Hi, I'm Jenna!

I'm a native bee researcher and pollinator outreach specialist. I am fascinated by the evolutionary ecology of the Anthropocene, particularly at the micro-habitat scale. I study biodiversity refugia and the conservation of endangered ecosystems. AKA, I like to hang out in gardens and watch bugs (particularly bees)! In my spare time, I enjoy learning new craft trades, exploring new places, playing video games with my close friends, and baking.

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Fieldwork

Manual labor in the heat of a North Carolina summer is brutal, especially if you're sweating in a bee suit! Pros: No sunscreen needed.Cons: The bees will sting you anyway.
Photo taken June 2017 while employed by Smithers Viscient LLC.

Notice how lovingly I place this bee bowl. It pains my soul, but I must trap the bees to save the bees. This study was designed by me, surveys were implemented by me, and data was analyzed by me.
Photo taken March 2019 during the sampling phase of my undergraduate research.

Get in touch with your inner child and climb some trees. Bonus points if you leave your phone in your pocket. Oh, and there's water. Really gross water.
Photo taken March 2019 while volunteering at the Charles Towne Landing Zoo.

Invertebrate Pets - not pests!

Giant Prickly stick insect Extatosoma tiaratum female mid-molt. Did you know they hang like that for over 2 hours while gravity does all the work for them? Clever girl.

(Above) Black Beauty Peruphasma schultei stick insect nymph. These guys and gals are striking. Also very picky eaters.
(Below) Extatosoma tiaratum sexual dimorphism gone wild. That weenie little guy on the left is going to have to work hard to impress that massive female on the right. And if she isn't satisfied, she can reproduce parthenogenically - no males needed.