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Welcome
New Distance Masters Students:
Fall 2006: Ture Carlson, Kankakee, IL; Angela Cooper, Connellsville, PA; Jody Hubbell, Marietta, GA; Israel Leinbach, Phoenix, AZ; Jerrold Oser, Bishop, CA; Christopher Van Benschoten, Vero Beach, FL.
Spring 2007: Melissa Oliver, Gainesville, FL.
Julia Colby will be pursuing a Masters degree under the supervision of Drs. Brett Ratcliffe and Mary Liz Jameson. Julia is from Piscataway, NJ, and received her B.S. in Environmental Biology this May from State University of New York (SUNY),
Syracuse, NY.
Santiago Palizada is a Fulbright Scholar from Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, who is in the Masters degree program under the supervision of Dr. John Foster. He received his B.S. in Agriculture, majoring in Plant Science, from West Visayas State University, Lambunao, Iloilo, Philippines. Since graduating, Santiago has worked as an
research assistant and an agriculturist for the Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Plant Industry, Crop Production Division, in the Philippines.
Welcome to our five new insect science majors! Ransom Sitz is from Burwell, Crystal Ramm is from Valentine, and Cynthia Harris, Becca Striman, and Matthew Yans are from Lincoln, NE.
Congratulations
The following students graduated in August 2006:
 | | Hooding Ceremony-Mary Liz, Matt,and Brett |
Tierney Brosius, M.S. (Advisors: Drs. Leon Higley and Tom Hunt)
Alex Cunningham, M.S. (Advisors: Drs. Jim Brandle and Steve Danielson)
Tim Husen, M.S. (Advisor: Dr. Shripat Kamble)
Upeka Samarakoon, M.S. (Advisors: Drs. John Foster and Steve Skoda)
Alemtaye Yossef, M.S. (Advisor: Dr. Fred Baxendale)
Sasi Maliphan, Ph.D. (Advisors: Drs. John Foster and Steve Skoda)
Matthew Paulsen, Ph.D. (Advisors: Drs. Mary Liz Jameson and Brett Ratcliffe)
David Malone, Lake Mary, FL, Distance M.S.
Anthony Rattin, Monmouth, IL,Distance M.S. Tim Huntington and Leo Magalhaes have been awarded a Milton E. Mohr Fellowship in the amount of $2,000 each from CASNR for the 2006-2007 academic year. Nick Aliano is the recipient of the 2006-2007 Widaman Trust Distinguished Graduate Assistant Award in the amount of $2,000 from IANR’s Agricultural Research Division. Chelsey Wasem and Matt Brust were each selected for a 2006-2007 Farmers National Company Fellowship from IANR in the amount of $2,000. Tim, Leo, Nick, Chelsey and Matt were honored at a luncheon September 15, which recognized recipients of the Milton E. Mohr Fellowship, the Widaman Trust Distinguished Graduate Assistant Award, and the Farmers National Company Fellowship, along with recipients of the Hardin Distinguished Fellowship, the John and Louise Skala Fellowship, and the Shear/Miles Fellowship.
Andrea Gutsche has received a Mary and Charles C. Cooper/Emma I. Sharpless Fellowship from the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and the Agricultural Research Division in the amount of $3,000 for the 2006-2007 academic year.
The following University employees were honored for years of service at the Service Awards ceremony, held September 7, 2006 at the Lied Center for Performing Arts: Jack Campbell (40), Jim Kalisch (25), Marilyn Weidner (25), Terence Spencer (10), Robert Roselle (10), Doug Golick (5), and Tiffany Heng-Moss (5).
