Support staff information Page: Insect Biocontrol Laboratory (IBL), Beltsville Argricultural Research Center (BARC)

Insect Biocontrol Laboratory Support Staff

Michael Athanas

Entomologist

Mr. Athanas works with Dr. Donald Weber in support of biological control and other alternative control measures to reduce the use of pesticides. He is a graduate of University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, with a B.S. degree in Entomology, 1978 and an M.S. degree in IPM, 1981. Mr. Athanas is a member of the Entomological Society of America and has worked with the foreign exploration, introduction and evaluation of potential biocontrol agents of the corn rootworm, Mexican bean beetle, Colorado potato beetle, gypsy moth and alfalfa weevil. Current work involves the deployment of selective baits and biological controls for corn rootworm and Colorado potato beetle, and related research in beetle biology and management.

Robert Bennett

Biological Science Laboratory Technician

Mr. Bennett works with Dr. Kevin Thorpe in support of research on management of Colorado potato beetle and gypsy moth. He received a B.S. degree in Biology in 1974 from Towson State University and an M.S. degree in Integrated Pest Management in 1981 from the University of Maryland, College Park. He has 10 years of experience working with the Colorado potato beetle, serves as coordinator for IBLs greenhouses on BARC East, and is a Certified Pesticide Applicator in the state of Maryland. Mr. Bennett has worked with Dr. Thorpe since 1995.

Vallie Bray

Biological Science Laboratory Technician

Ms. Bray works with Dr. Dwight Lynn in support of insect cell culture research. She is a 1966 graduate of Howard University, Washington, DC where she received a B.S. degree in Zoology. She specializes in insect tissue culture and also has training in ELISA techniques and isoenzyme analysis. Ms. Bray has worked with Dr. Lynn since 1982.

Ellen Buckley

Microbiologist

Ms. Buckley works with Dr. Stephen Rehner in support of his research on fungal pesticides. She graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a B.A. degree in Biology (1991) and from Wake Forest University with a M.S. degree in Biochemistry (1997). Ms. Buckley specializes in molecular biology and has extensive experience in the techniques of recombinant DNA technology. She has experience with insect cell culture and bioassay, has specific training in troubleshooting and maintenance of Macintosh computers, DNA sequence analysis software and Bioinfomatics. She has worked at the IBL since 1997.

Edward Clark

Microbiologist

Mr. Clark is a support scientist working with Dr. Marcia Loeb on the biology and physiology of insect midgut tissue culture in vitro. He graduated from Elmira College, Elmira, NY, 1982, with a B.S. in Biology. He did graduate work in Microbiology at the University of Maryland, College Park, and received an M.S. in Biology from George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, 2001. Presently, he prepares and maintains insect midgut cell cultures and does immunochemical staining. Past experience includes gypsy moth population sampling, IDRISI Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software, serological deformation testing of spiroplasmas for classification, preparation and testing of a simplified defined medium for cultivation of spiroplasmas, extrachromosomal DNA extractions, restriction enzyme digestions, and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) of spiroplasmal DNA. Mr. Clark has worked with Dr. Loeb since early 1998.

John Domek

Entomologist

Dr. Domek works as a support scientist with Dr. Mike Blackburn. He is working on the identification of genes encoding insecticidal toxins from the bacterium Photorabdus luminescens, and the characterization of toxins from other bacteria. Dr. Domek graduated from the University of Idaho with a MS degree in Entomology, 1982 and his PhD in Entomology at the University of Arkansas in 1989. Dr. Domek has worked with Dr. Blackburn since the fall of 1998.

Robert Farrar

Entomologist

Dr. Farrar works with Dr. Martin Shapiro on the use of viruses to control insects. He graduated from Middle Tennessee State Unversity with a B.S. in Biology (1979) and from North Carolina State University with a Ph. D. in Entomology (1984). He is a member of the Entomological Society of America and specializes in organismal-level study of the relationships among insects, insect pathogens, plants, and the environment. He works in the laboratory, greenhouse, and field to evaluate ways to optimize the use of viruses to control insect pests. He designs and conducts experiments, analyzes data, and writes and publishes papers on the results. He also serves as collateral duty safety officers for the Plant Sciences Institute, and is a certified pesticide applicator. He has worked with Dr. Shapiro since 1997.

