Meet the lab
Dr. Ricardo Ramirez
Associate Professor and Entomologist
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.
Associate 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.
Dr. Lori Spears
Professional Practice Associate Professor-Invasive Species Survey Coordinator
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.
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.
Dr. Cody Barnes
Post-doctoral Research Associate
Cody is studying the effects of drought on spider mite outbreaks on corn. He is interested in ways drought tolerant corn hybrids and water-efficient irrigation practices may alleviate outbreaks of the generalist two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) and the specialist Banks grass mite (Oligonychus pratensis).
Post-doctoral Research Associate
- PhD: Oklahoma State University, Integrative Biology
Cody is studying the effects of drought on spider mite outbreaks on corn. He is interested in ways drought tolerant corn hybrids and water-efficient irrigation practices may alleviate outbreaks of the generalist two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) and the specialist Banks grass mite (Oligonychus pratensis).
Morgan (Mo) Christman
PhD Student
Morgan is studying how pollinator and predator communities are affected by agricultural landscapes. Her work focuses on landscape structure surrounding alfalfa and corn production fields throughout Utah highlighting effects on various bee species, including Bombus, and lady beetles.
PhD Student
- BS & BA: Denison University, Biology & Environmental Studies (2017)
Morgan is studying how pollinator and predator communities are affected by agricultural landscapes. Her work focuses on landscape structure surrounding alfalfa and corn production fields throughout Utah highlighting effects on various bee species, including Bombus, and lady beetles.
Lauren Gates
MS Student
Lauren is investigating arthropod pests of hemp. She is specifically interested in screening hemp cultivars for resistance to arthropod herbivores and how herbivory and abiotic stress may impact CBD and THC levels in hemp.
MS Student
- BS: Mount St. Joseph University, Biology (2019)
Lauren is investigating arthropod pests of hemp. She is specifically interested in screening hemp cultivars for resistance to arthropod herbivores and how herbivory and abiotic stress may impact CBD and THC levels in hemp.
Rose Sepesy
MS Student (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.
MS 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.
Desireè Wickwar
MS Student
Desireè is investigating billbugs (Sphenophorus spp.), a major pest of turfgrass, and their management in the Intermountain West. Currently, she is evaluating the effects of predator cues on billbug behavior. She is also testing the attraction and susceptibility of water-stressed turf to billbugs.
MS Student
- BS: Westminster College, Biology (2017)
Desireè is investigating billbugs (Sphenophorus spp.), a major pest of turfgrass, and their management in the Intermountain West. Currently, she is evaluating the effects of predator cues on billbug behavior. She is also testing the attraction and susceptibility of water-stressed turf to billbugs.
Undergraduate Students
- Bailey Crowley (Biology)
- Kami Lay (Bio Eng)
- Alex Ollerton (Business-Huntsman grad program)
- Kai Phillips (Biology)
- Soli Velez
- Cory Watts (Biochem)
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Lab Alum
Dr. Gunbharpur (Gunn) Gill
PhD Biology, Utah State University (2016-2020)
Current Position: Post-doctoral research associate, Clemson University, Entomology
PhD Biology, Utah State University (2016-2020)
Current Position: Post-doctoral research associate, Clemson University, Entomology
Kaitlin Rim
MS Biology, Utah State University (2017-2020)
MS Biology, Utah State University (2017-2020)
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: Columbia Basin College, Assistant Professor of Biology
PhD Biology/Ecology, Utah State University (2013-2018)
Current Position: Columbia Basin College, Assistant Professor of Biology
Dr. Alice Ruckert
PhD Biology/Ecology, Utah State University (2012-2017)
Current Position: Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, Research Entomologist
PhD Biology/Ecology, Utah State University (2012-2017)
Current Position: Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, Research 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)
Current Position: Wildlife International, Senior Biologist
USU CAPS coordinator (2010-2013)
Current Position: Wildlife International, Senior Biologist
Erica Stephens
MS Student (2011-2015)
MS Student (2011-2015)
