Rob Williams

Grad Student Receives Top Prize for Presentation at Ecological Integration Symposium

April 15, 2019 by Rob Williams

Congratulations to Ph.D. student Crys Wright on receiving first place for her talk at the Ecological Integration Symposium that was held at Rudder Tower on April 5-6.

Advised by Dr. Raul Medina, Wright tied with Raven Blakeway for first place in the Graduate Student Oral Presentation section. Wright’s presentation was titled “Fecundity Compensation: Possible in the Sugarcane Aphid?”

Medina was very proud of Wright and her award.

“I was thrilled, yet not surprised to learn Crys got first place for her EIS talk,” Medina said. “Crys is really good at generating interesting questions, designing the experiments to answer them and presenting her ideas to the public.”

Medina also added that Wright’s outstanding presentation style helped her to achieve the award.

Her clarity and creativity makes interacting with her a real pleasure. I am convinced Crys will be a leader in our field,” Medina said. “I am so glad others saw in her presentation what I see every time I hear her scientific ideas and insights.”

Annual Insect Identification Clinic Helps Prepare FFA, 4H Members for Contests

April 8, 2019 by Rob Williams

Participants got the chance to see insects up close and personal in five rooms during the clinic. Photo by Rob Williams.

Students in the Department of Entomology were on hand to help the youth that are involved in statewide FFA and 4-H clubs to better identify insects and teach entomology during the annual Insect Judging Clinic held in the Heep Center on Saturday, March 30.

The clinic helps to prepare youth participating in the upcoming FFA and 4-H contests. The half-day-long clinic helps them with identifying, collecting, and preparing insects, and learning insect biology and ecology.

After the opening session led by Dr. Pete Teel, participants were directed to four concurrent sessions that included topics such as correctly identifying insects, properly collecting and preserving insects for display, and a workshop for adult leaders and teachers on the different resources available for building successful teams.

Dr. Pete Teel showing participants about navigating the clinic during the introduction. Photo by Rob Williams.

Participants also had the chance to fine tune their insect identification skills at five different insect identification stations and a room where students received hands-on experience working with pinning and mounting tools.

The stations included the most common insects in Hymenoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera, and Hemiptera, as well as the most commonly missed insect orders.

Several undergraduate and graduate students also served as volunteers to help participants with any questions they had on insects and the contest in general.

Participants could also practice their skills with practice sessions in three rooms set up on the second and fourth floors.

The day ended with an overview of the contest and a panel of students where participants could ask questions about entomology, careers, and what college is about.

Devon Eldridge showing participants how to properly pin and mount insects for collections. Photo by Rob Williams.

This year was senior Entomology major Sherrill Richarz’ first time to volunteer for the clinic and she said she loved working in the Hymenoptera room helping students with questions about the specimens.

“I really enjoyed volunteering and it makes me feel great that I’m helping the kids learn about entomology,” she said. “It’s a great experience.”

Senior Franchesca Rodriguez enjoyed working in the Hymenoptera room and seeing how interested the participants were when they looked at the insects.

“This really is a great seeing the kids and their reactions when they see the specimens,” Rodriguez said.

Grand Saline FFA leader Bryce Nations said the clinic was a great idea and also gives students a glimpse of entomology, as well as a way for them to see what college life is about.

“It’s great for the kids to see the clinic and learn from the people that are doing these contests and I think it’s a great recruiting tool for the university too,” he said.

Forensics Program Receives #1 Best Bachelors Program in US

April 3, 2019 by Rob Williams

Bailey Dunn, left, and Fatimah Bouderdaben checking out evidence during a mock accident investigation during the FIVS 422 Crime Scene Investigation class. Photo by Rob Williams

The Department of Entomology’s Forensic and Investigative Program has a reason to celebrate this year as it was ranked in the top 25 Best Bachelors in Forensic Science Degree Programs in the country.

The Bachelor’s Degree Center, an independent resource website, ranked the program #1 out of 25 Best Bachelors in Forensic Science Programs during its latest release in late March. The rankings were based on several factors including cost, reputation, salaries of former students’ jobs, graduation and job placement rates.

The program started in 2007 after seeing growing popularity of the Department’s Science of Forensic Entomology (ENTO 431) and Applied Forensic Entomology (ENTO 432) courses that were taught by the late Dr. Jimmy Olson.

The program received its accreditation by the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission, or FEPAC, in 2012 and has grown from two courses to several, including a major offering courses in forensic soils, impression evidence, and crime scene investigations.

“I am flattered by the recognition of our program as the top program in the nation,” program director Dr. Jeff Tomberlin said. “I believe such a recognition is a testament to the commitment the faculty, college, and university has for its students as a well as a reflection of the type of student matriculating through our program.”

Instructional Assistant Professor Dr. Adrienne Brundage has been teaching courses in the program since its inception 12 years ago and was impressed by the quality of service that the faculty and advising staff have done to keep it running.

