Department of Entomology
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    • Departmental History
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    • Graduate >
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      • Deadlines & Forms
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      • Award Opportunities >
        • Gahan Fellowship
        • Teaching Assistant Awards
        • Charlie Mitter Travel Award
        • Award for Excellence in Extension and Outreach
      • Entomology Student Organization
      • Graduate Student Services
    • Online Masters in Applied Entomology
    • Undergraduate >
      • Entomology Minor
      • Honors Program
  • Research
    • IPM & Biological Control of Agricultural, Urban & Forest Pests
    • Ecology, Conservation, Restoration, Climate Change >
      • Pollinator Science and Apiculture
    • Evolution, Systematics and Evo-Devo
    • Genetics & Genomics and Medical Entomology
  • Extension/Outreach
    • Educational Outreach
    • Insect Camp
    • Insect Drawings
    • Insect Identification
    • Pesticide Education and Assessment Program
    • Plant Diagnostic Laboratory (PDL)

Graduate Student Alumni


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



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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.


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

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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

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

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

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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

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Crystal Cooke, PhD, 2018, Mitter Lab
​Research:
Forest micro-hymenoptera, including those attacking trees (cynipidae oak gall wasps) and those potentially defending them (parasitic pteromalidae).
​

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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

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

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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          ​   

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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

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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​

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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

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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

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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

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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


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

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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

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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

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


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


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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

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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.

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

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Anna Noreuil, MS, 2020, Fritz Lab
Research: ​Studies on host-seeking behavior and differential chemosensory gene expression in above- and below-ground Culex pipiens

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​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 Research Associate, vanEngelsdorp Lab, University of Maryland Department of Entomology

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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

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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

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

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

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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

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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

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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.

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

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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

Postdoctoral Research Associate Alumni


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Kristopher Abell, Shrewsbury Lab

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Edwin Afful, Hamby Lab 

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Alina Avanesyan, Lamp Lab


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Humberto Boncristiani, vanEngelsdorp Lab

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Amanda Buchanan, Hooks Lab

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Guihua (Grace) Chen​, Hooks Lab

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Bruno Donzelli, St. Leger Lab

Ariela
Ariela Haber, vanEngelsdorp Lab

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Faith Kung, Pick Lab

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Alan Leslie, Hooks Lab

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Hsiao-Ling Lu, St. Leger Lab

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Holly Martinson, Raupp Lab

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​Schyler Nunziata, Fritz Lab

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Michael Skvarla, Mitter Lab

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Chris Taylor, Hamby Lab

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Kirsten Traynor, vanEngelsdorp Lab

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Robyn Underwood, vanEngelsdorp Lab

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Rebeccah Waterworth, Shrewsbury Lab 

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Department of Entomology 
University of Maryland 
4112 Plant Sciences Building 
College Park, MD 20742-4454
USA

Telephone: 301.405.3911 
Fax: 301.314.9290
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Web Accessibility
  • About
    • At a Glance
    • Welcome From the Chair
    • Departmental History
    • For Alumni
    • Support Entomology >
      • Steinhauer Scholarship Fund
    • Contact >
      • Directions
  • News
    • News
    • Seminar Blog
    • Seminar Schedule
    • Awards
  • People
    • Faculty
    • Post Docs
    • Students
    • Staff
    • Alumni
  • Academics
    • Graduate >
      • Admissions
      • MS Degree Requirements
      • PhD Degree Requirements
      • Deadlines & Forms
      • Financial Assistance
      • Award Opportunities >
        • Gahan Fellowship
        • Teaching Assistant Awards
        • Charlie Mitter Travel Award
        • Award for Excellence in Extension and Outreach
      • Entomology Student Organization
      • Graduate Student Services
    • Online Masters in Applied Entomology
    • Undergraduate >
      • Entomology Minor
      • Honors Program
  • Research
    • IPM & Biological Control of Agricultural, Urban & Forest Pests
    • Ecology, Conservation, Restoration, Climate Change >
      • Pollinator Science and Apiculture
    • Evolution, Systematics and Evo-Devo
    • Genetics & Genomics and Medical Entomology
  • Extension/Outreach
    • Educational Outreach
    • Insect Camp
    • Insect Drawings
    • Insect Identification
    • Pesticide Education and Assessment Program
    • Plant Diagnostic Laboratory (PDL)