Biological Scientist III
Small Fruit and Vegetable IPM Laboratory
Department of Entomology and Nematology, Nov. 2017 to present
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.
Project titles: 1) Insect and mite management in organic strawberry production in Florida. Nov 2017 - present. 2) Furthering the development and implementation of systems-based organic management strategies for spotted-wing drosophila. Jan. 2019 - present.
Other duties: To take the lead on projects not currently assigned to a graduate student. These include efficacy trials in various crops against various pests, monitoring and management of blueberry borer and other pests in blueberries, and monitoring and management of grapevine aphid. Also, to produce peer-reviewed and extension publications, write grants to secure funding for laboratory projects, present research findings at local and national meetings, and assist with the maintenance of greenhouses and field plots.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Small Fruit and Vegetable IPM Laboratory
Department of Entomology and Nematology, Nov. 2011 to Nov. 2017
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.
Project titles: 1) Development of organically acceptable tactics for managing Yellowmargined leaf beetle (Microtheca ochroloma) on organic crucifers including attractants, trap crops, and biological control. Nov. 2011 - May 2016. 2) Insect and mite management in organic strawberry production in Florida. May 2016-Nov 2017
Other duties: To take the lead on projects not currently assigned to a graduate student. These include efficacy trials in various crops against various pests, monitoring and management of blueberry gall midge in blueberries, and various spotted wing drosophila projects. Previous projects included management of yellowmargined leaf beetle in organic cruciferous crops and stinkbug feeding in blackberries. Also, to produce peer-reviewed and extension publications, write grants to secure funding for laboratory projects, present research findings at local and national meetings, and assist with the maintenance of greenhouses and field plots.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
North Florida Research and Education Center, Nov. 2010 - Nov. 2011
Quincy, FL.
Project Title: Methods for control of the Redbay Ambrosia Beetle, Xyleborus glabratus Eichhoff, in the Southeastern United States.
Research Assistant
Small Fruit and Vegetable IPM Laboratory
Department of Entomology and Nematology, Aug. 2010 to Nov. 2010
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.
Duties: To produce peer reviewd publications from my Ph.D. research, write grants for the Small Fruit IPM Laboratory, and assist the other graduate students and the biological scientist with their projects and with care and maintenance of greenhouse and field plants and space.
Graduate Research Fellow
Small Fruit and Vegetable IPM Laboratory
Department of Entomology and Nematology, Aug. 2007 to Aug. 2010
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.
Project Title: The ecology and control of flower thrips in southern highbush blueberries in Florida
Other duties: To assist the other graduate students and the biological scientist with their projects and with care and maintenance of greenhouse and field plants and space.
Graduate Research Assistant
Small Fruit and Vegetable IPM Laboratory
Department of Entomology and Nematology, Aug. 2006 to Aug. 2007
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.
Project Title: The ecology and control of flower thrips in southern highbush blueberries in Florida
Other duties: To assist the other graduate students and the biological scientist with their projects and with care and maintenance of greenhouse and field plants and space.
Research Assistant
Small Fruit and Vegetable IPM Laboratory
Department of Entomology and Nematology, Aug. 2005 to Aug. 2006
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.
Project Title: The residual and direct effects of reduced-risk and conventional miticides on twospotted spider mites Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) and predatory mites (Acari: Phytoseiidae)
Other duties: To assist the graduate students and the biological scientist with their projects and with care and maintenance of greenhouse and field plants and space.
Graduate Research Assistant
Small Fruit and Vegetable IPM Laboratory
Department of Entomology and Nematology, Aug. 2003 to Aug. 2005
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.
Project Title: Controlling twospotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch) in Florida strawberries with single and combination treatments of Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot, Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor), and Acramite
Other duties: To assist the other graduate students and the biological scientist with their projects and with care and maintenance of greenhouse and field plants and space.
Internship
Invertebrate Laboratory, Archbold Biological Station, Aug. to Dec. 2002
Lake Placid, FL.
Project title: The effects of depth, pH, depth of light penetration, and area on backswimmer (Hemiptera: Notonectidae) distribution in seasonal ponds of the Florida scrub
Other duties: To assist with other projects going on in the laboratory.
Internship
Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Jan. 2002
Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.
Project Title: Study of Neutrophils.
Independent Study Project
New College of Florida, Jan. 2001.
Sarasota, FL.
Project Title: Organic Gardening with Emphasis on Organic Pest Control
Independent Study Project
New College of Florida, Jan. 2000.
Sarasota, FL.
Project Title: The Gastropods of Sarasota Bay
Internship
The University of Miami Experimental Hatchery, Sept. 1998 to May 1999
University of Miami, Miami, FL.
Project Title: The Life Cycle of Aplysia californica
Other duties: To help with other research projects being conducted.