I’m a field ecologist who uses molecular approaches to address questions about the population and trophic ecology of the invasive fire ant Solenopsis invicta. This species is an aggressive and generalist consumer that can outnumber and outcompete native species of ants and, consequently, it may monopolize food resources.

My students and I have documented fire ants in every natural wetland we have examined, more than a dozen wetlands (e.g., longleaf pine savannas) in southeastern North Carolina. We have observed both monogyne (single queen) and polygyne (multiple queen) colonies, and colony densities in a few of these wetlands are comparable to densities in altered areas lacking native fauna and flora. This is not good news. These wetlands are among the most pristine wetlands in the state, important biodiversity hotspots and refugia for rare species.

During a brief research sabbatical in the Corbin Jones Lab (UNC Chapel Hill), I began exploring trophic effects and prey choice by way of next-generation sequencing, a powerful genomics technology that can detect DNA in partially digested prey. Trophic effects are likely to be complex; fire ants may function simultaneously as predators, herbivores, and scavengers, and both consume and compete with species across multiple trophic levels. Using field and laboratory approaches, collaborators and I plan to test hypotheses that fire ants are drivers of ecosystem change, given their effects on belowground and aboveground processes.

I have mentored several undergraduate researchers, and I encourage highly motivated students to join me in asking really cool questions about fire ants. I have opportunities for students to do floristic research and to undertake phylogenetic studies.

Since joining the Biology faculty, I have established (with the help of students) the UNC Pembroke Herbarium (PEMB ), which contains ~ 4500 vouchers, mostly from North Carolina and the efforts of the late Albert Radford (UNC Chapel Hill) and his colleagues. This collection has been digitized (courtesy of Alexander Krings of NC State University) and is available on the SERNEC website. I have taught several undergraduate courses, but my favorites are Conservation Biology, Principles of Ecology, and Plant Systematics. I truly hope I'm successful in the classroom, in bringing to light the beauty and complexity of life and of the role of science in understanding nature.