• B.Sc. (Honors Biology), Carleton University, Ottawa ON, 1989
• M.Sc. (Zoology), University of Toronto, Toronto ON, 1992
• Ph.D. (Biology), Simon Fraser University, Burnaby BC, 1998
• Postdoctoral Fellow (Honorary Killam Postdoctoral Fellowship, NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship), University of Alberta, Edmonton AB, 1998-2000
  
  
  

• B191 – General Biology I

• B192 – General Biology II (zoology section)
• Z305 – Entomology
• B426 – Insect Ecology
  
  

I am interested in the behavior and evolutionary ecology of insects and their populations.  My projects typically involve the development of a theoretical framework (based upon biological/evolutionary principles) to derive testable hypotheses.  These hypotheses are then subject to investigation in the field and/or laboratory.  Using this approach I have studied avariety of topics which include: insect-mediated pollination in slickspot peppergrass, seed predation on slickspot peppergrass by harvester ants, predator-prey relationships between crab spiders and insects, host choice decisions in bark beetles, and the function and duration of parental care in subsocial insects. 

Matt Schmasow. MS Biology candidate. Matt is studying the foraging decisions of the Owyhee harvester ant, Pogonomyrmex salinus, with particular emphasis on the consequences for slickspot peppergrass.

Joshua White. MS Biology 2009. “Seed predation on slickspot peppergrass by the Owyhee harvester ant.” Josh was the recipient of Boise State’s “Distinguished Masters Thesis” Award for 2009.

Kristine Barney. MA Biology 2009. Project: Using Frequent Low-Stakes Testing as a Learning Tool in an Introductory Biology Course.

Wyatt Williams. MS Biology 2007. “Host selection in the Douglas-fir beetle following extended periods of flight: the effect of depleted fat reserves on pioneer behavior.”

Stephanie Billinge. MS Biology 2006. “Reproductive performance as a function of outcrossing distance in Lepidium papilliferum (Brassicaceae), a rare plant endemic to southwest Idaho.”

Amy Stillman. MS Biology 2006. “Population genetics and mating system of the rare polyploid, Lepidium papilliferum (Brassicaceae), a southwestern Idaho endemic.”

Hollie Leavitt. MS Biology 2006. "Pollination and florivory by insects visiting Lepidium papilliferum (Brassicaceae) flowers"

I have several ongoing projects in the area of pollination biology and seed predation in slickspot peppergrass, a rare mustard endemic to southwestern Idaho.  I am also open to considering other projects involving insect ecology and behavior.  Please contact me for updates on research opportunities and the availability of teaching assistantships.

1. Interactions between insects and slickspot peppergrass (Lepidium papilliferum), a rare mustard endemic to southwest Idaho. Research topics include insect-mediated pollination, seed predation by harvester ants, herbivory, and predator-prey interactions between crab spiders and the insects that pollinate L. papilliferum flowers.
   
   
2. Mating system and population genetics of slickspot peppergrass.
   -the importance of outcrossing to fruit set in slickspot peppergrass
   -population genetics of slickspot peppergrass (collaboration with Drs. S. Novak and J. Smith)
   
   
3. Host choice decisions in bark beetles (Scolytinae).  Some bark beetles are a serious threat to the health of forests throughout North America because of their ability to mass colonize and kill healthy trees.  I am interested in developing a general understanding of host choice decisions in bark beetles, as well as exploring the link between the individual host choice decisions and the dynamics of mass colonization on host trees.  A part of this research involves looking at the effects of flight on fat utilization and its consequences for host choice decisions.