Our Graduate Students

My research focuses on potato cyst nematode (PCN), Globodera pallida, as a quarantine pest in U.S. One of the most effective control measures is the use of resistant potato varieties. Continuous use of resistant varieties leads to erosion of resistance. The aim of this project is to identify the behavior, fitness and aggressiveness of progeny PCN from resistant host on susceptible host as well as the life-history traits in this transition.

• Major professor: Louise-Marie Dandurand, Ph.D.
• M.S., University of Idaho, 2013

I am researching pestiferous and beneficial insects in canola. I will be documenting insect pest pressure on Pacific Northwest canola crops and developing action thresholds and also assessing the varietal preference of flea beetles (a preferred variety can be used as a trap crop for future research).

• My professor: Subodh Adhikari, Ph.D.
• B.S., Kwamne Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, 2022
• Hometown: Kwahu Obo- Eastern Region, Ghana

My research focuses on how biogenic amines influence malaria parasite transmission to mammalian hosts and the function they play in regulating the growth of the malaria parasite in the Anopheline mosquito.

• Major professor: Shirley Luckhart, Ph.D.
• MPhil., University of Ghana
• B.Sc., University of Ghana, 2018
• Hometown: Ghana, West Africa

Globodera species are one of the most damaging plant-parasitic nematodes. My research project focuses on the diversity of Globodera species from South America.

• My major professor: Louise-Marie Dandurand, Ph.D.
• M.S., Plant pathology, University of Idaho
• Hometown: Dhangadhi, Nepal

My research focuses on an emerging lepidopteran pest which is associated with top-down kill in Western Larch.

• Major professor: Stephen Cook, Ph.D.
• B.S. in Biological Sciences, Grinnell College
• Hometown: Bend, Oregon

My research focuses on understanding the diversity and evolution of tarantulas inhabiting the Madrean Archipelago in the U.S. and México.

• Major professor: Chris Hamilton, Ph.D.
• B.S. Chemistry emphasis Biochemistry, San Diego State University
• Hometown: San Diego, California

I study spider evolution, specifically how changing landscapes influence diversity. I work with folding-door spiders (Antrodiaetus spp.) here locally in the Pacific Norwest as well as the Madrean Sky Islands in the southwest. My project covers phylogenetics/systematics, species delimitation and biogeography within this taxonomic system.

• Major professor: Chris Hamilton, Ph.D.
• M.S., San Diego State University, 2018
• B.S., San Diego State University, 2014
• Hometown: San Diego, California

My research focuses on the establishment and impact of Ramularia crupinae, a classical biological agent of the invasive plant Crupina vulgaris in the field and in common garden experiments.

• Major professor: Mark Schwarzlaender, Ph.D.
• B.Sc. Agriculture, Purbanchal University, Nepal
• Hometown: Kathmandu, Nepal

I am working on plant-insect associations in Palouse prairie wildflower communities. The Palouse prairie is a local native prairie in western Idaho and eastern Washington that has been severely fragmented. It has a unique wildflower community, and many of the associations of insects with these wildflowers have not been studied. My project involves capturing these insects on the flowers and describing the communities that exist. There is an incredible diversity.

• My professor is Steve Cook, Ph.D.
• B.S. Biology, University of Kentucky

I work with Globodera pallida, the pale cyst nematode (PCN), which is a quarantined pest of potato in Idaho. My research investigates the potential of different trap crops and crop rotations for use in PCN eradication efforts. I also hope to model PCN impact on susceptible and partially resistant potato varieties.

• Major professor: Louise-Marie Dandurand, Ph.D.
• M.S., horticulture, University of Arkansas, 2019
• B.S., environmental science, Allegheny College, 2017
• Hometown: Cedarville, New Jersey

My research focuses on Grapevine Trunk Diseases (GTD) and other fungal pathogens affecting vineyard health and vine longevity in Idaho.

• Major professor: James Woodhall, Ph.D.
• B.S., Cornell University, 2019
• Hometown: Canandaigua, New York

My research focuses on the interactions between invasive Cynoglossum officinale (houndstongue) and its biocontrol agent Mogulones crucifer (root mining weevil). Specifically, I am investigating the effects of M. crucifer feeding on C. officinale’s flowering size in the field in the Idaho Panhandle and on nontarget selection behavior of M. crucifer in cage experiments.

