Kathryn Weglarz

Kathryn Weglarz is a faculty member in the Biology Department at Westfield State University, joining in 2020. She teaches courses such as Environmental Biology for non-majors, General Biology II Lab, and Parasitology.

• BS - Colorado State University
• MS - University of Delaware
• PhD - Utah State University

Her research focuses on evolutionary ecology, symbiosis, and entomology. She investigates molecular to ecosystem-level interactions, particularly in adelgids and their symbionts, and applies phylogenetics to conservation prioritization. Her work integrates molecular techniques, computational analysis, and field studies.

Kathryn’s recent publications highlight trends in insect genomics, symbiotic relationships, and conservation applications. She explores topics like genome degradation patterns in endosymbionts, phylogenetic diversity in aquatic ecosystems, and phenological responses to climate change.

• Partnering with a pest: genomes of hemlock woolly adelgid symbionts reveal atypical nutritional provisioning patterns in dual-obligate bacteria (2018)
• Multiple origins and genome degradation in adelgid symbionts (2022)
• Phylogenetic diversity in aquatic macroinvertebrate conservation (2019)

She employs molecular, computational, and field-based methods, with expertise in insect systematics, genomic analysis, and ecological conservation.