Ana Maria Velez is an Associate Professor at the Department of Entomology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Her research focuses on insect responses to chemical stressors, particularly RNA interference (RNAi) and Bt toxins for pest management. With a 80% research and 20% teaching appointment, she leads the Insect Toxicology Lab and teaches courses like 'Toxins in the Environment' and 'Insecticide Toxicology.' Education: Ph.D. in Entomology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2013 M.S. in Entomology, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, 2009 B.S. in Biology, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Colombia, 2006 Her research spans molecular, organismal, and population levels to evaluate transgenic crops and RNAi technologies. Key areas include resistance mechanisms, non-target effects, and risk assessment frameworks. She has extensive publications on western corn rootworm and fall armyworm, emphasizing sustainable pest control. Her work also addresses sublethal impacts on non-target species like monarch butterflies and honeybees. Recent articles highlight RNAi delivery optimization, Bt resistance dynamics, and ecological impacts of insecticides. Her lab collaborates on patents for RNAi-based pest suppression methods targeting chromatin remodeling and developmental genes. Scientific Awards Distinguished Multicultural Alumni (2019) DuPont Young Professor Award (2016) International Congress of Entomology Travel Awards (2016) Widaman Trust Distinguished Graduate Assistant (2011) Milton E. Mohr Teaching Fellowship (2012) The Vélez Arango Lab investigates durability and safety of insect control technologies, with emphasis on RNAi and Bt crops. Their work informs integrated pest management (IPM) systems and regulatory frameworks.
Derek J. Taylor is a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University at Buffalo (College of Arts and Sciences), specializing in evolutionary biology and molecular evolution. His research focuses on the evolutionary genetics of aquatic invertebrates, particularly cladocerans (e.g., Daphnia species), and integrates molecular, genomic, and phylogenetic approaches to study speciation, hybridization, species introductions, and paleovirology. He leads the Taylor Lab, which explores topics such as viral evolution in insects and microbats, and the evolutionary history of freshwater crustaceans. Education: PhD in Biology from the University of Guelph, followed by postdoctoral research at the University of Michigan. Research Interests: Molecular evolution of species complexes, host-virus coevolution, phylogeography, and the evolutionary maintenance of viral genes in host genomes. His work bridges genetics, ecology, and systematics to address questions in evolutionary biology. Key contributions include studies on filovirus evolution in bats, the phylogenetics of Daphnia species, and the origins of biodiversity in Holarctic freshwater ecosystems. His lab’s findings have been published in journals like Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , Virus Evolution , and Ecography . Contact: Hochstetter Hall H530, Buffalo, NY | Office Hours: Thursdays 2:00–4:00 PM.
Kerry M. Oliver is a Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Entomology at the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences. Her research focuses on defensive symbiosis, particularly examining how heritable microorganisms protect insects against various biotic and abiotic threats. She leads a research laboratory that takes a multidisciplinary approach to understanding ecological and evolutionary consequences of these symbiotic relationships. Dr. Oliver's research primarily centers on aphids and their symbiotic bacteria, especially Hamiltonella defensa , which protects aphids against parasitoids through bacteriophage-encoded toxins. Her work spans organismal studies, molecular and genomic analyses, and field research to track the impact of defensive symbionts from molecular to ecosystem levels. She's particularly interested in how climate change affects these symbiotic relationships and the eco-evolutionary dynamics that maintain diversity in natural populations. Her laboratory's recent publications reveal trends in understanding how defensive symbionts provide protection against diverse threats including parasitoids, pathogens, and environmental stressors. Current research directions focus on thermal resilience of symbiotic defenses under climate change and the eco-evolutionary dynamics where evolution and ecology operate on similar timescales. This work has significant implications for ecosystem management and species conservation in rapidly changing environments. Current Students: Roy Kukuk, Kenedie Jones, Ben Trendle (PhD), Alina Makarenko (MS) Former Students: Clesson Higashi, Nicole Lynn-Bell, Stephanie Weldon, Adam Martinez, Matt Doremus, Laura Kraft, Hannah Dykstra Courses Taught: ENTO 4000/6000 (General Entomology), First-Year Odyssey seminars on insect evolution and symbiosis Dr. Oliver leads a research team studying defensive symbiosis, with Dr. Vilas Patel serving as Lab Manager and Research Professional. Their work combines laboratory experiments with field studies to investigate how symbionts like Hamiltonella defensa provide protection against parasitoids through phage-encoded toxins, and how these relationships respond to environmental challenges like climate change.
