People

Current Lab Members

Kelly Hamby

Assistant Professor/Extension Specialist
Email: kahamby@umd.edu
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: invasive species, insect-microbe interactions, insect and host seasonal phenology, insecticide resistance, and non-target impacts of insecticides on beneficials and surface waters

Aditi Dubey

Graduate Student
Email: aditid26@gmail.com
Major: Integrative Biology B.A.

Research Interests: My background is in general ecology and evolution, but I have worked on multiple entomology projects, specifically on the effect of biodiversity on pest levels in vineyards, as well as the relationship between a microsporidian and the Light Brown Apple Moth. My primary research interest is Integrated Pest Management in agricultural systems. I am focused on biological control of invasive species and the relationship between insects, their parasites and pathogens, and plants. I am also interested in creating sustainable agricultural ecosystems through increased biodiversity.

Maggie Lewis

Graduate Student
Email: mtlewis@umd.edu
Major: Entomology M.S., Molecular Environmental Biology B.S.

Research Interests: I am broadly interested in agricultural pest management. My current work focuses on spotted wing drosophila and its interactions with yeast and fungal microbes, as well as more broadly on improving integrated pest management programs for SWD. I previously completed my masters degree at Penn State University; my thesis considered sustainable management options for the striped cucumber beetle, including biocontrol and the use of microbial metabolites in organic cropping systems.

Joshua Yeroshefsky

Research Assistant/Lab Manager
Email: jyeroshefsky@gmail.com
Major: Environmental Science & Technology B.S.

Research Interests: I have spent much of my life in the field of Environmental Science. Through understanding how various organisms operate, I am interested in finding connections between different species and using this knowledge to develop innovative approaches to create a more sustainable world. I have previously worked with Cape vultures and honey bees, as well as on IPM projects with Emerald Ash Borer, and am currently involved in research with Culex mosquitoes and spotted wing drosopohila.

Arielle Arsenault-Benoit

Faculty Research Assistant
Email: ariellearsenault@gmail.com
Major: Natural Resources, MS; Biology BS

Research Interests: I have a background in forest ecosystem health and biological control, with a focus on insect natural enemies. I am intrigued by the role of insects in ecological systems, insect behavior, and genetics, and medical entomology. I also have interests in STEM outreach and education, and student advocacy.

Robert Starkenburg

Student Researcher
Email: rob.starkenburg@gmail.com
Major: Psychology

Research Interests: I am interested in studying animal behavior in graduate school. I am also interested in how parts of an ecosystem interact with one another.

Logan Miller

Student Researcher
Email: lmille15@terpmail.umd.edu
Major: Biology:Ecology and Evolution

Research Interests: I am pursuing a degree in Biology with a concentration in Ecology and Evolution. I am passionate about the environment and wildlife conservation efforts. I am also interested in sustainability and using knowledge from human interactions with ecosystems to protect the environment.

Anna Alesho

Research Technician
Email:aleshoa@gmail.com
Major: Plant Science - Plant Pathology and Entomology M.S. Natural resources management B.S.

Research Interests: I am interested in integrated pest management particularly invasive insect pests. I am also interested in plant-insect and pathogen-insect interactions. I worked with Drosophila suzukii for my master’s degree major thesis with Wageningen University and Research, Netherlands. I am now investigating the effect of pest management practices on biodiversity in different agro-ecosystems .

Gabriel Aborisade

Student Researcher
Email: gabrielmesole@gmail.com
Major: Public Health Science

Research Interests: I am interested in the study of environmental contaminants, pathogenic and parasitic diseases; how it impacts human health, the ecosystem, and factors that contribute to the spread of contamination and diseases.

Nadya Chehab

Student Researcher
Email: nadya.chehab@gmail.com
Major: Environmental Science and Technology, English Literature and Language

Research Interests: I am interested in work that applies ecological principals, restoration (in urban environments), and focuses on sustainability. I've done previous work and research with herbicide and insecticide resistance in plants, chemical end-of-life in waterways, and applied ecology. I also have a background and a passion for STEM education, outreach, and communication.

Gi Kim

Student Researcher
Email: gijeffman6@yahoo.com
Major: Biological Sciences - Cell Biology & Molecular Genetics

Research Interests: I am interested in plant genetics and its application to agricultural and nutritional aspects of crops. I want to learn more about unique plant chemical mechanisms that can be altered via molecular techniques including CRISPR systems.

Nurani Illahi

Student Researcher
Email: ni.smirkles@gmail.com
Major: Horticulture

Research Interests: I am interested in plant pathogens and their relationship(s) with insect vectors and how these interactions affect crop productivity. I am also interested in extension work and communicating with farms, applying scientific research to real-world environments.

Rachel Sanford

Student Researcher
Email: rysanford97@gmail.com
Major: Biology

Research Interests: I am working towards a degree in Biology and a minor in History. I have always been interested in wildlife and their environmental interactions. I am also interested in invasive species and how they impact the environment. I hope to go onto medical school and become a doctor.