I joined the Entomology and Plant Pathology Department in August 2016. I came to UTIA from the USDA Agricultural Research Service where I spent ten years (2006-2016) studying fire ant biology and natural history. I held two academic positions before that (Western Michigan University [1998-2002] and University of Wisconsin [2002-2006]). My primary teaching responsibilities in the past were Introductory Genetics, Evolutionary Genetics, and Molecular Evolution. I was a postdoctoral research associate for almost four years at three different institutions.
I received my Ph.D. at the University of Georgia under the supervision of Dr. Ken Ross in the Department of Entomology. My research program has largely focused on functional, population, and evolutionary genomics studies of fire ants (genus Solenopsis), although I have worked in other systems over my career. Mentoring is critical to integrating my teaching and research responsibilities. I have mentored six postdoctoral associates, three graduate students, and I have served on 15 graduate committees. I also actively recruit undergraduates and they play integral roles in almost all of my studies. I have mentored 27 undergraduate students to date. I am committed to strengthening diversity in science and I have a long track record of mentoring and hiring students of STEM-underrepresented groups.