Tom Wenseleers is a Professor at KU Leuven's Department of Biology within the Faculty of Science, where he leads the Laboratory of Socioecology and Social Evolution. His research spans theoretical and experimental approaches to evolutionary biology, with particular focus on social insect systems. Research spans social insects (ants, bees, wasps), microbes, viruses, and human systems Primary model organisms: social insects studying major evolutionary transitions Current projects examine caste determination, chemical communication, and evolutionary conflicts His research integrates theoretical modeling with experimental, behavioral, and comparative studies. Recent work combines genomic techniques and high-throughput GC/MS analysis to decipher chemical communication systems. Current trends show increasing interdisciplinary work spanning virology (SARS-CoV-2 variants), microbial ecology (antibiotic resistance), and robotics (pollinator behavior monitoring). The research demonstrates consistent application of evolutionary theory to diverse biological systems while maintaining social insects as the core model. Wenseleers actively mentors PhD students and postdocs, with recent graduates including Kamiel Debeuckelaere and Viviana Di Pietro. His lab receives substantial funding through multiple concurrent research projects, including Promotor roles on grants examining caste development in bee societies and microbial metabolite screening. The laboratory maintains strong international collaborations across Europe and South America. The lab operates within the Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity Conservation unit at KU Leuven, with physical location at Naamsestraat 59, box 2466, 3000 Leuven. The research group maintains active outreach programs including science workshops for schools and public engagement events focused on insect conservation.
Professor Ronald van Rij holds the position of Professor of Experimental Virology and Head of the Laboratory of Experimental Virology at Radboud University Medical Center in Nijmegen, Netherlands. He also serves as a Guest Professor at the University of Pavia, Italy. His research focuses on antiviral mechanisms in insects, particularly the roles of RNA interference (RNAi) and piRNA pathways in Drosophila melanogaster and Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. He has pioneered studies on viral defense in insects and vector competence, with translational work on antiviral compounds against pathogens like Zika and SARS-CoV-2 through the international 'COVID Moonshot' project. Education includes a PhD from the University of Amsterdam (2002) and postdoctoral fellowships at UCSF (USA) and the Hubrecht Institute (Netherlands). He has received prestigious grants such as ERC Consolidator and VICI awards, and was honored as Lecturer of the Year (2019) and PhD Supervisor of the Year (2017). Awards: ERC Proof of Concept Grant (2020), NWO VICI (2017), ERC Consolidator (2014), NWO VIDI (2008), EMBO Fellowship (2002). Teaching: Coordinates courses on virology, non-coding RNA, and innate immunity at Radboud University. Labs: Manages a BSL-3 facility for studying vector-borne pathogens in mosquitoes. His work bridges basic science and translational medicine, with emphasis on small RNA pathways and arbovirus control.
Dr. Sudeep Bag is an Associate Professor in the Department of Plant Pathology at the University of Georgia, part of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. His primary research focuses on developing management strategies for virus diseases in economically important crops, particularly through interdisciplinary approaches involving genomics and molecular biology. He holds a Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from Washington State University and completed postdoctoral training at the University of California, Davis, and Oregon State University. Dr. Bag's research emphasizes the etiology, epidemiology, and genomics of emerging viral pathogens in vegetable crops, with a focus on understanding host-virus-vector interactions to mitigate disease. His work includes developing genomic tools for managing diseases like spotted wilt virus in peanut and cotton leafroll dwarf virus in cotton. He has secured significant grants from organizations such as the USDA, Georgia Commodity Commissions, and the National Peanut Board to support his research. Key areas of investigation include: Genomic diversity of tospoviruses and other plant viruses Molecular diagnostics for quarantine pathogens Host resistance breeding and gene silencing technologies Ecology of whitefly and aphid vectors Dr. Bag has authored over 90 peer-reviewed publications, including studies in Plant Disease , Viruses , and Journal of General Virology . His work has been recognized with the 2023 Student Career Success Influencer Award for his mentorship of students. Professional roles include: Adjunct Professor at the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka Member of the UGA Graduate Program Faculty in Plant Pathology His lab (UGA-Plant Virology Lab) collaborates actively with industry and governmental agencies to address viral threats to Georgia’s agricultural crops.
