Insect Ecology and Management Lab

We study both natural processes and applied issues relating to forest insects. We generally seek projects that are at the intersection of basic and applied research. Our goal is to better understand species interactions across multiple taxa within forest communities and apply this understanding to protect natural resources. Our research seeks solutions to effectively management insect pests and solves ‘real world’ problems. We take an interdisciplinary approach, using insights drawn from a diverse group of scientists, engineers, artists, specialized technicians, and students. Though we focus on forestry related issues in the southwest, our projects have national and international significance.

Research areas include but are not limited to:

• Eruptive insect dynamics (e.g. bark beetles, pandora moth, oystershell scale) and factors that affect their dynamics
• Symbiotic and phoretic associations among insects, mites, and microbes
• Management of invasive species (e.g. emerald ash borer, sirex woodwasp)
• Community interactions associated with changing climate and forest management
• Use of new technologies (e.g. acoustic exciters) to detect and manage pests of wood products and trees.

Primary contact

Current members

• Chrissy Mott – Ph.D. candidate, Effect of soil arthropods on restoration post-fire
• Rory Pedersen – M.S., Temporal and spacial distribution and abundance of pandora moth in Grand Canyon
• Kelsey Pimberton – M.F., Current and future uses of fungi in forest management
• Jack Hood – M.F., Bark beetle management
• Andrew Henning – Senior undergraduate, HURA award recipient; Accelerated MS program studying endophytes of ponderosa pine
• Emma Elsner – Junior undergraduate, HURA award recipient studying monarch caterpillar performance on milkweed species
• Mekeilah Aguilar – Senior undergraduate, studying seed foraging preferences of harvester ants

Former post-docs

2019-2020 Dr. Ivan Lukic, Fulbright Scholar from Croatia

2013-2014 Dr. Kristen Potter, NAU TRIF Post-doctoral Associate

Former graduate students and their current position

• 2017-2022 Sneha Vissa, PhD – Lecturer for Dept. of Biology at NAU – linkedin page
• 2016-2022 Derek Uhey, Ph.D. – Lecturer for NAU School of Forestry and Coconino Community College
• 2020-2022 Mimi Hoffman – accelerated M.S., Effects of sound on bee communication within the nest
• 2020-2021 Hannah Riskas – accelerated M.S., currently a PhD student at La Trobe University
• 2018-2020 Grace Nagle – M.F. (did not complete degree), Effect of climate bark beetle-tree mortality
• 2017-2019 Marcos Riquelme – M.S., currently PhD student at University of British Columbia
• 2017-2019 Shafia Zahra – M.S., currently in PhD program at University of South Bohemia
• 2018-2019 Adrian Kiser – Accelerated M.S., Biomass Assistant, Region 6 USDA
• 2014-2017 Sneha Vissa, M.S. also completed a PhD in the lab – linkedin page
• 2016 Johnny Kaplan, M.S. (did not complete degree)
• 2013-2016 Stephen Burr, Ph.D. (co-advisor Tom Kolb)- Forest Health Coordinator for Region 9
• 2014-2016 Derek Uhey, M.S., also completed a PhD in the lab – linkedin page
• 2013-2015 Clair Nash-Loucks, M.F. – Recreation technician for USDA in Prescott AZ
• 2009-2015 Ben Jaffe, Ph.D. (advisor Steve Shuster) – Applied Ecologist for ExxonMobil
• 2014-2015 Nick Aflitto, M.S. – NSF funded PhD student at Cornell University
• 2012-2014 Jake Baker, M.F. NNF fellowship – Forester in Stanislaus National Forest in California
• 2012-2013 Tiffani Fallucca, M.S. (did not complete degree) – linkedin page
• 2010-2013 Chris Hoffman, M.S. – GIS Analyst on the Plumas National Forest
• 2009-2013 Kasey Yturralde, Ph.D. IGERT – Urban Forester with DC Government
• 2008-2011 Seth Davis, Ph.D. IGERT – Assistant Professor at Colorado State University
• 2009-2011 Chris Foelker, M.S. – DATCP Gypsy Moth Program Coordinator
• 2010 Karen Weber, M.F. – Field biologist in California
• 2009-2010 Grace Hancock, M.F. – forester in the Black Mesa Ranger District, Arizona
• 2008-2009 Windy Greer, M.S. – worked with Ecological Restoration Institute
• 2007-2009 Amanda Garcia (Grady), M.S. – Forest Entomologist for Forest Health Protection Region 3
• 2007-2009 Danielle Reboletti, M.S. – Entomologist for Forest Health Protection Region 4
• 2006-2008 Seth Davis, M.S. – Professor at Colorado State University
• 2006-2008 Elisabeth Alden, M.F. – Faculty at Univ. of Arizona American Indian Studies
• 2006-2007 Chris Hayes, M.S. – Entomologist with USDA