Grants
| Marion Ellis | Wisconsin and South Dakota Beekeepers Associations | $2,000 | Apiculture research and extension programs |
| Marion Ellis | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency | $46,000 | Honey Bee colonies |
| Marion Ellis and Tiffany Heng-Moss | USDA-APHIS | $1,400 | Bug Bash |
| Marion Ellis and Tiffany Heng-Moss | IANR Teaching and Extension Deans | $4,000 | Bug Bash |
| Tiffany Heng-Moss | Ruth P. Gard Fund for Excellence | $11,443 | Insect Functional Genomics: Applications to Pest Management and Environmental Protection |
| Tiffany Heng-Moss, Marion Ellis, and Mimi Wickless | Aspegren Educational Foundation | $22,000 | Bug Buddies Inquiry Center |
| David Keith | Kansas State University | $5,000 | Population Outbreaks of an Introduced Species of Itch Mites |
| Lance Meinke | Monsanto | $22,680 | Western Corn Rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera Leconte, beetle production on commercialized or soon-to-be commercialized Transgenic corn rootworm events in Nebraska |
| Lance Meinke | Syngenta | $15,120 | MIR604: Corn Rootworm Control in Mid Maturity Field Corn, Project 1102B |
| Blair Siegfried | Western Michigan University/USAID | $84,023 | Building Functional Biosafety Systems |
| Blair Siegfried | Agrigenetics | $52,122 | Protocol for Establishing Baseline Susceptibility of Corm Rootworm Larvae to the Cry34Ab1/Cry35Ab1 Binary Protein |
| Blair Siegfried | North Carolina State University | $19,500 | Biochemistry and Genetics of Bt Resistance Isolated from a Field Population of the European Corn Borer |
| Blair Siegfried | Agrigenetics | $23,535 | Characterization of Hamilton County, IA European Corn Borer Population: On-Plant Assays, Selections, and Inheritance |
| Blair Siegfried | USDA-CSREES | $346,845 | Quantifying Risk Factors for Evolution of European Corn Borer Resistance to Cry1F Expressing Corn Hybrids |
| Blair Siegfried | USDA-ARS, MWA | $25,000 | Contributions to a Framework for Managing Insect Resistance to Transgenic Crops |
| Bob Wright | Syngenta | $15,120 | Research Services - Testing Insect Resistance in Corn |
Publications
De Jong, G.D., and W.W. Hoback. 2006. Effect of investigator disturbance in experimental forensic entomology: succession and community composition. Medical and Veterinary Entomology, 20:248-258.
Eickhoff, T.E., F.P. Baxendale and T.M. Heng-Moss. 2006. Host Preference of the chinch bug, Blissus occiduus. Journal of Insect Science. http://www.insectscience.org/6.07
Golick, Douglas A., Marion D. Ellis and Brady Beecham. 2006. Creating and evaluating artificial domiciles for bumble bees. Am. Biol. Teacher Online 68(4): e29-e34.
Husen Timothy J., Shripat T. Kamble, and Julie M. Stone. 2006. A Characterization of Subterranean Termites in Nebraska Using Micro-Morphological and Molecular Techniques. Sociobiology 48(1): 247-265.
Kriz, James C., Stephen D. Danielson, James R. Brandle, Erin E. Blankenship, and Geoff M. Henebry. 2006. Effects of Aphid (Homoptera) Abundance and Surrounding Vegetation on the Encounter Rate of Coccinellidae (Coleoptera), Chrysopidae (Neuroptera), and Nabidae (Hemiptera) in Alfalfa. J. Entomol. Sci. 41(3): 211-220.
Le Goff, Gaëlle, Frédérique Hilliou, Blair D. Siegfried, Sam Boundy, Eric Wajnberg, Luc Sofer, Pascaline Audant, Richard H. ffrench-Constant, René Feyereisen. 2006. Xenobiotic response in Drosophila melanogaster: Sex dependence of P450 and GST gene induction. Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 36(8): 674-682.
Ratcliffe, B.C. 2006. Heterogomphus effeminatus, an unusual new species of rhinoceros beetle from French Guiana (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae: Oryctini). Acta Zoologica Cracoviensia 49b: 9-12.
Ratcliffe, B.C. and R.D. Cave. 2006. The dynastine scarabs of Honduras, Nicaragua, and El Salvador (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). Bulletin of the University of Nebraska State Museum 21: 1-424.
