Lab Members
Dr. Whitney Cranshaw
Primary Investigator, Faculty Instructor, Professor of Entomology, and Extension Specialist
Whitney Cranshaw
College of Agricultural Sciences
Department of Agricultural Biology
Bio:
Rachael Sitz
Graduate Student:
M.S., Entomology with Dr. Whitney Cranshaw
Ph.D., Plant Pathology with Dr. Jane Stewart
Contact: rachael.sitz@colostate.edu
Bio: “I am currently a Ph.D. Candidate advised by Drs. Whitney Cranshaw and Jane Stewart at Colorado State University. I integrate basic plant pathology and entomology to explore how phytopathogens and insects interact to cause disease. My two study systems are thousand cankers disease of black walnut and drippy blight disease of red oaks, and I am currently studying the epidemiology of the diseases, life history of the causal agents, and management practices. I have also been involved in studies to document insecticide resistance in the European elm scale, and determine alternative chemical control methods. In my free time, I love to read science fiction/fantasy books and garden.”
Dr. Matt Camper
Faculty Instructor/Professor in Entomology
Contact: matt.camper@colostate.edu
Bio:
Rasha Al-akeel
Graduate Student:
Ph.D., Entomology with Dr. Whitney Cranshaw and Dr. Boris Kondratieff
Contact: rkma@rams.colostate.edu
Bio:
Melissa Schreiner
Graduate Student:
M.S., Entomology with Dr. Whitney Cranshaw
Contact: schreinm@rams.colostate.edu
Bio: “After completing my undergraduate degree in Soil and Crop Sciences at CSU, I committed to a Masters degree in Entomology advised by Dr. Whitney Cranshaw at Colorado State University. My undergraduate research involved bee visitation on native/invasive plants, bee taxonomy, and Japanese beetle damage on Roses. My graduate degree will concentrate on the insect biodiversity of industrial hemp crop in the western US. I also survey Colorado state hwy corridors with CDOT for pollinator abundance and the flowering plants present so that we can develop and conserve roadside habitat. My passions are foraging, backpacking, biking, and I love spending time in my garden. Please visit our Hemp Insects Website for more information on current research projects!”
Zach Longtine
Graduate Student:
M.S., Entomology with Dr. Cranshaw
Contact: zlongtin@ramscolostate.edu
Bio:
“After receiving a BS in Agriculture and Natural Resources from the University of Delaware, I’ve come to CSU to receive my Masters degree with Dr. Whitney Cranshaw as my advisor. My masters research involves performing biodiversity surveys on invasive plants to find which pests and beneficial insect might be using them as overwintering or ‘bridge habitat’. I’ve also just recently gotten involved in a study on predatory insect attractants. I also have experience rearing predatory stinkbugs, Colorado potato beetles, and Mexican bean beetles through my undergrad projects. I’ve also previously engaged in some wildlife conservation work, both in the United States and abroad. My interests include, but are certainly not limited to hiking, camping, writing, and learning about world history.”
Erika Peirce
Graduate Student:
M.S., Ecology with Dr. Frank Peairs and Dr. Paul Ode
Contact: epeirce@rams.colostate.edu
Bio: “My name is Erika Peirce, I am currently a Graduate student in the Department of Ecology. I graduated with an undergraduate degree in Horticulture at Colorado State University. During my three years at CSU, I worked in Dr. Cranshaw’s lab as a lab assistant doing various projects. My main one being parasitic wasps of European Elm Scale which I am continuing as a side project to my Master’s degree. I am currently studying parasitoids of Wheat Stem Sawfly and their distribution in Colorado. Random fact about me is I always wanted to be a Lepidopterist.”
Wendlin Burns
Undergraduate Lab Tech:
B.S., Biology; Concentrating in Botany
Contact: wendlin97@gmail.com
Bio: I am a senior at CSU pursuing an undergraduate degree in biology with a botany concentration. In the Cranshaw lab I have assisted in horticultural research at ARDEC, hemp insect diversity research with a focus on arachnid biodiversity, and a number of pollinator surveys. My passion is plant sciences, spider taxonomy and mycology with an interest in insect interactions in both fields. After I graduate, I hope to get involved in agricultural work. In my free time I enjoy hiking, camping, gardening and training taijiquan.
