More about lab members

and their specific interests

Eric Bohnenblust

My interests focus on the use of pesticides, biocontrol, and integrated pest management techniques to manage pest and natural enemy populations in field crop ecosystems. I am especially interested in pesticide efficacy, genetically modified crops and finding ways to reduce pesticide inputs in agroecosystems. Also, I believe in using the above tactics and techniques to make agriculture more sustainable for human health and the environment. My previous research was concerned with sex pheromone mating disruption of the codling moth and oriental fruit moth in apples and peaches. In my free time, I enjoy flyfishing and hunting.

Maggie Douglas

As part of a large collaborative USDA Northeast-SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education) funded Ecosystems project, I am investigating the consequences for insect pest control of farming practices such as crop rotation, tillage, and nutrient management. Such practices may impact herbivore populations directly, or indirectly through their influence on natural enemies and plant defense. I am especially curious how changes in the farm habitat alter colonization and persistence of generalist predators. More broadly, I would like to use natural ecosystems as inspiration to improve low-input farming methods. When not in the lab I can usually be found in the garden, on my bike, or in a book.

Ian Grettenberger

I am interested in multitrophic interactions involving primary producers, herbivores, and predators with equal emphasis on “bottom-up” plant effects and “top-down” effects by predators. My goal is to ask basic ecological questions while retaining real-world applications to my research. I am therefore planning on examining these interactions within field crop agroecosystems and in the context of natural enemy suppression of pest insect populations. I want to look at plant-mediated effects on the herbivore and predator communities, perhaps through intraspecific plant diversity. On the other side of the trophic web, I am interested in how the specific identity of the predator community affects herbivores and if they have cascading effects on the plants. Increased awareness of biological control and purposeful management of natural enemies could reduce pesticide applications in agriculture. This could in turn minimize costs to the famer, human health, and environmental health. As a self-proclaimed career entomologist, I want to share my love of insects with younger generations. I believe that insects are the perfect catalyst for getting children interested in science and connected with nature. In my free time, I like to fish, bike, camp, or anything that gets me outside period. I also like all things food.

Anjel Helms

I am interested in the chemical ecology of plant-insect interactions, and especially how plants defend themselves against insect herbivores. The main goals of my research are to investigate how plants use olfactory cues to predict impeding herbivore attack and to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of plant olfaction and priming of defenses, both of which remain poorly understood.

Anthony Vaudo

I am currently researching bee and flower interactions and how floral nutrition influences bee foraging behavior. This research addresses physiology, sensory processes and how they mediate behavior, conservation, and the evolution of plants and their pollinators. In the future, we will be able to see how these processes are regulated in social insects. My previous research addressed how land use affects the population density, nest site selection, and colony strength of honey bees in South Africa. When not conducting research, I'll still be found in the woods, or in a theatre, music studio, or coffee shop engaged in a philosophical debate about human relationships and social justice.

Andrew Aschwanden

I am a Colorado native, but I am really enjoying central Pennsylvania. My main task is to help John and the rest of the Tooker Lab get things done!

Our friend Vaughn

Out in the field

Holiday celebration 2012--nice hats!

Ian, Anthony, Andrew, Anjel, Eric, and Maggie--pitchers need refreshing...

Maggie receiving the Asa Fitch Award

George Hamilton (Rutgers Univ.) presents Maggie with Asa Fitch Award for the Best Masters Student in the Eastern Branch of the Entomological Society of America.

Ian receives another award for a talk

George Hamilton congratulates Ian

Steve and Maggie checking out herbivory in Chile

Even when on a relaxing visit to thermal baths in Chile, these hard-core scientists find time to examine herbivory. Dr. Steve Frank and Maggie Douglas, Termas Geometricas, near Conaripe, Chile