“I’ve been lucky enough to watch this group of passionate, talented, and dedicated professionals work overtime and on weekends to make it happen,” Brundage said. “Everyone involved, from Dr. Tomberlin as the director, to Ms. Pool and Mrs. Hapes as advisors, to every single professor and guest lecturer is completely focused on the success of our students. It’s that dedication and focus that really helped the program thrive.”

Students in Dr. Adrienne Brundage's FIVS 205 Intro to Forensics course learning bloodspatter patterns. Photo by Rob Williams — Students in Dr. Adrienne Brundage’s FIVS 205 Intro to Forensics course learning bloodspatter patterns. Photo by Rob Williams

Brundage noted that the students have seen the results of the high quality teaching the program has worked hard to bring.

“I think the students see the amount of work everyone puts into the program and the students work hard in return,” Brundage said. “With a team like this it’s almost impossible to not achieve great things!”

“We train our students with the goal of producing problem solvers,” said Dr. Aaron Tarone, a professor that teaches a forensics class. “This ranking, which was determined in part by post-graduation placement rates and salaries, suggests that we are accomplishing our goal.”

Senior Forensics major Nicholas Richter said the program has been very helpful.

“The Forensic and Investigative Sciences program at Texas A&M has really pushed me to grow, not only in my understanding of technical skills related to the field of Forensic Science, but more importantly in my thinking and reasoning as a scientist,” said senior Forensics student Nicholas Richter. “The professors truly strive to encourage critical and original thought, and I think this ranking speaks to all the efforts of the department to put the students in a position to be successful and to do things the right way.”

Kejaun Tate photographing a fingerprint from a mock accident scene. (Photo by Rob Williams.)

Senior Fatimah Bouderdaben loved the fact the program is helping her to prepare for a career after graduation.

“When I saw that A&M was ranked #1, I was not surprised. Looking at the criteria that they looked at, one of the major characteristics that were put into this ranking was the success of the graduates,” said Fatimah Bouderdaben, senior Forensics major. “I know that this program prepares us to do well after college. Especially in your senior year. We are pushed to be independent and our professional skills are honed. I am proud to graduate from this program.”

Former student Charity Owings graduated with a double major in FIVS and ENTO from Texas A&M in 2010. She is currently finishing her PhD at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) studying the mediators of blow fly population genetics.

“I am not surprised this program has been ranked #1 in the country – it is truly the best forensics bachelors program out there, boasting both top-tier instructors and intensive coursework geared towards preparing students for real-world challenges,” Owings said.

Former student Casey Flint graduated in 2017 with the pre-law emphasis and is a Ph.D. student in Entomology at Texas A&M.

Sam Franklin recording notes during the FIVS 422 lab. Photo by Rob Williams

“I’m honored to have graduated from this program, and come back to help teach the current students. This program prepares graduates to go into extremely diverse fields and be successful wherever they go,” she said. “We have had students enroll in straight PhD programs in toxicology and entomology, go to medical school, become officers in the Army and Marine Corps, work for city, state, and federal investigative agencies, and much more. I’m excited to see this program grow and produce more forensic science professionals.”

Hannah Roblyer graduated in 2013 and is currently a litigator in Houston for Beck and Redden handling both trials and appeals for the firm.

“Texas A&M’s forensic science program has been preeminent for years; its recent recognition comes not as a surprise but as a welcome confirmation. I felt—and still feel—that my journey through the Forensic and Investigative Sciences (‘FIVS’) degree was tailor-made to suit my needs and goals; the faculty promote flexibility and individuality without sacrificing excellence,” Roblyer said. “Because the degree is tucked into a small department at a massive institution, students receive the benefit of vast resources in an environment where everyone knows their names.”

Shay Coplin recording a soil temperature reading from the ground outside a site at a mock crime scene during the Forensic Soil Science course.

Roblyer added that the high-quality curriculum and faculty and staff, as well as having numerous career opportunities are what helped the program become what it is now.

“I think the outstanding curricula, well-reasoned course planning, and endless opportunities are the bones of the program; continuous encouragement and thoughtful mentorship are the heart and mind,” she said. “It is, of course, the natural conclusion that a program so special should be named the best in the country. Congratulations to all those who make it what it is.”

Grad Student Places Second for Talk at Student Research Week

March 26, 2019 by Rob Williams

Joanie King with her award. Photo by Rob Williams.

Congratulations to Ph.D. student Joanie King as she received a top award during the 2019 Student Research Week held from March 18-22 at the Memorial Student Center.

King received second place in the graduate oral competition in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences category for her talk titled “Science Communication in Entomology: Knowing What’s Bugging Them Can Help Us Connect With Communities”

“It was really nice winning an award for Student Research Week,” King said. “I am glad that I stayed positive because this opportunity was a great way to end my week. In addition, I enjoyed meeting other students in different colleges and departments here at Texas A&M. It was exciting to share my ideas and research. I got a lot of great feedback.”

King’s faculty advisor is Dr. Ed Vargo.

