Welcome to the EGSA website!

The Entomology Graduate Student Association is open to any person affiliated with North Carolina State University who has an interest in entomological endeavors. The objectives of the association are to provide members an opportunity to organize seminars, meetings, field trips and other functions concerned with common interests of EGSA  members. We hope you find our site useful and informative. If you have any questions please feel free to contact any of the officers.

President: Jonathan Cammack

Jonathan is a Ph.D. student under Dr. Wes Watson. He has a B.S. (2007) in Entomology and a minor in Anthropology from Texas A&M University (WHOOP!), and a M.S. (2009) in Entomology from Clemson University. His research interests include forensic entomology and biological control of filth flies. He is an active member of the Entomological Society of America, North American Forensic Entomology Association, and American Academy of Forensic Sciences. When not playing with bugs, he enjoys hiking, rock climbing, and just being outside.

Vice President: Alana Jacobson

Thrips are the center of Alana Jacobson’s focus as she pursues a Ph.D. researching onion thrips’ role in the epidemiology of a Tomato spotted wilt virus in North Carolina.  Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, she developed an interest in entomology and insect pest management in an agricultural biotechnology class and through her participation in the FFA Entomology Contest during high school.  The experiences she gained through these programs fueled her desire to continue her studies at New Mexico State University where she received a B.S in Agricultural Biology and a B.A. in Spanish.  In addition to class work, she was employed in departmental laboratories, gained valuable research experience in nematology and entomology, and participated in a year-long study abroad program in Mexico.  In 2005 she moved to West Point, IN and spent the next three years completing a M.S. in Entomology at Purdue University investigating insecticide resistance in the corn earworm.  The next leg of Alana’s eastward journey brought her to her current position here at NC State working under the direction of George Kennedy on insect vectored plant diseases.  Upon completion of her Ph.D. she looks forward to entering a career researching and solving contemporary pest management problems.  In her free time she enjoys horseback riding, hunting, quilting, and looking for cool rocks.

Secretary: Lena Guisewite

Lena Guisewite is a Veterinary Entomology Master's student with Dr. Wes Watson. Her project focuses on IPM of house and stable flies in livestock systems, but includes laboratory work on insect repellents, entomopathogenic fungi, and mechanical transmission of antibiotic resistant bacteria. She is originally from Southern California, and received her Bachelors of Science in Biology from UNC Pembroke in 2008. She interned at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences under the supervision of Dr. Colin Brammer. Lena enjoys gardening, biking, hiking, outreaches, and cooking in her spare time.  

Treasurer: Andrew Ernst

Andrew is a Master's student working with Dr. Andrew Deans, where he is working with the systematics and morphology of Megaspilinae (Hymenoptera: Ceraphronoidea). Andrew acquired his B.S. in entomology at the University of California Riverside, where he worked for the Entomology Research Museum and Dr. John Heraty working with parasitic Hymenoptera. Prior to that, Andrew completed an A.S. degree in environmental horticulture at the College of the Desert. Living in southern California gave him a great appreciation for the diversity of desert wildlife. This appreciation and exposure to systematics at UC Riverside led him to his current focus studying the diversity of insects and answering evolutionary questions. Andrew enjoys rock climbing, biking, and hiking when he is not playing with bugs (and even then he’s looking for more bugs).

Outreach Coordinator: Jessica Houle  (jlhoule@ncsu.edu; 919.332.1442)

I've always been a little different, which seems to be a prerequisite for becoming an entomologist. My atypical path begins with a BS degree in Design and Environmental Analysis at Cornell University before embarking on my MS degree in Entomology with Dr. George Kennedy. I study the epidemiology of a devastating insect-borne plant virus that causes tomato spotted wilt.  When not busy in the lab, you can find me trying some crazy challenge like juggling, rock climbing, slacklining, and in the near future, adventure racing.  I also play volleyball, facilitate at the high ropes course at NCSU, and volunteer at the Museum of Life and Science in both the Insectarium and the Exhibit Design departments.

Outreach Coordinator: Stephanie Gorski (slgorski@ncsu.edu; 919.332.1422)

Stephanie received her undergraduate degree in biology and philosophy from NC State.  She is currently pursuing a PhD under the guidance of Dr. Yasmin Cardoza.  She is investigating behavior of the western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera), and is particularly interested in its interactions with Bt corn.  Her favorite movie is Cool Hand Luke.  She is a very bad dancer but does it anyway.

Read more about the Outreach Program

Mike Duke Seminar Coordinator: David Bednar

David Bednar is currently a PhD student in Forest Entomology, under the guidance of Dr. Fred Hain, where he is investigating the mechanisms of host plant resistance to the Balsam Wooly Adelgid in Fraser Fir (save the Christmas trees!). He recently completed his Master of Science in Urban Entomology, under the advisement of Dr. Jules Silverman, where he studied behavior of an invasive ant Pachycondyla (Brachyponera) chinensis (Asian needle ant) to better understand it's competitive abilities. David received his B.S. in biology from Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon. Growing up in Oregon gave David and appreciation for the outdoors where he enjoys spending much of his time when he is not playing handball.

Mike Duke Seminar Coordinator: Sam Marshall

Sam is a master’s student under the direction of Dr. David Orr where his project is looking at how insect diversity is impacted and affected by lawn plant diversity.  Sam graduated from Appalachian State University with a degree in Environmental Biology and Ecology in 2008.  After graduation, Sam moved to Wells, Nevada where he worked as a technician in Range Ecology.  When not studying insects, Sam enjoys hiking, backpacking, fishing, mountain biking, photography, and reading.