Dr. Louise I. Lynch-O'Brien

Associate Professor Department of Entomology University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Address: ENTO 109B
Lincoln, NE 68583
Phone: 402-327-1574
Email: llynchobrien@unl.edu
Website: Visit Civic Entomology Lab Website
Social Media

Louise focuses on undergraduate education and Extension programming that combines community science, One Health and entomology. She employs qualitative (grounded theory, case study, etc.) and Mixed Methods Research (MMR) to study public health entomology behaviors and other human-insect interactions. She designs courses for undergraduates rooted in Experiential Learning Theory to connect college experiences with professional and personal development.

Appointment: 70% Teaching, 30% Extension

Research Areas:

Qualitative Methods and Mixed Methods Research
One Health
Human-Insect Relationships
Science Literacy
Agriculture and Public Health

Education

Graduate Certificate in One Health, University of Florida, 2021
Ph.D. in Entomology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2016
Graduate Certificate of Mixed Methods Research, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2015
M.S. in Entomology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2012
B.S. in Biological Sciences, Fairleigh Dickinson University, 2006

Professional Responsibilities and Activities

Coordination of the Insect Science undergraduate program
Teaching undergraduate and graduate courses
Develop community (citizen) science, informal science and other extension programming to support Nebraska One Health and the Entomology Department’s science literacy mission
Provide experiential Extension and professional training for undergraduate students

Publications

Lynch-O'Brien, L.I. & Babchuk, W. A. “Ethical Review and Gaining Access.” January 2026. In Grounded Theory in Action (edited by Gregory Hadley, Antony Bryant). Edward Eldar Publishing Ltd. 192 pp. ISBN 978-1-03532-190-2. URL
Babchuk, W.A. and Lynch-O'Brien, L. I. (2026). Grounded Theory Research Ethics: Guidelines for Design and Implementation. Journal of Ethnographic and Qualitative Research. 18(2): 99-118. ISSN: 1935-3308.
Perez A, Howell Smith MC, Babchuk WA, Lynch-O’Brien LI. Advancing Quality Standards in Mixed Methods Research: Extending the Legitimation Typology. Journal of Mixed Methods Research. May 2022. doi:10.1177/15586898221093872
Lynch-O’Brien LI, Babchuk WA, Dauer JM, Heng-Moss T, Golick D. Transference of Citizen Science Program Impacts: A Theory Grounded in Public Participation in Scientific Research. Diversity. 2021; 13(8):339. https://doi.org/10.3390/d13080339
Lynch-O’Brien LI. Change Is the Only Constant. Journal of Mixed Methods Research. 2020;14(2):268-269. doi:10.1177/1558689819892737
Lynch L, Dauer J, Babchuk W, Heng-Moss T, Golick D. In Their Own Words: The Significance of Participant Perceptions in Assessing Entomology Citizen Science Learning OUtcomes Using a Mixed Methods Approach. Insects. 2018, 9(1), 1-16. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/insects9010016
Golick D, Dauer J, Lynch L, Ingram E. A framework for pollination systems thinking and conservation. Environmental Education. 2018, 24 (8), 1143-1158. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/13504622.2017.1349878

Other

Teaching Summary

ENTO 115: Insect Biology (face-to-face and online/asynchronous) (ACE 4)
ENTO 309: Experiential Learning in Entomology Internships (CASNR EL-certified course)
ENTO 395A: Experiential Learning in Entomology Research (CASNR EL-certified course)
ENTO 395B: Experiential Learning in Entomology Teaching (CASNR EL-certified course)
ENTO 395C: Experiential Learning in Entomology Extension (CASNR EL-certified course)
ENTO 485: Current Issues in Entomology (Undergraduate Capstone)
SCIL 101: Science and Decision-Making for a Complex World (ACE 8)

Professional Society Memberships

Entomology Society of America (ESA)
Citizen Science Association (CSA)
Kansas Entomological Soceity
Invertebrates in Education and Conservation
National Society for Experiential Education (NSEE)
North American Invasive Species Management Association
Planetary Health Alliance (PHA)