Students Receive Certification during Vector Biology Workshop

March 22, 2019 by Rob Williams

Certificate recipients from the Vector Biology Certification course. From left to right: Cierra Briggs (Undergraduate Researcher, Dr. Gabe Hamer’s Laboratory), Dr. Keith Blount (2007 Texas A&M University Doctoral Recipient from Dr. Teel’s Laboratory, Assistant Professor of Biology at University of Arkansas-Monticello), Jennifer Rhinesmith-Carranza (PhD Student, Dr. Tomberlin’s Laboratory), Casey Flint (PhD Student, Dr. Tomberlin’s Laboratory), Samantha Hays (PhD Candidate, Dr. Teel’s Laboratory), Dr. Sonja Swiger (Livestock-Veterinary Entomologist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Stephenville, TX), Brittny Jones (PhD Candidate, Dr. Tomberlin’s Laboratory), and Dongmin Kim (PhD Candidate, Dr. Tomberlin’s Laboratory). — The certificate recipients from the Vector Biology Certification course that was recently held in Houston. From left to right are Cierra Briggs (Undergraduate Researcher, Dr. Gabe Hamer’s Laboratory), Dr. Keith Blount (2007 Texas A&M University Doctoral Recipient from Dr. Teel’s Laboratory, Assistant Professor of Biology at University of Arkansas-Monticello), Jennifer Rhinesmith-Carranza (PhD Student, Dr. Tomberlin’s Laboratory), Casey Flint (PhD Student, Dr. Tomberlin’s Laboratory), Samantha Hays (PhD Candidate, Dr. Teel’s Laboratory), Dr. Sonja Swiger (Livestock-Veterinary Entomologist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Stephenville, TX), Brittny Jones (PhD Candidate, Dr. Tomberlin’s Laboratory), and Dongmin Kim (PhD Candidate, Dr. Tomberlin’s Laboratory).

Congratulations to six students in the Department of Entomology as they completed the Master of Vector-Borne Disease Management Certification course in Houston.

Graduate students Samantha Hays, Casey Flint, Jennie Rhinesmith-Carranza, Dongmin Kim, and Brittny Jones, and undergraduate student Cierra Briggs, a researcher for Dr. Gabe Hamer Lab, were the recipients of the certification course during the three-day-long course was held in Houston in December of 2018. The course’s focus was to help educate people on what vector-borne diseases are and how to control the insects that carry them.

The students were trained on several topics including vector biology and ecology, the epidemiology of vector-borne diseases and insecticide resistance monitoring, prevention strategies and communication tools for developing programs. The course also trained participants on how to integrate effective vector/pathogen surveillance and assessment with various vector control management programs to protect people and animals from the threat of vector-borne diseases.

Hays wants to use what she has learned into her future career of conducting research on vector-borne disease systems and to help educate scientists and the general public on how to properly manage arthropods and vector-borne diseases.

“The course was extremely beneficial to all the attendees from different careers and backgrounds,” she said. “To me two of the most memorable parts of the course included the epidemiology of vector-borne diseases and insecticide resistance monitoring.”

Hays added that the course was a great way to learn new ideas, as well as to review what she has learned.

“It was a great refresher of information I have learned in entomology courses here at Texas A&M University and gave me the chance to learn new information benefiting my future in working with vector-borne disease systems,” she said. “In my opinion, Dr. Swiger and collaborators are doing a phenomenal job engaging people from different career backgrounds in becoming masters of vector-borne disease management with this certification course. Overall, I would recommend anyone to attend this course.”

Flint said the course was a great way to learn new techniques and to apply what she had learned.

“As students, we are more focused on the biology and anatomy of insects, as well as modes of action for pesticides. Rarely do we see the applied side, where applicators have to know where to place insecticides, which ones to use, how to stagger and alternate certain pesticides, etc,” she said. “This workshop joined both sides of vector management, taught both sides, and allowed participants to share their experiences with one another and build connections all over the state.”

Jones also enjoyed the class and said it was a great learning experience.

“The course overall was quite informative and entertaining. It was a wonderful experience meeting other people in the industry, or other students,” she said. “The instructors made the material exciting, and were kind enough to give us extra resources if we wanted to learn more about a topic. I felt more informed about mosquitoes compared to my limited knowledge in the past after taking this course.”

Jones also said she plans on using what she had learned during the course to help her in her career.

“I believe that biological control is an important concept of safety regulations in businesses and the products they are producing,” Jones said. “With this knowledge, I can help implement the proper protocols when dealing with infestations and how to identify problems before they expand to costly issues.”

“I really enjoyed the Certification course,” Kim said. “Each seminar presented by special guests on particular subjects was very informative and covered ranging from vector biology to management.”

Rhinesmith-Carranza said it has helped her to use what she has learned during both her graduate and undergraduate classes.

“The workshop was great! The vector course helped continue to broaden my scope, building off of concepts I learned in Dr. Teel’s acarology course and Dr. Brundage’s medical entomology course,” Rhinesmith-Carranza said. “The vector certification course really equips you with knowledge and skills to put in your toolkit as a practicing entomologist; there was good foundational knowledge presented in addition to the practical applications of that knowledge for assisting in the control of arthropod vectors.”