Dr. Kelly Hamby
Associate Professor/Extension Specialist (C.V.)
Email: [email protected] Phone: (301)-314-1068 Office: 3124 Plant Sciences Building Lab: 3182 Plant Sciences Building Major: Entomology Ph.D. and M.S., Environmental Toxicology B.S. Research Interests: I work to improve agricultural sustainability and productivity while protecting human health and the environment, using the integrated pest management paradigm. In particular, I am focused on understanding insect interactions with free-living microorganisms, evaluating and optimizing pest management programs, and developing alternative management tactics in small fruit and grain crops. |
Ph.D. Students
Maria CramerGraduate Student
Email: [email protected] Major: Horticulture M.S., Horticulture B.S. Research Interests: During my M.S. I worked on IPM techniques for Japanese beetle and spotted wing drosophila in high tunnel raspberries. I'm excited to be working on grain crops now, where I’m investigating the impacts of preventatively-applied pesticides on insect communities. I focus on pest species and natural enemies to understand what practices can enhance naturally occurring biocontrol and support sustainable farming. |
Lasair ní ChochlainGraduate Student
Email: [email protected] Major: Biology B.S. Research Interests: My research interests lie in plant-insect interactions, insect ecology, and how these relate to agricultural systems. I am particularly interested in integrated pest management. As an undergraduate at Penn State, I investigated the role of root-mediated plant kin recognition on aphid behavior and performance in genotypically diverse wheat mixtures. I plan to focus on understanding the ecological interactions that structure insect communities and developing sustainable IPM techniques for grain and small fruit crops. |
Research Technicians
Cara LambertyResearch Technician
Email: [email protected] Major: Marine Science B.S. Research Interests: I am responsible for lab maintenance and assisting with projects as needed. My current project examines Helicoverpa zea toxin resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn. . |
Arthur YoungResearch Technician
Email: [email protected] Major: Biology B.S., Biodiversity M.S. Research Interests: I am interested in chestnut-insect interactions, conservation biology and practical applications of entomology. Also interested in learning more about insects in agricultural systems and sustainable approaches to pest management. |
Undergraduate Student Researchers
Kyree DayStudent Researcher
Email: [email protected] Major: Psychology Research Interests: I am interested in learning more about the interactions between insects and agriculture. This lab will give me insight into conducting research and aiding my future medical endeavors. |
Shea IllStudent Researcher
Email: [email protected] Major: Plant Science Research Interests: I am interested in plant-insect interactions and relationships and protecting both agricultural and ornamental plants to promote and protect biodiversity. |
Nuelle JohnsonEmail: [email protected]
Major: Environmental Science and Technology Research Interests: During my sophomore year I took a class in sustainable agriculture and learned a lot about the ways in which increases pest populations and soil erosion onset by climate change are negatively impacting crops and how new and innovative ways of farming may be used to address this issue. From the Hamby lab, I hope to gain more knowledge of how insects interact with agricultural vegetation and how this can be applied to agricultural innovation. . |
Former Graduate Students
Dr. Aditi (Addie) DubeyDissertation: Evaluating the potential benefits and long-term sustainability of neonicotinoid seed treatments in mid-Atlantic grain crop production
Dr. Margaret (Maggie) LewisDissertation: Applying insect ecology and behavior to improve sustainable pest management for Drosophila suzukii
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Additional Lab Alumni
Not pictured: Declan McHugh, Amanda Amador, Fiona Siu, Elizabeth Engle, Luz Villanueva, Daniel Annitsakis, Amira Elzaree, Jackie Foster, Kaitlyn Walker