Chance Hudnall 

Louisiana State University

Chance Hudnall is an M.S. student in the Ashbrook urban entomology lab at Louisiana State University. He earned his B.S. from Oregon State University, where his research focused on integrated pest management in grass seed crops. At Louisiana State University, his research investigates the operational barriers and knowledge gaps faced by private pest management professionals in managing disease vectors across the Gulf Coast region. This work is conducted in collaboration with the Gulf South VECTOR initiative and includes a regional needs assessment to inform the development of future educational and training resources. In addition to his research, Chance supports extension outreach by assisting with urban and peri-domestic pest management inquiries and contributing educational writing through the LSU AgCenter.

Tzu-Chia Chen

University of California Riverside

Joanne Tzu-Chia Chen is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Entomology at the University of California, Riverside. She earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Biology from National Changhua University of Education in Taiwan. Her research explores the biology and evolution of social insects, specifically ants and termites, with a focus on investigating the mechanisms that lead a species to become a pest. By addressing fundamental biological questions, she aims to provide insights with direct implications for pest management. Since joining Dr. Chow-Yang Lee’s lab in 2023, her doctoral research has focused on the systematics of the subterranean termite genus Reticulitermes. Through this work, she aims to resolve long standing identification challenges within the group—a crucial first step for species-specific pest management. 

Aradhana Shrestha

University of Hawai'i at Manoa

Aradhana Shrestha is a second-year master’s student in the Urban and Medical Entomology Laboratory in the Department of Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. She received her B.S. in Agriculture from the Agriculture and Forestry University, Nepal. Her research focuses on urban pest management, with particular emphasis on invasive ant species in Hawaii. She currently works on the little fire ant (Wasmannia auropunctata), investigating its food preference, intraspecific interactions, and population genetic structure across different Hawaiian Islands, with the goal of developing sustainable and eco-friendly pest management strategies. Her research is motivated by a commitment to environmentally responsible pest management and to contributing work that integrates ecology, management, and sustainability in pest management systems. 

Bandana Shrestha

University of Kentucky

Babatunji Daramola

Rutgers University

Babatunji (Tunji) Daramola is a second-year master’s student and graduate researcher in Dr. Changlu Wang’s Urban Entomology Laboratory at Rutgers University–New Brunswick. He earned his Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) in Biology and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Nigeria and brings over seven years of relevant professional experience bridging science, management, and applied problem-solving. His current research focuses on Norway rat ectoparasites and their public health risks, as well as the evaluation of insecticide efficacy against bed bugs and bat bugs. Tunji’s work integrates field surveillance, laboratory analysis, and applied research to generate evidence-based solutions for pest management professionals and the public. He currently serves as Vice President of the Rutgers Graduate Entomology Student Association (GESA) and is actively involved in outreach and extension programs, helping educate communities on entomology and effective pest management strategies. His work reflects a strong commitment to protecting human health and advancing the pest management industry. 

Samantha Dilday

Washington State University

Sam Dilday, a PhD student at Washington State University, specializes in studying the odorous house ant (OHA), a common urban pest. With a biology degree from George Mason University and a Master’s in Environmental Science from Memorial University of Newfoundland, Sam brings a solid academic background to her research. Since relocating to Washington, she collaborates closely with pest management operators in the Pacific Northwest, focusing on understanding OHA resilience in urban environments. Her current research focuses on OHA colonies' starvation resistance and queens' reproductive systems. Beyond academia, Sam is an avid scientific illustrator, having published numerous works. Her goal is to inform the pest management community and contribute to the development of effective Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies against the OHA.

Kiara Ivy

Florida A&M University

Kiara Ivy is a 2nd year Master’s student of Entomology at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. She is from Gainesville, FL. Her current research is “Assessing the Establishment and Spread of Natural Enemies of The Red Imported Fire Ant [Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)] in Northwest Florida.” These natural enemies include parasitoids, microsporidia, and insect-killing fungi. With this research she helps local organic farmers deal with their fire ant mounds. Kiara currently serves as FAMU Entomology Club of Excellence President for the 2023-2024 academic year. She is also heavily involved in her local community helping educate and mentoring the youth in entomology, biology, and other STEM-related fields. Outside of research, she is pursuing athletic endeavors for Trinidad and Tobago as a pole vaulter. Her future career goals include going into urban pest management focusing on biological control and developing novel pesticides and biopesticides.

