Meet the lab
Dr. Ricardo Ramirez
Professor and Department Head
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.
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.
Luis Ochoa-Cadena
PhD Student (New Mexico State University, Plant & Environmental Sciences)
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.
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.
Mercy Odemba
PhD Student (Utah State University, Biology)
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.
PhD Student (Utah State University, Biology)
- 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.
Rose Sepesy
PhD Student (Utah State University, Biology; co-advised with Dr. Scott Bernhardt)
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.
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.
Undergraduate Students
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Lab Alum
Dr. Lori Spears
Professional Practice Associate Professor-Invasive Species Survey Coordinator (2013-2023)
Current Position: USDA-APHIS Marketing and Regulatory Programs
Professional Practice Associate Professor-Invasive Species Survey Coordinator (2013-2023)
Current Position: USDA-APHIS Marketing and Regulatory Programs
Dr. Morgan (Mo) Christman
PhD Biology/Ecology, Utah State University (2017-2022)
Current Position: Ohio State University, Dept of Entomology, Post-doctoral researcher
PhD Biology/Ecology, Utah State University (2017-2022)
Current Position: Ohio State University, Dept of Entomology, Post-doctoral researcher
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
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
Dr. Cody Barnes
Post-doctoral research associate (2020-2022)
Current Position: US Army Corps of Engineers, Regulatory Project Manager
Post-doctoral research associate (2020-2022)
Current Position: US Army Corps of Engineers, Regulatory Project Manager
Desireé Wickwar
MS Biology/Ecology, Utah State University (2018-2021)
Current Position: University of Idaho, Integrated Pest Management Program Manager
MS Biology/Ecology, Utah State University (2018-2021)
Current Position: University of Idaho, Integrated Pest Management Program Manager
Dr. Gunbharpur (Gunn) Gill
PhD Biology, Utah State University (2016-2020)
Current Position: Iron Ox, Integrated Pest Management Specialist
PhD Biology, Utah State University (2016-2020)
Current Position: Iron Ox, Integrated Pest Management Specialist
Kaitlin Rim
MS Biology, Utah State University (2017-2020)
Current Position: Joyn-Bio, Field Scientist
MS Biology, Utah State University (2017-2020)
Current Position: Joyn-Bio, Field Scientist
Dr. Julian Golec
Post-doctoral research associate (2019)
Current Position: Corteva Agriscience, Field Research Scientist
Post-doctoral research associate (2019)
Current Position: Corteva Agriscience, Field Research Scientist
Dr. Madeleine Dupuy
PhD Biology/Ecology, Utah State University (2013-2018)
Current Position: Skagit Valley College, Assistant Professor of Biology
PhD Biology/Ecology, Utah State University (2013-2018)
Current Position: Skagit Valley College, Assistant Professor of Biology
Dr. Alice Ruckert-Axtell
PhD Biology/Ecology, Utah State University (2012-2017)
Current Position: IR-4 Program (North Carolina State University), Entomologist
PhD Biology/Ecology, Utah State University (2012-2017)
Current Position: IR-4 Program (North Carolina State University), Entomologist
Steve Price
MS Biology, Utah State University (2014-2017)
Current Position: Utah State University Extension, Extension Assistant Professor (Carbon County)
MS Biology, Utah State University (2014-2017)
Current Position: Utah State University Extension, Extension Assistant Professor (Carbon County)
Houston Judd
MS Biology, Utah State University (2014-2017; co-advised with Dr. Jamie Strange, USDA-ARS)
MS Biology, Utah State University (2014-2017; co-advised with Dr. Jamie Strange, USDA-ARS)
Andi Kopit
MS Student (2014-2017; co-advised with Dr. Theresa Pitts-Singer, USDA-ARS)
MS Student (2014-2017; co-advised with Dr. Theresa Pitts-Singer, USDA-ARS)
Dr. Cory Stanley-Stahr
USU CAPS coordinator (2010-2013)
USU CAPS coordinator (2010-2013)