Former undergraduate students and scientists

• 2022 Isabel Parada (REU student) – studied the role of fungal endophytes in ponderosa defense against pathogens
• 2020-2021 Melissa Peiffer (post-undergraduate) – developed app (EAB Detect) for insect acoustic detection device
• 2021-2023 Emma Elsner – I2S Scholar and HURA award Recipient studying natural enemies of Oystershell scales and monarch performance on milkweeds
• 2020-2022 Andrew Hanning – I2S Scholar and HURA award Recipient studying resin ducts and interactions with mistletoe
• 2021 summer Kimberly Merrill – REU student, studied effects of pinyon resin chemistry on fungal growth
• 2021 summer Sierra Highley – REU student, studied effects of pinyon resin chemistry on fungal growth
• 2020-2021 Evan Veloz – undergraduate, use of Beauveria bassiana as an endophyte against herbivores
• 2019-2020 Rory Petersen – Hooper award/ERI
• 2019 Christopher Lam – I2S Scholar
• 2018-2020 Scarlet Jackson, ERE project on forest management and bee abundance
• 2018-2019 Madison Martz – mite research, travel to Russia
• 2018 Sam Lehman – I2S scholar
• 2018 Maxwell Herbert, I2S Scholar
• 2017-2018 Sean Ramey, Researcher
• 2017 Karis Miller, Researcher
• 2017-2018 Emelia Lawrence, I2S Scholar and Hooper Award
• 2017 Shaye Holdaway, Researcher
• 2016-2018 Emily Haworth, I2S Scholar and Hooper Award
• 2015-2016 Johnny Kaplan, Hooper Award
• 2014-2016 Brennen Copp –studied acoustics and fungi
• 2013-2015 Heidi Neumann, Technician
• 2014 Emily Fuld, Senior Research project
• 2014 Rafael Ozol De Assuncao, Brazilian Exchange student
• 2014 Francisco De Marques De Figueiredo, Brazilian Exchange student
• 2013-2014 Barbara Sugarman, Hooper Award
• 2013-2014 Andrew Mann, Hooper Award
• 2013-2014 Joe Parrot, Independent Research
• 2012-2014 Jerod Benefield, URM Scholar
• 2012-2013 Patricia Rees, Hooper Award
• 2012-2013 Amanda Robinson, NAU Scholars program
• 2012-2013 Bo Stevens, Hooper Award
• 2012-2013 Theresa Reyes, REU student
• 2011-2014 Nick Aflitto, Hooper Award, Indep. Research
• 2011-2012 Stafano Padilla, Hooper Award
• 2011-2012 Shannon Madden, Hooper Award
• 2011-2012 Kaelyn Finley, Student technician
• 2010-2012 Eli Jensen, Student technician
• 2009-2011 Nate Foote, NSF IGERT funded
• 2006-2011 Reagan McGuire
• 2010 Patrick Kinlicheene, REU student
• 2009 Audrey Harvey, REU student
• 2008 Vanessa Yazzie, REU student
• 2006 Jim Duncan, Student technician
• 2005 Gabe DeGomez, Student technician
• 2005 Susan Hebert, Student technician
• 2005 Kevin Johnson, Student technician
• 2005 Laine Smith, Student technician
• 2005 James Stewart, Student technician

Opportunities in the lab and at NAU

There are multiple opportunities for undergraduate research and technician positions. If you are an undergraduate student interested in working in the lab, please send me an email with your interests and timeline (or photocopy of transcripts).

If you are interested in graduate school, please send me a cover letter, resume, GRE scores, and a list of classes taken and grades, and a contact (reference) person. I will keep your materials on file for at least 2 years. I encourage you to contact my current or former graduate students by e-mail (linked on this page). When I get funding for a project, I will review all packets received in the previous 2 years. Also, Masters of Forestry positions are always available (since funding is not required for these positions).