Isabelle Lucer

University of Kentucky

Isabelle Lucero is a recent graduate from the University of Kentucky with a Master of Science degree in entomology. She completed her B.S. in environment and natural resources with a minor in entomology at Clemson University. While at the University of Kentucky, Isabelle studied cockroaches in the DeVries urban entomology lab and investigated how cockroach gel baits perform over time and in different environments. Her ongoing work with the DeVries lab investigates how cockroach bait placement affects bait detection. Isabelle has always been interested in insects and takes pride in the fact that her research will not only help PMPs perform more sustainable cockroach control but will also improve human health through the management of indoor cockroaches.

Simona Principato

University of Kentucky

Simona Principato is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Entomology at the University of Kentucky. She obtained her B.S. in Biotechnology at the Università degli Studi di Perugia (Italy) and her M.S. in Entomology at Harper Adams University (United Kingdom). She is currently working with bed bugs in the Urban Entomology lab with Dr. DeVries, focusing on the possible health impact of bed bug-derived histamine, mitigation strategies, and bed bug control. In the pursuit of her academic endeavors, she is dedicated to broadening her knowledge and research expertise with the goal of positively contributing to the pest management industry.

Sangwoo Seok

University of Florida

I am a third-year PhD student at Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida. I received my bachelor's and master’s degrees from Korea University, South Korea in 2016 and 2018, respectively. I studied aquatic insects at Korea University and entered the University of Florida to study mosquitoes advised by Dr. Yoosook Lee. Presently, my research is focused on understanding Aedes mosquitoes, which are vectors of various arboviruses, using population genomic approaches in the Pacific region to inform stakeholders involved in novel mosquito control strategies. I’m also studying invasive mosquitoes spreading to other countries from South Korea.

Ben Grady 

University of Kentucky

Ben Grady is a Ph.D. candidate in the DeVries Urban Entomology Lab at the University of Kentucky. He got his undergraduate degrees in entomology and biology from the University of Georgia. At UK, he does research on a multitude of different urban pests, including bed bugs, German cockroaches, and Turkestan cockroaches. His research is mostly focused on the behavior of these pests and how we can elucidate patterns in this behavior that allow us to most effectively control them.

Brynn Johnson

University of Florida

Brynn Johnson is a PhD student at the University of Florida in Entomology and Nematology with a Geography minor. Her research focuses on managing the corn silk fly to improve crop yields. She holds a Master’s in Entomology and Nematology, specializing in honeybee health, and a Bachelor’s in Psychology. Brynn is an adjunct instructor at Palm Beach State College and Indian River State College, teaching Pest Management, Environmental Science, and Biology. She is an active member of several professional organizations, with a passion for teaching, research, and agricultural outreach.

Jin-Jia Yu

Rutgers University

Jin-Jia Yu is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Entomology at Rutgers University. He received B.S. (2017) and M.S. (2020) degrees in Entomology from National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan. Jin-Jia brings a solid academic background to his current research. Since working with Dr. Changlu Wang in 2021, he collaborated closely with local housing authorities focusing on the management of urban pests in apartment buildings. He is currently investigating the mechanisms of insecticide resistance in bed bugs and the prevalence of ectoparasites on rodents. He has published five peer-reviewed journal articles in entomology.

Morgan Wilson

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Morgan Wilson is a final year Ph.D. candidate from Virginia Tech’s Department of Entomology. She earned her B.S. in Wildlife Science at Virginia Tech, and her M.S. in Plant and Soil Science from Texas Tech. Prior to her Ph.D, Morgan had a career in wildlife management, including nuisance wildlife and rodent control. It was while working for Critter Control as a field technician that Morgan stepped her foot into insect pest management. She is currently studying the efficacy of different methodologies to control bed bug eggs. In addition to her research, Morgan provides extension expertise in urban pest management.

Tabeth Mwema

Auburn University

I am Tabeth Mwema, a Ph.D. candidate in Wildlife Science at Auburn University, specializing in mosquito ecology and vector control strategies. Originally from Zambia, I study how landscapes shape mosquito movements and genetic diversity to predict disease spread. With a master's in Medical Entomology from the University of Namibia, I have led interdisciplinary projects supporting malaria elimination efforts in Namibia. These experiences have deepened my commitment to collaboration and leadership, which I continue to build upon as the Vice President of the Graduate Student Association for my college and as my laboratory’s intern manager. My published work, recognized for its potential impact on public health and the pest management industry, reflects my dedication to understanding mosquito behavior and ecology to develop sustainable solutions for combating mosquito-borne diseases through genetics and innovative modeling tools.