People

Amelia Lindsey

Assistant Professor, Department of Entomology

Postdoc, Indiana University
PhD, University of California Riverside
BA, San José State University

Twitter: @Amelia_Lindsey, alindsey [at] umn [dot] edu, CV.

I am broadly interested in symbiosis, from mutualism to parasitism, but especially like thinking about complex inter-species interactions that are difficult to place on that spectrum. I try to understand a biological system across different scales and resolutions by connecting genomic and evolutionary data to molecular mechanisms. Wolbachia has grabbed my attention due to the context-dependent nature of its interaction with insects, and the seemingly endless ways it affects insect biology.

Laura Fricke

PhD Student, Entomology

UMN DOVE Fellow
BS, Augsburg University, summa cum laude
Email: frick146 [at] umn [dot] edu

Laura graduated from Augsburg University in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in biology and a minor in studio art. She is interested in comparative genomics as well as evolutionary developmental biology. Outside of the lab she may be found watercolor painting the natural world.

Megan Jones

MS Student, Entomology

Entomology Excellence Fellow
BS, Iowa State University, magna cum laude
Email: jone3187 [at] umn [dot] edu

Megan graduated from Iowa State University in 2020 with a BS in microbiology. Megan’s research interests include Wolbachia genetics, gene regulation, and interaction with host insects. She is also interested in fluorescent imaging and microscopy. Her activities outside of the lab include nature photography, jewelry making, mountain biking, and tending to her tropical vivariums.

Sarah Lisak

MS Student, Entomology (Co-advised with Dr. Bob Koch)

BA, Augustana College, magna cum laude
Email: lisak007 [at] umn [dot] edu

Sarah graduated Augustana College in 2020 with a BA in Biology and Environmental Studies and a minor in Music. She is interested in insect interactions in food systems. Her research is focused on beginning implementation of biological control for soybean gall midge (Resseliella maxima), a new pest of soybean. Sarah will perform molecular assays to quantify and assess predation and parasitism on the soybean gall midge. Outside of the lab, she enjoys playing her flute, cooking, gardening and exploring the great outdoors.

Gloria Melotto

MS Student, Entomology (Co-advised with Dr. Bob Koch)

BA, UNESP Botucatu, Agronomic Engineering
Email: melot008 [at] umn [dot] edu

Gloria is an international student from Brazil that is interested in finding more sustainable solutions for pest management in crops. Her research is focused on characterizing the impact of natural enemies on populations of soybean gall midge (Resseliella maxima), a new pest in Midwestern states. She will perform molecular assays to assess parasitism and predation on soybean gall midge as a part of her research. Outside of the lab, she likes to spend her time reading novels, running, and doing outdoor activities.

Alumni