Sigueira, Herbert A.A., Joel González-Cabrera, Juan Ferré, Ronald Flannagan, and Blair D. Siegfried. 2006. Analyses of Cry1Ab Binding in Resistant and Susceptible Strains of the European Corn Borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). Applied and Environmental Microbiology 72(8): 5318-5324.
| Do you know someone who’s thinking about college? Do you know someone who may be interested in entomology or agriculture as a career? The Department’s undergraduate Insect Science or Diversified Agriculture majors are looking for interested students. If you know of a student that would like more information on either major, send their name and contact information to Lisa Silberman, lsilberman1@unl.edu |
Faculty News
The 10th Annual Bug Bash, held at the Lincoln Children’s Zoo, September 13-16, 2006, introduced approximately 2,600 people to the world of insects in a fun, but education focused program. Ninety Science Focus High School participants, along with 75 UN-L faculty, staff, graduate students, and undergraduate students enrolled in Insect Biology, participated as trainers and event presenters to young learners and the public. Drs. Marion Ellis and Tiffany Heng-Moss were co-coordinators for this event.
Dr. David Carter presented the seminar, “Soils and forensic science: the dirt on Locard’s Principle” as part of the National Soil Survey Seminar Series.
Dr. Z B Mayo was elected as an Honorary Member of the Entomological Society of America (ESA). Dr. John Burd was elected as the Southwestern Branch Representative, and Dr. Mike Culy was elected as the Section F Representative.
The Clue Crew of “Jeopardy” was here in July filming next to the beehives on East Campus. Dr. Marion Ellis was on hand to help Clue Crew member, Sarah Whitcomb, carefully handle hive frames and hundreds of bees - all without getting stung. The episode with bee clues will be aired sometime in September.
Travel
Dr. Brett Ratcliffe conducted research in the entomology collections of the National Museum of Natural History in Budapest, Hungary and the National Museum of Natural History in Vienna, Austria in June.
Meet a Distance Student
Distance M.S. Student - Marie Elwood-Heinrichs
I am a distance student who lives in Hillsboro, Oregon, but I grew up in Elko, Nevada. From an early age, I loved insects and would spend hours upon hours chasing, watching, imitating, and drawing insects. Ants have always been my favorite.
I graduated from the University of Southern California in 2000 with a degree in Psychology/ Pre-Med and a determination never to live in Los Angeles again. I worked for a short time as a children's book editor before moving to Oregon to work at the medical school. I now work for the Department of Public Health and have helped with studies on breast cancer, heroin use, AIDS transmission, and mental health of people with multiple drunk driving arrests. Currently, I am studying the effectiveness of drug treatment programs across the US. "Tell your kids to say no to drugs. I don't want them to end up in my studies."
I knew I wanted to study entomology, but I had shared custody of young twin daughters which made going to any school difficult. UNL's distance program was the perfect option. When I started the program, I was single with time on my hands. Out of the blue, I met my wonderful husband, Trent. "I knew he was the right one, when he didn't run, after he found the freezer was full of frozen crickets." Now, in what I hope will be my last semester, I have 8- year-old twins, a 20- month-old busy toddler son, and am expecting a daughter any day now. I also still work, am active in my church, the Xerces Society, and volunteer too much at my kids’ school.
Graduate Student News
Tierney Brosius presented her thesis defense seminar on July 7, 2006. Her title was “The Impact of Natural Enemies on the Density and Within-plant Distribution of Soybean Aphid (Aphis glycines Matsumura).” Tierney is now in our Ph.D. program, with Dr. Leon Higley as her advisor.
S. Upeka Samarakoon’s thesis defense seminar was held on July 20, 2006. Her title was “Molecular Keys and Molecular Barcodes for Identification of Forensic Blow Flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae).” Upeka is pursuing a Ph.D. at the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN.
Alex Cunningham presented his thesis defense seminar on July 19, 2006. His title was “Predacious Coccinellidae in Alfalfa: Development, Conservation, and Mortality in Relation to Harvest in East Central Nebraska.” Alex is now at a USGS field station in Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii until December. He is doing research investigating impacts of introduced insects on populations of endangered birds and flowers in the park, and the impacts of parasitoids introduced for biological control on native, non-target Lepidoptera, which are a vital part of the indigenous ecology of the island.
Tim Husen’s thesis defense seminar was held July 28, 2006. His title was “A Molecular Characterization of Subterranean Termites in Nebraska.” Tim is pursing his Ph.D. with Dr. Shripat Kamble as his advisor.
