Melissa Sanchez Herrera and I are organizing a Sys-EB Section symposium for the 2019 EntSoc meeting in St. Louis, MO.
The symposium is entitled:
Bugs in Technicolor: How Color Research Advocates for Entomology
The reflection and emission of light from insect surfaces has both fascinated and inspired entomologists and the general public for centuries. The goal for our symposium is to provide a setting in which to discuss color research and its use in public outreach initiatives that aim to inspire insect curiosity and advocate for entomology. We have talks that will be given by entomologists from different continents / countries working on diverse, ingenuitive projects that incorporate insect coloration components including production, structures, perception and selection.
In addition to these talks, we intend to have an electronic exhibit of images, illustrations, and videos that fulfill these criteria and we are thus seeking submissions for this endeavor.
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If you are interested in including an image please fill out the form below and upload your image / video!
CURRICULUM VITAE
EDUCATION
Doctor of Philosophy - Entomology
Summer 2016 (Expected)
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
New Brunswick, NJ
Dissertation: Physiological Color Change in Response to Mating-Associated Behaviors in Mature Argia apicalis Males Operating as Camouflage During Copulation and Oviposition (Odonata: Coenagrionidae)
PhD Committee: Michael May, PhD (advisor & chair), Jessica Ware, PhD, Cesar Rodriguez-Saona, PhD, John Abbott, PhD
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey New Brunswick, NJ
PhD Research Fall 2010 – present
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Designed and constructed a large in situ netted enclosure in order to study the mating behavior of Argia apicalis in a natural environment
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Performed a photographic mark-recapture survey to determine the frequency of mating-associated physiological color change exhibited by male Argia apicalis
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Tested camouflage efficacy via the creation of a mechanical binary choice device that mimicked natural damselfly movements
James Cook University Townsville, Qld, Australia
Independent Study Spring 2006
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Determined the species distribution and population size of lynx spiders (Oxyopidae)
University of Rhode Island, Graduate School of Oceanography Kingston, RI
Undergraduate Senior Project Spring 2004
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Performed habitat and risk assessments to aid the Northern Diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin terrapin) conservation efforts in Rhode Island, by analyzing current environmental, scavenger and human risk factors, and cross referencing them against Rhode Island USGS reports to determine ideal nesting locations
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Wrote a report on the feasibility of introducing a new breeding population into RI’s Narrow River, and presented it at the 2004 Annual Rhode Island Natural History Survey Conference
Laboratory Technician Fall 2003 – Spring 2004
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Identified genera, sex, and instar of Atlantic zooplankton (mainly Copepoda) as part of a multi-year effort to determine the abundance and spatial distribution of zooplankton on Georges Bank
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Participated in a two week URI GSO/NOAA specimen collection trip on Georges Bank during January 2004 in extremely cold and rough open water conditions
James Cook University Townsville, Qld, Australia
Independent Study ​ ​ Spring 2002
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Observed and recorded aggressive and territorial behavioral patterns exhibited by green tree weaver ants, Oecophylla smaragdina
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Generated an ethogram for aggressive behaviors in order to analyze interactions between, and within, the colony
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey New Brunswick, NJ
Biological Research Laboratory ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Spring 2014 – Fall 2015
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Fostered a supportive, discussion-based environment that encouraged students to openly participate, ask, and answer questions without concern for judgement
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Aided students’ in learning the basics of hypothesis-based science by using real-life examples and situations as metaphors with which they could relate
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Created diagrams, images, and charts that helped students to understand concepts and not simply memorize answers
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Working in small groups, trained students to perform, fully comprehend, and understand the importance of several molecular biology techniques, including DNA isolation and purification, polymerase chain reactions, gel electrophoresis, and DNA sequence analysis
Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II Fall 2011 – Fall 2013
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Generated laboratory lessons, exercises, and hand-on activities that encouraged small group learning, and provided students with the opportunity to ask and answer their own questions and teach one another
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Used videos, diagrams, models, and interactive discussion to engage students and help them to identify and understand the functions and interactions associated with the different parts of the human body
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Utilized dissection of different organisms, along with hand-drawn, color-coded coloring pages and diagrams, to teach comparative anatomy and illustrate differences between human and other organismal anatomy
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Created handouts, online learning resources, quizzes, and practical exams that required students to integrate knowledge from different parts of the course
General Biology I and II Fall 2010 – Spring 2011
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Used hands-on, in-class activities to teach students basic cellular biology, genetics, evolution, ecology, and taxonomy
University of New England Portland, ME
Introductory Anatomy and Physiology Fall 2009
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Prepared and taught a detailed curriculum using a mix of hands-on group activities, coupled with thought-provoking homework assignments, and comprehensive exams.
PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE
University of New England, College of Health Professions Portland, ME
Staff Assistant March 2007 – March 2010
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Generated and maintained numerous Access databases on faculty salaries, contracts, and tenure appointment status and schedules
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Coordinated laboratory space and access for all faculty and students
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Monitored and maintained laboratory equipment inventories
Katahdin Analytical Scarborough, ME
Analytical Chemist October 2006 – March 2007
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Tested soil and water samples to determine the absence/presence of specific chemicals, ions, and other organic compounds
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Validated data and generated reports on a routine basis
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Verified the accuracy of the laboratory operating procedures
PUBLICATIONS IN PREPARATION
Whispell, A.M., May, M.L. and Bauman, M. (in preparation). Physiological Color Change in Response to Mating-Associated Behaviors in Mature Argia apicalis Males (Odonata: Coenagrionidae).
Whispell, A.M., May, M.L. and Schultz, T.D. (in preparation). Mating-Associated Physiological Color Change Acts as Camouflage for Argia apicalis Males (Odonata: Coenagrionidae).
INVITED TALKS
Whispell, A.M. November 2015. Physiological Color Change in Response to Mating-Associated Behaviours in Mature Argia apicalis Males (Odonata: Coenagrionidae). Oral presentation. International Congress of Odonatology semiannual meeting, La Plata, Argentina.
Whispell, A.M. June 2015. Mating-Associated Physiological Color Change in Argia apicalis (Odonata: Coenagrionidae). Oral presentation. Dragonfly Society of the Americas annual meeting, State College PA.
Whispell, A.M. November 2014. Copulation-Associated Color Change in Argia apicalis (Odonata: Coenagrionidae). Oral presentation. Entomological Society of America (ESA) annual meeting, Portland, OR
Whispell, A.M. 2004. Foundation of a New Breeding Population of Diamondback Terrapins, Malaclemys terrapin terrapin on the Narrow River, in Nararagansett, Rhode Island. Oral presentation. Annual Rhode Island Natural History Survey Conference, Providence, Rhode Island.
REFEREED CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
November 2014. TMP’s, SysEB Section: Behavior and Life History. Entomological Society of America (ESA) annual meeting, Portland, OR.
HONORS AND AWARDS
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Rutgers University, Department of Entomology Headlee Graduate Research Fellowship Spring 2016
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Graduate Entomology Student Association Travel Award Fall 2015
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Rutgers University Teaching Assistant and Graduate Assistant Professional Development Fund Award Summer 2015
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Rutgers University Graduate School Travel Award Fall 2014 and Summer 2015
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
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Entomological Society of America (EntSoc) - Member
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Systematics, Evolution, and Biodiversity (SysEB) Section Representative on the EntSoc Student Affairs Committee
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SysEB Representative judge for the EntSoc STEP Teaching Award - Member
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Dragonfly Society of the Americas - Member
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Word Dragonfly Association - Member
CERTIFICATIONS AND ADDITIONAL SKILLS
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Open water diving certification
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Talented biological illustrator, (macro-) photographer, and graphic designer
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Specific training and expertise with Hummer X Sputtering System and Hitachi S510 Scanning Electron Microscope