Google Scholar Link:
Background:
BS Ecology
and Evolutionary Biology - University of Rochester, NY
PhD Evolution,
Ecology and Organismal Biology - University of California, Riverside
USDA-NIFA
Postdoctoral Fellow - University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Research
Interests:
insect microbial
ecology, plant-insect-symbiont interactions, metagenomics, applied evolutionary
entomology, vector biology, population genetics
Research Summary:
Insects engage in diverse associations with microbial partners that
range from parasitism to mutualism. Within both natural
and agro-ecosystems the implications of microbial partnerships are
important for determining how insects respond to environmental
stress, overcome host plant defenses and spread diseases. For example, many insects are
known for their symbiotic relationships with bacteria that play essential
nutritional and defensive roles. In addition, insects are
highly effective vectors of many plant pathogens. My research
group is interested in understanding multi-trophic
interactions between aphids, their symbionts and host plants. Ongoing research aims
to investigate the extent to which the
aphid microbiome mediates interactions with host plants and
influences the transmission of plant pathogens. We primarily focus
on a suite of aphid species that feed on toxic milkweed
plants and several pest species that vector Barley yellow dwarf
virus in cereal agro-ecosystems.