Sasi Maliphan presented her dissertation defense on August 2, 2006. Her title was “Genetic Linkage in Screwworms Cochliomyia hominivorax (Colquerel) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) Assessed by AFLP and Investigation of their mtDNA by PCR-RFLP.” Sasi has been working since April for Monsanto as a Regional Dossier Coordinator- Asia Pacific (Regulatory). Sasi travels among 13 countries in the Asia Pacific, taking care of the approval of imports and products for these countries. Her office is based in Singapore with travel between St. Louis and Singapore.
Matthew Paulsen’s dissertation defense was held on August 2, 2006. His title was “Revision of the South American stag beetle genus Pycnosiphorus.” Matt’s dissertation will be published as a monograph in the Bulletin of the University of Nebraska State Museum.
Tim Huntington was an invited speaker at the St. Elizabeth Regional Wound Center Conference, “Excellence in Wound Care - From Basics to Beyond” held September 7-8, 2006, at the Embassy Suites in Lincoln, NE. Tim’s talk was entitled “What’s Eating you? Human Myiasis and Wound Care.”
Undergraduate News
Matt Moore, funded by an NSF-Research Experience for Undergraduates, is working in the Team Scarab lab and has just completed the first of his on-line guides to scarabs, a guide to the species of Hercules beetles (the genus Dynastes). See his key, species pages, and gallery of images at http://www-museum.unl.edu/research/entomology/Guide/Scarabaeoidea/Scarabaeidae/Dynastinae/Dynastinae-Tribes/Dynastini/Dynastes/Dynastes.html. His second guide to the species of elephant beetles (the genus Megasoma) will be completed soon.
Farewell
We bid a fond farewell to Dr. Doug Golick, who was the Web Coordinator for the Department of Entomology since April 2001. Doug received his Master of Education from UNL, in 2001, majoring in Curriculum and Instruction and minoring in Entomology. He received his Ph.D. in Educational Studies, with a Specialization in Instructional Technology from UNL in 2005. Doug’s new job is the Instructional Design and Development Coordinator for the Department of Instructional Development and Support at the University of Kansas. He will be working with faculty across the KU campus in helping them to use new educational technologies, conduct research and to coordinate projects between the Instructional Development and Support group and other academic departments. We wish the best to Doug and his wife, Erinn.
From the Office
There will be a new equipment charge for the smart cart at the East Campus Union. Any UNL Department who reserves the smart cart for more than two hours will be charged $25. This fee will go into a fund for updating the smart cart.
| Calendar of Events
September 29, 2006
• Entomology Seminar - Andrea Gutsche, Graduate Student, 4:00 p.m., East Campus Union
October 6, 2006
• Entomology Seminar - Dr. Antoine Messean, Scientific Director of CEYIOM, INRA, Grignon, France, 4:00 p.m., East Campus Union
October 13, 2006
• Entomology Seminar - Michael Fisher, Graduate Student, 4:00 p.m., East Campus Union
October 13, 2006
• International Potluck Dinner, 6:00-10:00pm, Antelope Park
October 16-17, 2006
• Fall Break (Student Holiday - Offices open)
October 19, 2006
• Entomology Faculty Meeting, 214 PI, 8:30 a.m.
October 20, 2006
• Entomology Seminar - Dr. Lyric Bartholomay, Iowa State University, 4:00 p.m., East Campus Union
October 27, 2006
• Entomology Seminar - Sheri Svehla, Graduate Student, 4:00 p.m., East Campus Union
November 3, 2006
• Entomology Seminar - Chelsey Wasem, Graduate Student, 4:00 p.m., East Campus Union
November 10, 2006
• Entomology Seminar - Dr. Erica J. Crone, Post-Doc Research Associate, Department of Biological Sciences, 4:00 p.m., East Campus Union
November 16, 2006
• Entomology Faculty Meeting, 214 PI, 8:30 a.m.
November 17, 2006
• Entomology Seminar - Dr. Ty Vaughn, Research Scientist, Monsanto, 4:00 p.m., East Campus Union
November 22, 2006
• Student Holiday - Offices open
November 23-26, 2006
• Thanksgiving Vacation
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Check out our Entomology Department Photograph Display by the Main Office. Undergraduate students’ photographs are on display now along with faculty, staff, and graduate students. |
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Send items of interest for the next issue of the Hexapod Herald to JCUNNINGHAM1@UNL.EDU
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