My interests lie around the following 3 themes in ecology and entomology: 1) Community ecology and predator-prey interactions I study establishment and dispersal behavior of arthropod natural enemies and herbivores. The accidental introduction of samurai wasp, an Asian egg parasitoid of the invasive Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, to the Western USA creates the opportunity to identify how climate and non-target hosts will affect its success as a biocontrol agent. I am also interested in community-level interactions in arthropod food webs and the application of pest populations to inform decisions regarding integrated pest management. I previously worked with community gardeners and commercial urban farmers in the Chicago, IL region to identify insect natural enemies of cabbageworms. While in UW-Madison's vegetable entomology lab, I managed field projects involving herbivores of potato, snap bean, and ginseng.
Samurai wasp (1.5 mm long) alongside Brown Marmorated Stink Bug eggs
Kale leaf damaged by cabbageworms
2) Pollination ecology I study how landscape-level factors and competition from local resources affect pollinator communities and their visitation patterns to wildflowers and crops. I studied wild pollinators of pickling cucumber in Central Wisconsin and plant-pollinator networks in residential neighborhood gardens. My PhD research investigated the influence of ecological and socioeconomic characteristics on pollinators and pollination services between neighborhoods. I remain interested to determine the factors that influence bee visits to co-occurring floral patches.
Honey bee visiting cucumber
Collecting bees from pan traps
3) Urban ecology As a native of the Bronx, a densely populated borough of New York City, I retain an interest in exploring how human activity affects biological communities and ecological processes. My research has included qualitative data to better identify how diverse perspectives on management of private spaces affect pest outbreaks and biological communities. I have studied predator-prey interactions in urban agriculture and aquatic invertebrates as water quality indicators in highly urbanized waterways. Outside of research, I enjoy outreach opportunities that connect urban residents with their native surroundings. Urban ecology projects can inform public agencies and private stakeholders on best practices to enhance terrestrial and aquatic habitat for arthropods and their ecosystem services.
Community gardens are an important resource for food security in low income areas
Urban farms provide green oases in cities and offer economic and public health benefits