Professor James Cook is a Theme Leader for Plants, Animals and Interactions at the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment (HIE) at Western Sydney University. He holds the academic rank of Professor and leads research focused on ecology, evolution, and symbiosis, with particular emphasis on pollination systems and insect ecology. Professor Cook received his BA in Zoology from Oxford University and his PhD in Evolutionary Biology from Imperial College London. His previous academic appointments include positions at La Trobe University, Imperial College London, and the University of Reading. Professor Cook's research interests lie at the intersection of ecology, evolution, and symbiosis , with particular emphasis on pollination systems and insect-microbe interactions . His work spans multiple scales from molecular to ecosystem levels, investigating how species interactions shape biological communities. He is particularly renowned for his expertise in fig-pollinator mutualisms and stingless bee biology . His research integrates field studies, laboratory experiments, and molecular approaches to address fundamental questions in evolutionary ecology while also addressing applied challenges in agricultural pollination and conservation biology . Analysis of Professor Cook's recent publications reveals a strong focus on pollination ecology and insect-microbe symbioses . His work spans both fundamental research on evolutionary processes and applied studies addressing agricultural challenges. A significant portion of his recent work examines stingless bees as potential managed pollinators for Australian horticulture, alongside investigations into alternative pollinators beyond honey bees. His research increasingly incorporates molecular methods to understand microbial communities and their impacts on host biology. There's also a growing emphasis on climate change impacts on pollination systems and the development of resilient pollination strategies for future agricultural systems. Natural Environment Research Council (NERC, UK) College Member (2007-2010) Royal Entomological Society Symbiosis Special Interest Group Convenor (2005-2012) Editorial Board Member, Journal of Evolutionary Biology (2005-2008) NERC Advanced Research Fellow (1998-2003) SERC Research Fellow (1993-1995) Royal 1851 Commission Research Fellow (1991-1993) Australian Entomological Society Conservation Committee Member (2017-present) Invited collaboration with Professor Wan-Jin Liao's group at Beijing Normal University Professor Cook currently leads multiple significant research projects focused on pollination services for Australian horticulture. His grant portfolio includes projects on stingless bee husbandry , alternative pollinators including flies, and pollinator health . He collaborates extensively with researchers across Australia and internationally, with projects spanning from basic research on fig-wasp mutualisms to applied studies on crop pollination. Professor Cook has authored over 70 research articles and six book chapters, demonstrating sustained research productivity throughout his career. Professor Cook's research involves extensive field, laboratory, and glasshouse work, with a strong emphasis on molecular methods. His work connects with collaborators across Australia, India, China, France, the UK, and the USA, creating a robust international research network focused on pollination ecology and insect symbioses. His leadership in the Plants, Animals and Interactions research theme at HIE provides a framework for integrating fundamental ecological research with practical applications for sustainable agriculture and conservation.
Mattia Bacca is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of British Columbia (UBC), affiliated with the School of Biomedical Engineering (SBME) and the Human Interfacing Devices research core. His work bridges mechanical engineering with biomedical applications, focusing on advanced material mechanics and biological systems. Research Interests : Mechanics of materials and nanomaterials Lipid membranes, viruses, and nanoparticle dynamics Mechanobiology and cytoskeletal mechanics Puncture mechanics and soft tissue interaction Design of hydrogels and biomaterials Research Trends : Recent work emphasizes mechanics of soft materials, biomimetic systems (e.g., insect-inspired cutting behaviors), and applications of machine learning in material design. Key contributions include theoretical models for puncture mechanics and viscoelastic characterization of biological tissues. Awards/Grants : No awards explicitly listed in the provided texts. His research is likely supported by grants focused on biomedical engineering and materials science. Labs/Teams : Active in the Human Interfacing Devices core within SBME, collaborating on projects involving bioinspired adhesives, microneedle arrays, and cancer cell mechanics.
