My program in pest management focuses on the ecological impacts of transgenic crops for insect control. Since I specialize in field crops, I have narrowed that focus further to Bt-corn including both Btk (for lepidopteran pests) and Btt (for coleopteran pests). Ecological impacts can include both impacts on the target pest population (eg resistance) and impacts on nontarget organisms (eg monarchs and beneficial beetles). My research with Bt-corn focuses on evaluating these problems and identifying potential solutions. One group of beneficial beetles that may be impacted by Btt corn is the coccinellidae or lady beetles. This group includes many predators that are vital for the suppression of pest populations. Unfortunately, many of the most common lady beetles native to the United States are in precipitous decline. My research in insect conservation biology focuses on the assessment of the current status of both native and exotic lady beetles and the determination of the impact of recent trends in the composition of lady beetle species (e.g. a higher proportion of exotic species and individuals) on the ability of this group to suppress pest populations.

In addition to an upper level course on integrated pest management I taught the non-majors course (Alien Empire) for the first time in spring 2007.

My outreach focus is on a new program designed to educate youth about the importance of insect biodiversity and conservation and to recruit them to help us monitor the status of native and exotic ladybugs. This program titled, "Looking for lost ladybugs" has already yielded several exciting discoveries and we have applied to the National Science Foundation to expand it nationwide.