Research Experience

2024 Annual General Meeting for the Entomological Society of America

Phoenix Convention Center (PCC), Phoenix AZ

Presented a 10-minute oral presentation on the efficacy of chlorantraniliprole and the modernization of true armyworm (Mythimna unipuncta) economic thresholds for Ontario based on field work conducted from May-July of 2023.

2024 School of Environmental Science Graduate Symposium

University of Guelph, Guelph ON

Poster presentation on the plant-to-plant movement of western bean cutworm (Striacosta albicosta) in structured and integrated refuge systems in a controlled environment.

2023 Annual General Meeting for the Entomological Society of America

Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, National Harbor, MD

Presented a 10-minute oral presentation on the efficacy of chlorantraniliprole and the modernization of true armyworm (Mythimna unipuncta) economic thresholds for Ontario based on field work conducted from May-July of 2023.

2023 Entomological Society of Ontario Annual General Meeting

University of Guelph Arboretum, Guelph ON

Presented a 10-minute oral presentation on the modernization of true armyworm (Mythimna unipuncta) economic thresholds for Ontario based on field work conducted from May-July of 2023.

2020 One Health Photo Challenge

University of Global Health Equity, Rwanda 

Performed a group presentation for a Photo Voice submission to colleagues from Western University, University of Rwanda, and University of Global Health Equity

2020 Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Research Day

Western University, London ON

Presented undergraduate thesis entitled Land-Based Therapy: How it Affects Indigenous Well-Being and Mental Health in Canada, New Zealand, and Australia to 19 judges and colleagues from Western University

2019 One Health Poster Day

University of Guelph, Guelph ON 

Presented research on the Walkerton Water Crisis to colleagues from Western University, McMaster University, and the University of Guelph 

Western Bean Cutworm Retention Study

April 2024

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service, Maricopa AZ

Learn and performed Dr. James Hagler's novel mark-recapture technique using sandwich ELISA on western bean cutworm reared artificially in a lab. 

Western Bean Cutworm Movement Trial

May 2022 – Aug 2024

University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus, Ridgetown ON

Small plot experiment comparing the effect of full Bt, full non-Bt and refuge-in-a-bag plots on larval movement and survival in Southern Ontario.

Western Bean Cutworm Diet Optimization Study

July 2022 – May 2024

University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus, Ridgetown ON

Laboratory diet experiment comparing the effect different protein to carbohydrate ratios on the survial and fecundity of WBC to develop and effective bioassay and laboratory rearing diet.

Western Bean Cutworm Overwintering Survival Trial

May 2022 – May 2025

University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus, Ridgetown ON

Small plot experiment to determine the overwintering success of WBC in southern Ontario in full Bt, full non-Bt and refuge-in-a-bag plots in Southern Ontario.

True Armyworm Insecticidal Protein Overlay Bioassay

Sept 2023 – Nov 2024

University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus, Ridgetown ON

Make artificial diet followed by protein dilutions, larval infestations, and assessments of various pesticidal active ingredients to test larval survival at multiple concentrations.

True Armyworm Winter and Spring Wheat Trial

April 2023 – July 2024

University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus, Ridgetown ON

Conduct field experiments in 2022 and 2023 to assess insecticide efficacy and application timing in response to TAW infestation densities in winter and spring wheat in Ridgetown, ON Canada.

European Corn Borer Bt-protein Overlay Bioassay

Sept 2022 – Apr 2023

University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus, Ridgetown ON

Perform protein dilutions, larval infestations, and assessments of various biopesticide active ingredients to test larval survival at multiple concentrations. Larvae have been collected and reared from across Canada.

European Corn Borer Vegetative Tissue Bioassay

May 2022 – Jul 2022

University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus, Ridgetown ON

Grow various Bt strains of field corn in a greenhouse to perform vegetative bioassays. Perform larval infestations and assessments to test larval survival at multiple concentrations. Larvae have been collected and reared from across Canada.

European Corn Borer Genetic Testing

Sept 2022 – Feb 2023

University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus, Ridgetown ON

Laboratory biological extractions, dilutions, PCR, and gel imaging to assess the phenotypes of EBC larvae collected across Canada from various commercial crops.

Black Cutworm Insecticidal Treatment Efficacy Trial

Aug 2022 & Aug 2023

University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus, Ridgetown ON

Set up, artificially infest, and assess the effect of eight insecticidal seed treatments on the survival and feeding behaviour of Black Cutworm fourth instar larvae on field corn in Southern Ontario.

European Corn Borer Genetic Testing

May 2022 & May 2023

University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus, Ridgetown ON

Laboratory extractions, dilutions, PCR, and gel imaging to assess phenotypes of EBC larvae collected across Canada.

Systematic Review

Sept 2020 – April 2021

Western University, London ON

Land-Based Therapy: How it Affects Indigenous Well-Being and Mental Health in Canada, New Zealand, and Australia

Systematic review performed under supervision of Dr. Gerald McKinley