Meet the lab

Dr. Ricardo Ramirez
Professor and Entomologist

• Post-Doc: Texas A&M University, Entomology
• PhD: Washington State University, Entomology
• BS & MS: New Mexico State University, Entomology, Plant Path, and Weed Science

Dr. Ramirez began his entomological career by evaluating the effects of arid environments and decapitating flies on competition between native and imported fire ants in New Mexico. He then examined the effect of predator and entomopathogen diversity on the suppression of Colorado potato beetle in potato crops. This was followed by examining the indirect effects of aphid herbivory on caterpillar herbivory through predator recruitment and elevated plant defenses in cotton.  See the current work from his team below.

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Dr. Lori Spears
Professional Practice Associate Professor-Invasive Species Survey Coordinator

• PhD: Utah State University, Ecology
• BS: Weber State University, Anthropology

Dr. Spears conducts invasive species surveys throughout Utah. She focuses her research on invasive species dynamics including the spread and host use of brown marmorated stink bug (Haylomorpha halys), factors affecting spotted wing drosophila abundance in the Intermountain West, and evaluating arthropod communities in an agricultural landscape using by-catch. 

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Mercy Odemba
PhD Student

• MS & BS: Egerton University (Kenya), Plant Breeding (2018)

Mercy is investigating weed competition by redroot pigweed, lambsquarter's, and green foxtail in corn. She is specifically interested in evaluating how drought-tolerant crop technologies and water-stress affect corn competition with weeds. Mercy is also examining the link between weeds and spider mite outbreaks in corn.   

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Rose Sepesy
PhD Student​ (co-advised with Dr. Scott Bernhardt)

• BS: Ashland University, Environmental Science and Biology (2015)

Rose​ is constructing insecticide susceptibility curves for populations of alfalfa pests, namely alfalfa weevil and lygus bugs, and beneficials including alfalfa leaf cutter bees. She is using bottle assays and plant residue tests to evaluate several modes of action used in alfalfa. 


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Undergraduate Students

• Current
• Past

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• Andrew Bailey
• Clark Riddle​

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• Emily Burgett (Bio Engineering)
• Carson Chew (Ag Econ)
• Erica Christensen (Pre-Med)
• Joe Clarine (Plant Sciences)
• Rose Clarke (Biology)
• Bailey Crowley (Biology)
• Hannah Domgaard (Biology)
• Amairany Duran (Logan High School)
• Jordan Frank (Biology)
• Landon Frost (Biology)
• Jonny Gonzalez (Biology)
• Saul Gonzalez (Biochemistry)
• Tyler Hatch (Biology)
• Laurel Hendricksen
• Justin Hicken (Natural Resources)
• Patrick Huffcut (Conservation Ecology)
• Kami Lay (Bio Eng)
• Samantha Lebaron (Natural Resources)
• Popi Ledbetter (Biology)
• Raul Lira (Rangeland Resources)
• Alejandro Lucero (Natural Resources)
• Zoe Meyer (ADVS)
• Andrew Nielson (Biology)
• Kimberly Palmer (Natural Resources)
• Nohe'A Pauni (Biology)
• Brittney Peatross (Natural Resources)​

• Nicole Pena (Biology)
• Kai Phillips (Biology)
• Alan Ochoa (Natural Resources)
• Alex Ollerton (Huntsman Business School grad program)
• Daphne Rodriguez (Biology)
• Cole Rowan (Biology)
• Jacob Rudd (Ag Business)
• Vanessa Soto (Wildland Ecology/Spanish)
• ​Ben Steadman (Biology)
• Rebecca Strong (Public Health)
• Soli Velez (Natural Resources)
• Sara Vivas (Biology)
• Cory Watts (Chemistry)
• Levi Wilkes (Biology)
• Lindsay Wilson (Conservation Ecology)
• Matilda Wilson (Biology)
• Liz Winters (Natural Resources)
• James Wirth (Conservation Ecology)
• KC Wolbaum (Biology)
• Corey Wright (Biochemistry)
• Forrest Young (Biology)
• Alison Bleich (Biology, Missouri State Univ.)
• Gaurav Dhiman (Biology, George Washington Univ.)

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Lab Alum

​                     Dr. Morgan (Mo) Christman
                       PhD Biology/Ecology, Utah State University (2017-2022)
                       Current Position: Ohio State University, Dept of Entomology, Post-doctoral researcher 

                       

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​                    Alan Anderson
                       MS Biology, Utah State University (2017-2022; co-advised with Dr. Theresa Pitts-Singer, USDA-ARS)
                       Current Position:  Utah State University, Animal, Dairy, Vet Sciences, Research Technician

                       

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​                     Dr. Cody Barnes
                       Post-doctoral research associate (2020-2022)
                       Current Position:  Western EcoSystems Technology Inc., Environmental and Statistical Consultant

                       

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​                    Desireé Wickwar
                       MS Biology/Ecology, Utah State University (2018-2021)
                       Current Position: University of Idaho, Integrated Pest Management Program Manager 

                       

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​                     Dr. Gunbharpur (Gunn) Gill
                       PhD Biology, Utah State University (2016-2020)
                       Current Position: Iron Ox, Integrated Pest Management Specialist 

                       

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​                     Kaitlin Rim
                       MS Biology, Utah State University (2017-2020)
                       Current Position: Joyn-Bio, Field Scientist

                       

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​                    Dr. Julian Golec
                       Post-doctoral research associate (2019)
                       Current Position: Corteva Agriscience, Field Research Scientist

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​                     Dr. Madeleine Dupuy
                        PhD Biology/Ecology, Utah State University (2013-2018)
                        Current Position: Columbia Basin College, Assistant Professor of Biology

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                     Dr. Alice Ruckert-Axtell
                        PhD Biology/Ecology, Utah State University (2012-2017)
                        Current Position: IR-4 Program (North Carolina State University), Entomologist

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Steve Price
MS Biology, Utah State University (2014-2017)
Current Position: Utah State University Extension, Extension Assistant Professor (Carbon County)

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Houston Judd
MS Biology, Utah State University (2014-2017; co-advised with Dr. Jamie Strange, USDA-ARS)

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Andi Kopit
MS Student (2014-2017; co-advised with Dr. Theresa Pitts-Singer, USDA-ARS)

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Dr. Cory Stanley-Stahr
USU CAPS coordinator (2010-2013)

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