• Major professor: Mark Schwarzläender, Ph.D.
• B.S. Biology, The College of William & Mary
• Hometown: Maytown, Pennsylvania

I’m taking a modern systematics approach to establish hypotheses about the generation and maintenance of biodiversity of mygalomorph spiders, with a focus on Euagrus Ausserer, 1875 inhabiting the Madrean Archipelago in the U.S. and México.

• My professor is Chris Hamilton, Ph.D.
• M.S. Tropical Areas Biodiversity, UIMP-CSIC (2018-2020)
• B.S. Biology, University of Valencia (2014-2018)
• Hometown: Daimús, Valencia, Spain

My research focuses on the pollinators of huckleberry as well as the different effects that biochar has on plant chemistry, pollinator preference and soil chemistry on and around huckleberry.

• Major professor: Stephen Cook, Ph.D.
• B.S., Wichita State University, 2020
• Hometown: Overbrook, Kansas

Research explores interactions between cover crops and arthropod populations, focusing on their influence on pest management, crop health, and yield in potato and sugar beet systems. The goal is to optimize sustainable farming practices within the framework of Climate Smart Agriculture.

• Major professor: Erik Wenninger, Ph.D.
• M.Sc., Entomology, Kenyatta University
• B.Sc., Agriculture and Biotechnology, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST)
• Hometown: Nairobi, Kenya

My research is focused on plant-mediated interactions between two generalists pests; the plant parasitic nematode Meloidogyne incognita and the Two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae, both share the same plant but are separated by very different feeding spots. I’m studying plant-mediated effects on the behavior and performance of each herbivore. I hope that my project will provide insights into how a below-ground herbivore can have an impact on an above-ground one.

• Major professor is: Edwin Lewis, Ph.D.
• B.S Agronomy, Universidad Viña del Mar, Chile
• My hometown. Quillota, Chile

My research focuses on the post-release success of the biological control agent Ceratapion basicorne on its host Centaurea solstitialis, or yellow star thistle. I hope to look at the relationships between Crupina vulgaris and another noxious weed Centaura solstitialis, since the two occupy the same environment, often out competing the other. I am also looking into how climate change may impact post-release assessments of biological control agents across Idaho and the western United States using dynamic population models.

• Major professor: Mark Schwarzlaender, Ph.D.
• B.S., SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
• Hometown: North Kingstown, Rhode Island

My research projects are to determine the genetic diversity of Globodera species from South America and to elucidate the impact of bioactive compounds from Solanum sisymbriifolium on Globodera pallida which is a quarantine pest of potato in Idaho.

• Major professor: Louise-Marie Dandurand, Ph.D.
• B.S. in Biology; Masters in Cultural and Environmental Resource Management
• Hometown: Edgewood, Washington

My research focuses on the effect of virus infection on alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) yield and quality and the role of insect vectors in SRAV (Snake River Alfalfa Virus) transmission under controlled greenhouse conditions.

• Major professor: Erik Wenninger, Ph.D.
• B.Sc. Agriculture, Agriculture and Forestry University, Nepal
• Hometown: Chitwan, Nepal

My research focuses on understanding the host specificity and assessing the prerelease impact of seed feeding weevil Mogulones borraginis, a biological control agent of invasive plant Cynoglossum officinale. Host specificity of the weevil is conducted using olfactory and visual cues of plant species. My research will help to understand the role of chemical ecology on host selection behavior of biological control agents.

• Major professor: Mark Schwarzlaender, Ph.D.
• B.S., Agriculture, Tribhuvan University
• Hometown: Butwal, Nepal

My research focuses on foliar, and soil borne pathogens of Beta vulgaris (sugar beet). The main focal point of my research is on Cercospora beticola the causal agent of Cercospora leaf spot which is known to be the most destructive foliar pathogen to sugar beets in the world.

• Major professor: James Woodhall, Ph.D.
• B.S., The College of Idaho, 2022
• Hometown: Genesee, Idaho

My research focuses on Potato virus Y (PVY) management and ecology. I am investigating the efficacy of crop oils and mature plant resistance for PVY management in the Pacific Northwest, as well as examining aphid vector behavior and its influence on PVY spread. My research will help potato growers in the region make economically and environmentally friendly decisions with regards to PVY management.

• Major professor: Erik Wenninger, Ph.D.
• M.S., Entomology, Purdue University
• B.S., Forensic Science, Loyola University Chicago
• Hometown: South Bend, Indiana