Professor Pip Beard is Head of the School of Life Sciences and Professor of Viral Pathology at Keele University. Her research focuses on poxviruses affecting livestock, including lumpy skin disease virus, sheeppox, and goatpox virus. With a veterinary background from the University of Sydney and PhD from the University of Edinburgh, she investigates viral pathogenesis and transmission dynamics. Her research program examines molecular virus-host interactions, insect-borne transmission, and pathological responses to poxvirus infections. Beard has developed improved disease management strategies including resistant crop varieties and pheromone-based monitoring systems. Publications demonstrate consistent focus on viral pathogenesis, disease control strategies, and host immune responses to poxvirus infections. Recent articles emphasize disease surveillance, transmission risks, and therapeutic interventions. Recognition includes Wellcome Trust Fellowship (2004), Speciality Research Medal (2014), and Journal of Comparative Pathology Medal (2018). She leads the DEFEND research consortium and mentors veterinary students through summer research programs.
HACER MURATOĞLU is a Professor at the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics , Karadeniz Technical University . Her research focuses on Microbiology , Virology , and Molecular Biology , particularly the study of entomopoxviruses and iridoviruses. She has contributed significantly to understanding viral protein functions, including protein kinases, glycosyltransferases, and nucleases, with applications in biological control and host-pathogen interactions . Her research spans several subfields: Viral Protein Kinases and Their Substrate Specificity Glycosyltransferase Enzymatic Activities Baculovirus Vector Engineering Bacterial Pathogens in Insect Pests Transcriptome-Based Pathogen Discovery Viral Pathogenesis Mechanisms She has received funding from TUBITAK and Higher Education Institutions for projects such as: Vaccine Development for SARS-CoV-2 Functional Analysis of AMEV Protein Kinases Iridovirus Gene Expression Studies Her work has been peer-reviewed for journals like Turkish Journal of Biology and Turkish Journal of Botany .
Heather J. McAuslane is Professor in the Department of Entomology and Nematology at the University of Florida , where she also serves as Associate Dean in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences . Her research focuses on plant-insect interactions and chemical ecology , particularly for pests affecting Florida’s horticultural and agricultural systems. Academic Rank: Professor University: University of Florida School: College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Department: Entomology and Nematology Department McAuslane’s work addresses insect pest management for species such as Calpodes ethlius (larger canna leafroller), Parasitoids and Predators of oleander caterpillars, and the Bemisia tabaci whitefly vector. She emphasizes biological control , cultural management , and chemical ecology in her publications. Her research often integrates host plant resistance , insect behavior , and sustainable pest control strategies. Her recent articles (2017–2025) span topics including leaf-rolling Lepidoptera , whitefly-transmitted plant viruses , and insect-plant interactions . These works appear in the Featured Creatures series and journals like Florida Entomologist and Environmental Entomology , with keywords such as Entomology , Agricultural Sciences , and Ecology , and sub-fields like Insect Pest Management , Lepidopteran Biology , and Vector-Borne Plant Pathogens . She co-authored the Better Mentorship, Better Student Experience series (2024), highlighting her commitment to academic mentorship . Her publications frequently address practical control methods for pests impacting crops like canna, oleander, and tomato, including parasitism , pathogen-induced mortality , and chemical control .
Matthias Horn is a University Professor at the Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science of the University of Vienna, specializing in microbial symbioses and intracellular bacteria. He leads the Division of Microbial Ecology and investigates symbionts of amoebae, arthropods, and marine organisms, with a focus on genome evolution and host-pathogen interactions. Research Interests: Microbial symbioses (protozoa, insects) Evolution of intracellular bacteria Microbial genome evolution Host-eukaryote interactions Recent Publications explore chlamydiae adaptation, giant virus-host codon mismatches, and symbionts in corals and dinoflagellates. His work is supported by the Austrian Science Fund Cluster of Excellence Microbiomes Drive Planetary Health and previously by the ERC and FWF. Awards: FWF START Award (2005) ERC Starting Grant (2011) Teaching includes courses on molecular microbial ecology, symbiosis, and advanced techniques like FISH. His team comprises postdocs, PhD candidates, and technicians studying microbial interactions.
