معرفی
Dr. Leigh Boardman is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Memphis. Her research focuses on the evolutionary and physiological ecology of arthropods, particularly stress tolerance mechanisms in multi-stress environments and their implications for climate change and invasive species management. She teaches courses including Extreme Biology (BIOL4098/6098) and the Ecology section of General Biology II (BIOL1120).
Education:
- B.Sc. Human Life Sciences
- B.Med.Sci (Hons) Human Genetics
- Ph.D. in Entomology (Stellenbosch University)
- Postdoctoral research at Stellenbosch University and University of Florida
Research Interests:
- Mechanisms of stress tolerance in arthropods
- Invasion biology and pest management
- Environmental stress interactions (temperature, oxygen, water)
- Applications of eDNA in ecological monitoring
Recent Research Trends:
Her recent work emphasizes eDNA-based monitoring for invasive species detection, such as the yellow-legged hornet, and explores cross-stress tolerance in insects. She also investigates how climate change impacts arthropod survival in multi-stress environments, with applications to biosecurity and chemical-free pest control strategies.
Grants & Advising:
- USDA-NIFA grant for eDNA research
- West Tennessee River Basin Authority grant for stream restoration
- TDOT-funded pollinator habitat project
- Mentoring graduate students Mitchell Adkins, Kimberly Baldwin, and Wesley Rhinehart
Lab Activities:
The Boardman Lab hosts annual conferences like the Tennessee Entomological Society meeting and collaborates with institutions such as the University of Florida’s Honey Bee Research Lab. Current projects include studies on kudzu bug cold tolerance and beetle stress responses in urban gardens.
