Our lab attended the International Union for the Study of Social Insects (IUSSI) conference in Freiburg, Germany, in August, 2026. Kaylee, Ian, and Srijan presented their research through poster presentations and had a fantastic time learning about the fascinating world of social insects and connecting with researchers from around the world.  

Kaylee presenting her work on drought adaptation in harvester ants at IUSSI in Freiburg, Germany. She received engaging feedback and thoughtful questions from fellow researchers. 

We spent the summer of 2026 collecting sexual pupae from different ant nests across Idaho, Utah and Arizona. 

Ian presented his research on colony foundation to Legislatures and cabinet members at Research on Capitol Hill. Congrats Ian!

We had a very fun evening showing our ant collection to enthusiastic kids and adults alike at Science Unwrapped organized by the College of Arts and Sciences to engage general public with the science we do at USU.  

Our lab joined the ArtSci Week Parade in March 2026 with a creative mini-float, bringing together science, art, and a little lab spirit! 

Our lab went full Halloween mode this year and built a giant ant entirely out of pumpkins! It may not bite, but it definitely turned heads in the hallway.  

Rows of neatly arranged test tubes each house a pair of Tetramorium immigrans queens, poised at the very start of their colony-founding journey. Soon, these founding pairs will drive a large-scale experiment on early colony dynamics  

With Micro-CT, we are diving deep beneath the surface, capturing internal structures with incredible precision in stunning 3D detail. Stay tuned—some seriously cool imagery is on the way! 

A Pogonomyrmex occidentalis nest close to USU campus; They build their nests in open, sunny areas with well-drained soil, often creating large cleared zones around the nest entrance by removing surrounding vegetation.  

Carson presenting his preliminary data as a poster at the Undergraduate Research Symposium organized by the USU Research Office in April 2025. 

We hosted a dinner to celebrate Kaylee joining the lab as a graduate student—welcome to the team! 

A worker head of Pogonomyrmex occidentalis showing the mandibles; the angle of the primary tooth is a key distinguishing feature of this species. 

Cultivating colonies of Pogonomyrmex barbatus in the lab using Actyl boxes as nest containers. 

One of the many scenic hiking trails in Logan, surrounded by lush greenery—just a glimpse of what this beautiful place has to offer when it comes to unwinding and reconnecting with nature. 

The snow-covered mountain slopes in Logan offer some of the best skiing opportunities in the United States, with pristine, powdery snow and breathtaking alpine views, making it a top destination for winter sports enthusiasts.  

A queen of Pogonomyrmex barbatus, one of the longest-living insect queens; is an evolutionary mystery, continuing to fascinate researchers with her longevity and role in colony dynamics. 

A colony of Pogonomyrmex rugosus, known for their efficient seed collection and foraging abilities; plays a crucial role in desert ecosystems.