Meet my lab!

It's about time I talk about humans for once on the blog and not just focus on insects. I wanted to give some big props to the people in my lab that spend all day (every day) outside looking for insects in corn and soybean. My lab has actually grown quite a bit this year and branching out of my usual research comfort zone.

Some of the lab (L-R): Thelma, Greg, Amanda, Eric, Erin, Ezra, Taylor, Tyler, Sarah and Cody. Yes, I am wearing a cockroach t-shirt!

Greg Van Nostrand is my lab technician and makes sure the work gets done
Hometown: Vincent, Iowa
Major: B.S. Entomology, ISU (2009)
Sports and Hobbies: retro/classic video games
What else? has wanted to be an entomologist since he was a kid; likes Windows, Android, classic rock and energy drinks

Thelma Heidel-Baker is a new post-doc in my lab. She is working with pollinators in addition to helping me with extension projects
Hometown: Random Lake, Wisconsin
Major: Ph.D. Entomology, University of Minnesota (2012)
Sports and Hobbies: running and more running, triathlons, photography, traveling, and gardening
What else? she has a 4-month old daughter, Ava

Eric Clifton just recently finished his M.S. degree at ISU and is now working on a Ph.D.
Hometown: Gurnee, Illinois [home to Six Flags Great America]
Major: M.S. Entomology, ISU (2013); Ph.D. Entomology, ISU (2016?)
Sports and Hobbies: frisbee golf, mushroom hunting, dancing, foosball, cross country running, photography, hiking
What else? he believes everyone should watch Billy Murray movies, travel often and eat more tacos to vastly improve quality of life

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Amanda is a new undergraduate working with Thelma this summer
Hometown: Muscatine, Iowa
Major: Biology, expected graduation in 2014
Sports and Hobbies: music, biking, reading
What else? wants to get a M.S. degree in teaching and teach high school biology

Cody is a new undergraduate working with Greg this summer
Hometown: Maquoketa, Iowa
Major: Environmental Science, expected graduation in 2014
Sports and Hobbies: running, basketball, fishing, hunting, camping and anything outdoors
What else? wants to get a graduate degree and go into research

Ezra is a new undergraduate working with Thelma this summer
Hometown: Tucson, Arizona
Major: History, expected graduation in 2013
Sports and Hobbies: soccer and football
What else? thinking about graduate school in entomology [bonus!]

Hailey is a new undergraduate working with Greg this summer
Hometown: Urbandale, Iowa
Major: Biology and Accounting, expected graduation in 2015
Sports and Hobbies: softball, camping, fishing, playing with animals
What else? loves ice cream and her favorite color is blue

Joe is a new undergraduate working with Thelma this summer
Hometown: Ankeny, Iowa
Major: History, expected graduation in 2013
Sports and Hobbies: golf and tennis
What else? after college, he wants to move to Oregon or Washington

Kiley is a new undergraduate working with Eric this summer
Hometown: Buffalo, Minnesota
Major: Forestry, expected graduation in 2013
Sports and Hobbies: brewing tea, tying shoelaces and the pursuit of adventure
What else? she wants to breed a bevy of homing pigeons to help communication in southern Canada

Sarah is a new undergraduate working with Eric this summer
Hometown: Belleville, Illinois
Major: Animal Ecology and Biology, expected graduation in 2014
Sports and Hobbies: photography, watching baseball, and visiting classic car museums
What else? she is allergic to oranges

Sydney is a new undergraduate working with Greg this summer
Hometown: Pleasantville, Iowa
Major: Biology, expected graduation in 2014
Sports and Hobbies: hiking, photography, hanging with friends, traveling and dog (Winston)
What else? wants to get a graduate degree and conduct field research as a wildlife biologist

Taylor has been working for us since 2012; she is working with Greg again this summer
Hometown: Sioux City, Iowa
Major: Animal Science, expected graduation in 2015
Sports and Hobbies: movies, swimming, fishing, hiking
What else? aphids are awesome! [obvious brown-nosing attempt, but that is the correct answer!]

Tyler has been working for use since 2012; he is doing an independent study in grapes this summer
Hometown: Williamsburg, Iowa
Major: Horticulture (Fruit Production), expected graduation in 2014
Sports and Hobbies: hockey, trap shooting, golf, disc golf, boating, bonfires
What else? after college, he hopes to own his own vineyard in the midwest and make beer and wine