks Lab
Research: Using living mulch and wolf spiders to manage arthropods in cucumber.
Current Position: PhD Student, Rosenheim Lab, University of California-Davis

Anna Kottkamp, MS, 2019, MEES, Palmer Lab
Research: Organic matter biogeochemistry of terrestrial-wetland interfaces.

Kelly Kulhanek, PhD, 2020, vanEngelsdorp Lab
Research: Characterizing effectiveness of and obstacles to best beekeeping management practices

Dylan Kutz, MS, 2020, Lamp Lab
Research:Agricultural drainage ditches as sources of beneficial spiders to enhance conservation biocontrol in adjacent croplands
Current Position: Quality Control Supervisor at American Pest.

Zachary Lamas, PhD Candidate, Hawthorne Lab
Research: Studying the feeding behavior of Varroa destructor mites.

Alan Leslie, PhD, 2014, Lamp Lab
Research: The diversity of burrowing benthic invertebrates and their impact on phosphorus dynamics in agricultural drainage ditches.
Current Position: Agent, Agriculture and Food Systems Educator, Charles County, University of Maryland Extension

Maggie Lewis, PhD, 2020, Hamby Lab
Research: Evaluating the interactions between spotted wing drosophila and its yeast and fungal microbes, as well as improving spotted wing drosophila integrated pest management.
Current Position: Postdoctoral Associate, Ohio State University

Brian Lovett, PhD, 2019, St. Leger Lab
Research: Mycology and genetics in agricultural and vector biology systems, currently analyzing mycorrhizal interactions in agricultural systems, the transcriptomics of malaria vector mosquitoes, and the genomes of entomopathogenic fungi.
Current Position: Postdoctoral Associate, Kasson Laboratory, Division of Plant & Soil Sciences, West Virginia University

Gussie Maccracken, PhD, 2020, Shultz Lab
Research: Plant-arthropod associations of southern laramidia during the campanian (late cretaceous)
Current Position: Paleontologist, NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science in Colorado

Mayda Nathan, PhD, 2020, Gruner Lab
Research: Plant-insect interactions in a shifting coastal ecosystem: Avicennia germinans and its associated arthropods

Anna Noreuil, MS, 2020, Fritz Lab
Research: Studies on host-seeking behavior and differential chemosensory gene expression in above- and below-ground Culex pipiens
Current Position: Faculty Assistant, Fritz Lab, UMD Department of Entomology

Turtle shell- place holder for Demian Nunez photo

Demian Nunez, MS, 2022, Hooks Lab
Research: Studying the potential biocontrol benefits of intercropping row crops with perennial ground cover in order to increase the natural abundance of ground predators such as wolf spiders.
Current Position:

Samuel Ramsey, PhD, 2018, vanEngelsdorp Lab
Research: Novel adaptations in morphology, development, and nutrient acquisition for host exploitation in the mesostigmatid honey bee parasite varroa destructor.
Current Position: Postdoctoral Associate, USDA's Bee Lab in Maryland

Armando Rosario-Lebron, MS, 2016, Hooks Lab
Research: The effect of barley cover crop residue and herbicide management on the arthropod community in no-till soybeans.
Current Position: Agricultural Scientist, USDA

Justin Rosenthal, PhD, 2021, Yaun/Pick Lab
Research: Using the Drosophila larval visual circuit as a model to determine how synaptic activity influences development of the postysnapse in central neurons.

Andrew Sensenig, PhD, 2009, Shultz Lab
Research: Elastic Sclerites and Hydraulics in Arachnid Locomotion.
Current Position: Assistant Professor of Biology, Fresno Pacific University

Serhat Solmaz, MS, 2021, vanEngelsdorp Lab
Research: Studying the effects of Nosema cerenae on honey bee pathophysiology

Elanor Stevens, PhD, 2016, BEES, Lamp Lab
Research: Analysis of macroinvertebrate communities in seasonal wetlands through time, space, and species traits.
Current Position: Education Coordinator, Forest Park Forever

Nathalie Steinhauer, PhD, 2016, vanEngelsdorp Lab
Research: Reducing the risk of honey bee colony loss through beekeeping management practices.
Current Position: Postdoctoral Associate, vanEngelsdorp Lab, UMD Department of Entomology

Ted Striegel, MS, 2021, Hawthorne Lab
Research: A Survey of bees in the University of Maryland campus area

Christopher Taylor, PhD, 2016, Mitter/Dively Lab
Research: Understanding the Relationship between the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål), and its symbiont, Candidatus Pantoea carbekii, with implications for stink bug management.
Current Position: Technical Specialist, Home Paramount Pest Control

Elske Tielens, PhD, 2019, BEES, Gruner Lab
Research: Diversity and structure of Metrosideros polymorpha canopy arthropod communities across space and time.
Current Position: Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Oklahoma

Morgan Thompson, MS, 2019, Lamp Lab
Research: Evaluating the effect of potato leafhopper (Empoasca fabae) feeding on biological nitrogen fixation in alfalfa (Medicago sativa)
Current Position: Ph.D. student at Texas A&M.

Madvhi Venkatraman, PhD, 2021, BEES, Gruner Lab
Research: Population genomics and adaptation to novel environments in the invasive Japanese white-eye (Zosterops japonicus)
Current Position: NSF Postdoctoral Fellow in Biology

Rebecca Wilson, PhD, 2018, Lamp Lab
Research: Spatial Distribution, Habitat Preference, and Societal Impact of the Nuisance Black Fly, Simulium jennings

Jie Xiang, PhD, 2017, MOCB, Pick Lab
Research: Dermestes maculatus, a new beetle model system to study segmentation.
Current Position: Business Development Manager, Biocytogen Boston Corporation