Meet the lab

Dr. Ricardo Ramirez
Professor and Department Head

• Professor and Extension Specialist: Utah State University, Biology (adjunct)
• 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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Evangelina Carabotta
MS Student (New Mexico State University, Agricultural Biology)

• BS: New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Biology (2021)

Eva is interested in the landscape and environmental factors impacting natural enemies in the alfalfa system. She will investigate predator diversity and impacts of semi-arid environments on biological control of alfalfa weevil and aphids.      

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Joseph Montoya
PhD Student (New Mexico State University, Plant & Environmental Sciences)

• BS & MS: University of Arizona, Entomology (2023)

Joseph is interested in the factors leading to biological control success in the pecan system. He is specifically interested in entomopathogens and their interactions with natural enemies to suppress lepidopterans and aphids.     

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Luis Ochoa-Cadena
PhD Student (New Mexico State University, Plant & Environmental Sciences)

• MS: University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Entomology (2023)
• BS: Zamorano University, Agricultural Sciences and Production (2017)

Luis is investigating the impact of insecticides on predator phenology and diversity in alfalfa. He is specifically interested in evaluating how abiotic factors impact herbivore suppression of alfalfa weevil and aphids by natural enemies.    

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Rose Sepesy
PhD Student​ (Utah State University, Biology; 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 (Utah State)

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Diego de Santiago (Electrical Engineering)
Jesus Martinez (Environmental Science)
Estephania Garcia (Agricultural Biology)
Francisco Montano 
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• Andrew Bailey (Plant Soil Climate)
• Emily Burgett (Bio Engineering)
• Natalie Butikofer
• Carson Chew (Ag Econ)
• Erica Christensen (Pre-Med)
• Joe Clarine (Plant Sciences)
• Rose Clarke (Biology)
• Addison Concidine (Plant Soil Climate)
• 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)
• Charlotte Jacketta (Biology)
• Eric Jenkins (Biology)
• Kami Lay (Bio Eng)
• Carter Lybeck
• 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)
• Clark Riddle (Plant Soil Climate)
• 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. Mercy Odemba
PhD Biology, Utah State University (2020-2024)   

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Dr. Lori Spears
Professional Practice Associate Professor-Invasive Species Survey Coordinator (2013-2023)
Current Position: USDA-APHIS Marketing and Regulatory Programs 

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​                     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:  US Army Corps of Engineers, Regulatory Project Manager

                       

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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: Skagit Valley 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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