Impostor Syndrome, Bias, and Doubt: Overcoming Barriers to Honoring All Entomologists
Despite an increasingly diverse profession, awards and recognition in entomology are not diversifying accordingly. What's to blame, and how can we improve? One entomologist issues a call to action for the entomological community to commit to lifting up and honoring the achievements of students and professionals from underrepresented groups in our field.
Marine to Myrmecologist: One Entomologist’s Journey to Understand and Conserve Native Biodiversity
Meet Jackson Helms IV, Ph.D., postdoctoral researcher at the Kellogg Biological Station at Michigan State University, whose research focuses on how restoring intensive agriculture to native vegetation maximizes the ecosystem services of insects; how dispersal tradeoffs shape population dynamics, species interactions, and the evolution of life histories; and how to conserve and protect landscapes. Jackson is the subject of the next installment of our "Standout Early Career Professionals" series.
Iral Ragenovich: A Career Devoted to Caring for the Land and Serving People
A trailblazer for women in forestry, the U.S. Forest Service's Iral Ragenovich has worked on managing more than a dozen different forest pests in her 46-year career. Get to know Ragenovich in the next installment in Entomology Today's "Behind the Science" series.
How Three Entomologists Found Careers in Industry
Three entomologists share stories from careers outside of the academic track.
How to Find the Right Mentor for Your Entomology Career
At every career stage, we need mentors to help us improve our personal and professional skillsets and provide insights on areas such as research, teaching, time management, writing, and more. Entomology Ph.D. candidate Jocelyn Holt shares tips on how to find, identify, and begin a working relationship with a career mentor.
How a Childhood Project Inspired a Life-Long Career
Meet Michael Skvarla, Ph.D., extension entomologist and director of the Insect Identification Laboratory at Penn State University, whose career path began with a Cub Scout insect-collection project. Skvarla is the subject of the next edition of our "Standout Early Career Professionals" series.
How One Entomologist Looks to Fossil Ants to Answer Big Biology Questions
Meet Phillip Barden, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, an expert in fossil ant species and the evolutionary lessons they teach us, and subject of the next edition of our "Standout Early Career Professionals" series.
How an “Accidental Entomologist” Connects Disparate Fields to Study Insect Ecology
Meet Manu Saunders, Ph.D., postdoctoral research fellow at the University of New England, Australia, expert in insect community ecology and ecosystem services, and subject of the next installment of our "Standout Early Career Professionals" series.
One Entomologist’s Quest: To Keep Insect Colonies Alive and Students Curious
Meet Carmen Blubaugh, Ph.D., assistant professor at Clemson University, researcher in insect ecology and biological control of crop pests, and subject of the next edition of our "Standout Early Career Professionals" series.
Out of the Frying Pan and Into the Fire: Becoming an Early-Career Entomologist
For entomology students making the move to science careers, this time of transition can pose a variety of new challenges. New doctoral graduate Lina Bernaola shares her experience as she steps into the next stage as an early-career professional.
How One Entomologist Found His Calling as an IPM Facilitator
Meet Alejandro Del Pozo-Valdivia, Ph.D., IPM entomology advisor at the University of California Cooperative Extension, connector of grower and research communities, and subject of the next installment of our "Standout Early Career Professionals" series.
Why One Insect Toxicologist Aims to Explore the Unexplored
Meet Daniel Swale, Ph.D., assistant professor of entomology at Louisiana State University, whose research works to uncover novel biochemical targets in insects for potential application in pesticides. Swale is the subject of the next installment of our "Standout Early Career Professionals" series.
How Studying Sociality in Bees Shapes One Entomologist’s Role in Society
Meet Hollis Woodard, Ph.D., assistant professor of entomology at the University of California, Riverside, expert in bumble bee sociality, passionate ambassador for public science outreach, and the subject of the next installment of our "Standout Early Career Professionals" series.
Diversity and Inclusion in Entomology: Keeping People in the Pipeline
For the entomological profession to maximize inclusivity, leaders in the field must work to build welcoming environments for aspiring and early-career entomologists from all backgrounds. A symposium at the 2018 Joint Annual Meeting gathered perspectives on how entomologists can work to reduce bias and create safe workspaces.
How the Mighty Mite Conquered the Heart of One Entomologist
Meet Rebecca Schmidt-Jeffris, Ph.D., assistant professor at Clemson University, expert in biological control in fruit crops, a big fan of mites, and the subject of the next installment of our "Standout Early Career Professionals" series.
Why Both Teaching and Learning Drew One Entomologist Back to Academia
Meet Scott O'Neal, Ph.D., postdoctoral researcher and instructor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, specialist in insect physiology and immune function, and subject of the next installment of our "Standout Early Career Professionals" series.