2026 projects

1. On the move: Examining the dispersal of onion thrips through agricultural landscapes

Generalist insect pests disperse between crops throughout agroecosystems in response to factors like plant availability and quality. Determining the source of insect pest populations can improve pest management by allowing growers to predict the timing and location of outbreaks in commercial farms. In this project, we will collect onion thrips, a significant pest of onion in New York, from farms involving field work 2-3 days/week. One project aim is to identify thrips species that land on sticky cards from the field using a microscope in the lab. The second aim is to use molecular gut content analysis to identify plant DNA in the insects to pinpoint their source. We hope to understand if onion thrips have moved into onion fields early in the season from nearby crops such as alfalfa, wheat, and oat after senescence or mowing.

Lab: 55%, Field: 45%

Mentors: Sara Emery, Brian Nault

2. Landscape clues & orchard views: Predicting pest pressure in apples

The apple maggot (Rhagoletis pomonella), is an economically significant pest of apples in New York. Growers have been observing shifts in the timing of emergence of this pest, but it is unknown if this is driven by climatic shifts.  Additionally, the management of apple maggot is complicated by the presence of wild hawthorn species that serve as alternate hosts. Many orchards are bordered by hawthorn hedgerows, but growers have limited guidance on which hawthorn species pose the greatest infestation risk or how local fruiting times align with apple susceptibility, given that there is currently no consensus regarding these topics among entomologists and extension workers in New York State. 

By developing predictive models that estimate the timing of apple maggot emergence over time, sampling across landscape gradients and analyzing pest management and risks, this project aims to characterize and predict pest risk given a landscape context and under shifting climatic scenarios. This project will focus on field sampling, data analysis in R and applied computational tools. The goal of this project will be to review existing insect monitoring data, conduct a localized case study, and outline the opportunities for scaling up the approach across larger spatial regions. Conceptualizations of data sovereignty may also be explored.

Lab: 85%, Field: 15% 

Mentor: Sara Emery

3. Understanding Insect Behavior for Application in Sustainable Agriculture

Insects are constantly responding to their environment to find food, mates, and safety from predators. In order to make these choices, they exhibit behaviors and through understanding behavior, we can manipulate their impacts on agricultural crops. In this project, we will utilize various lab and field experiments to better understand insect behavior for the purpose of understanding how behavior could potentially be better understood or exploited for reduced impact to agricultural crops and reduce the need for pesticide application.

Lab: 60%, Field: 40%

Mentors: Monique Rivera, Mason Patrick Chandler, Jess Choi, Sandra Lizarraga

4. Think Outside the Hive: Improving honey bee health 

This research focuses on improving honey bee health through exploration of new Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies. We seek to improve hive health using novel ectoparasite management tools and nutritious hive supplements with high sterol (lipid) content.

Lab: 50%; Field: 50%

Mentors: Christophe Duplais, Petra Hafker

5. Impact of resistance gene mutations to Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) proteins on insecticidal efficacy of Bt formulations

The soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis is the most widely used environment-friendly microbial insecticide as sprayable formulations in agriculture and public health. Current genetically modified insect-resistant crops are engineered to express insecticidal Bt proteins to confer insect-resistance. Bt strains contains various insecticidal proteins and spores, and Bt crops express selected Bt proteins. In this project, we will analyze the impacts of different resistance traits to Bt toxins in Bt-crops and associated gene mutations on insecticidal efficacy of conventional Bt formulations. The scholar will learn the biological analysis techniques and conduct this project as an independent study. The student will also have opportunities to learn molecular and gene editing techniques hands-on in collaboration with lab members. 

Lab: 100%, Field: 0%

Mentor: Ping Wang

6. Ecology and Management of Vegetable Insect Pests

A primary goal of my research and extension program is to develop management strategies for vegetable insect pests that are practical, economical and environmentally responsible. Another important goal is to work with growers to implement these pest management strategies on their farms. Students in my program will learn about insect biology, ecology and management of many insect pests that attack New York’s most important vegetable crops. Students also will interact with vegetable growers, extension educators, and other crop protection professionals while conducting research on vegetable farms. Skills acquired during this internship include design of field experiments and laboratory bioassays, data collection and statistical analyses, illustration and interpretation of results, communication with stakeholders and the scientific community. 

Lab: 25%, Field: 75%

Mentor: Brian Nault

7. From Sea to Sand Trap: Can seaweed extracts improve the health of NY state golf course soils?

Golf course managers have had a long-standing interest in using biostimulants to restore and enhance biological activity of turfgrass soils. Previous studies have shown promising improvements in soil microbial activity following biostimulant application, however, the full extent of soil health responses remain poorly understood. In this project, we are examining how pure extracts of Alaskan kelp impact soil health and biological activity of golf course soils.  This project will offer an opportunity to learn techniques for quantifying soil physical, chemical, and biological characteristics and soil organism identification.   Students involved in the project will also learn how to conduct soil ecological field research with implications for management.

Lab: 50%, Field: 50%

Mentors: Kyle Wickings, Brendan Cramphorn, Abby Allen