Dr. Bruce Noden is an Associate Professor in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology at Oklahoma State University, affiliated with the Institute for Biosecurity & Microbial Forensics. His research focuses on medical and veterinary entomology, particularly the detection of human pathogens in insect vectors. He holds a B.S. in Biology from Houghton College (1989) and a Ph.D. in Immunology & Infectious Diseases from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (1995). His work emphasizes tick and mosquito-borne pathogens, including studies on Rickettsia, Ehrlichia, and West Nile virus. Recent projects include investigating how woody plant encroachment alters vector distributions and pathogen transmission dynamics in the Great Plains. He collaborates with colleagues on interdisciplinary projects addressing vector ecology and One Health challenges. Dr. Noden’s publications highlight vector behavior, pathogen detection methods, and the impact of environmental changes on disease ecology. His research spans topics like tick species speciation, mosquito community responses to urbanization, and molecular diagnostics for livestock pathogens. No scientific awards are explicitly mentioned, but his contributions to vector-borne disease research are substantial. He advises no listed students but engages in outreach efforts, including educational materials on ticks and mosquito-borne diseases. His lab is part of a broader network addressing biosecurity and microbial forensics at Oklahoma State.
Frank Stewart is an Associate Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology at Montana State University (MSU), affiliated with the College of Agriculture. His research focuses on aquatic microbiology, symbiosis, and genomics, particularly in marine low-oxygen zones and host-associated microbiomes. Stewart leads the Stewart Lab, which investigates microbial processes in oxygen-deficient environments and coral-algal interactions. Education: B.S. Biology, Middlebury College (2000) M.S. Environmental Science, University of Nevada, Reno (2002) Ph.D. Biology, Harvard University (2008) Research Interests: Dr. Stewart’s work examines microbial ecology in extreme environments such as oxygen minimum zones (OMZs) and coral reefs. Key areas include microbial nitrogen cycling, symbiotic relationships, and the impacts of environmental changes on microbial communities. His lab combines field studies, metagenomics, and meta-omics to understand microbial adaptations and ecosystem functions. Grants & Engagement: Stewart has secured funding from NSF, DOE, and the Simons Foundation for projects on microbial nitrogen dynamics, methane cycling, and coral microbiome resilience. He co-leads the MLOxE REU program, training students in low-oxygen ecosystem microbiology. He also serves as an editor for The ISME Journal and Environmental Microbiology . Labs & Teams: The Stewart Lab at MSU collaborates with institutions like Georgia Tech and the Marine Megafauna Foundation. Current projects include studying microbial roles in coral health, ocean deoxygenation impacts, and viral dynamics in OMZs.
Charlie Cornwallis is a Professor in the Molecular Ecology and Evolution Lab at Lund University. His research focuses on evolutionary transitions, particularly the emergence and maintenance of complex life forms such as multicellularity, cooperative societies, and symbiotic relationships. Key areas include understanding why transitions occur, how complex systems persist, and factors causing their breakdown. Cornwallis employs experimental and phylogenetic methods, studying systems like cooperative breeding birds (ostriches) and green algae (Volvox/Chlamydomonas). Affiliations: Molecular Ecology and Evolution Lab, Swedish Research Council-funded projects Education: Not explicitly stated in text Research interests span cooperative behavior, thermal adaptation, disease dynamics, and genomic innovations enabling evolutionary transitions. Recent work addresses how fluctuating environments influence cooperation, pathogen-driven breakdown of sociality, and molecular mechanisms underlying cancer resilience via polyploidization. Cornwallis leads projects on ostrich thermal physiology, gut microbiota development, and symbiont-driven ecological diversification. His lab has produced 65+ publications, with notable contributions to Trends in Ecology and Evolution , Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences , and Cancer Research Communications . Current projects include studying multicellular origins, temperature adaptation in endotherms, and evolutionary plasticity. Grants: Swedish Research Council (2023-2027), multiple international collaborations Labs/Teams: Cornwallis Group focuses on four themes: Cooperation, Evolutionary Innovation, Disease, and Sex
