Research Experience
I began my studies really not knowing what I was interested in. After taking a few classes in biology and then entomology I realized I really liked insects. My work has mostly involved insects from the orders Coleoptera and Hymenoptera. However, you can't have insects without plants, and have some experience working in plant taxonomy.
Oklahoma State University
PhD. Student
Baum & Wilder Lab
June 2018 - present
Measuring the composition of floral resources used by bees, including macronutrients and pesticides. This will result in data on the quality of available resources in the landscape, as well as the quality of those resources collected by bees. Samples will be collected during canola flowering and at two other times during the growing season to test how floral resource availability and quality changes throughout the season. Availability and quality of floral resources outside of the canola flowering period is likely a key factor limiting bee populations in this agroecosystem, since many bee species require floral resources for longer or different time periods, or throughout the growing season.
Southeast Missouri State University
M.S. Biology
Judd Lab
August 2016 - May 2018
My masters thesis research involved understanding the nutritional ecology of Agrilus planipennis (Emerald Ash Borer). This was done using biochemical assays for proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and amino acids. This research was a collaboration with the USDA APHIS agent Ben Slager
Southeast Missouri State University
B.S. Organismal, Ecological and Evolutionary biology
Advisor: Dr. Michael Taylor
August 2009 - May 2016
Researched evolutionary relationships of neotropical pipers, analyzed the morphology of known species within the family Piperaceae to justify or challenge the current taxonomy. This is an ongoing research project for the past 30 years. Currently, the South American species within the family Piperaceae are being assessed.