Jing Hu

Entomologist

Dr. Hu is a support scientist working with Dr. Dale Gelman in the area of whitefly biocontrol. He received his B.S. degree in Entomology from Hunan Agricultural University, P.R. of China (1982), his M.S. degree in Entomology from Brigham Young University (1989) and his Ph.D. in Entomology from Texas A & M University (1996). Dr. Hu's research focuses on the use of parasitoid wasps abd biopesticides to control populations of greenhouse and silverleaf whiteflies. His specialties include the elucidation of the host-parasite interactions that are required for the parasitoid to serve as a biocontrol agent, and the development of artificial rearing technology, including the generation of artificial diets. Dr. Hu has been a member of Dr. Gelman's laboratory since 1996.

Lynda Liska

Biological Science Laboratory Technician

Ms. Liska works with Dr. Robert Farrar and other IBL scientists in support of their rearing and testing programs. Through on-the-job training, she has developed onsiderable expertise in maintaining colonies of, and developing diets for, a variety of insect pest species. She also is skilled in assisting with the isolation and purification of selected compounds and in conducting tests designed to evaluate the effects of potential insect control agents on laboratory-reared insects. She has worked with IBL since 1996.

Nicole Novak

Molecular Biologist

Ms. Novak is Dr. Susan Lawrence's support scientist. Her current work involves expressing wound responsive genes in plants by way of viral vectors. These genes are thought to be protective against insect infestation. Ultimately, this work may contribute to biological alternatives to chemical pesticides. Ms. Novak received a B.S. degree in biology from Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, PA in 1993, and a master's degree in molecular biology from Johns Hopkins University in 1998. While Ms. Novak's career began in human infectious diseases, she is very excited to shift gears to agricultural research here at the IBL. While at Hopkins, she spent much of her spare time in her garden and volunteering on farms.

Monica Pedroni

Molecular Biologist

Ms. Pedroni works with Dr. Dawn Gundersen-Rindal on developing insect virus-based strategies for biocontrol of insect pests. She graduated from California State University, Fresno with a B.S. in biology, 1994 and specializes in molecular techniques, such as PCR, DNA sequencing, hybridization, molecular cloning, expression, and the analysis of recombinant proteins. Ms. Pedroni joined the IBL in 2000.

Ashaki (Teddi) Shropshire

Biological Science Laboratory Technician

Ms. Shropshire works with Dr. Phyllis Martin on microbial aspects of biological control. She is a magna cum laude graduate of North Carolina A and T with a B.S. in Laboratory Animal Science (1992). She specializes in microbial cultivation and identification especially of Bacillus spp. including B. thuringiensis and is responsible for a large B. thuringiensis data base of more than 10,000 strains. Ms. Shropshire has worked with Dr. Martin since 1989 when she began as a summer research apprentice.

Ann Sidor

Biological Science Laboratory Technician

Ms. Sidor works with Dr. Fernando Vega in support of research on biological and biorational control of insect pests on coffee. She graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park , Maryland, with a B.S. degree in Conservation and Resource Development in Pest Management (1988). Previous experience includes biocontrol projects dealing with the Colorado potato beetle, gypsy moth, Mexican bean beetles and corn rootworms. Ms. Sidor has worked at the Beltsville Ag. center since 1982.

Margaret Wilborn

Insect Production Worker

Ms. Wilborn works with Dr. Martin Shapiro in support of a program on insect viruses as microbial control agents. She has been employed with ARS since 1970 and has extensive experience in insect rearing. Margaret weighs and prepares insect diets for gypsy moths, beet armyworms, and corn earworms. She also assists in bioassays with several insect pathogenic viruses against four lepidopteran pest. Ms. Wilborn has worked with Dr. Shapiro since early 1998.


Laboratory Links: Home Mission History Research Staff Postdoctoral Associates Support Staff Former Staff Diversity at IBL Travel Directions Technical Info Poster ARS National Programs Links Insect Biocontrol Beetle Biology Coffee Berry Borer Shade Tree Insects Insect Cell Culture Insect Viruses Whitefly Biology Other Links	Insect Biocontrol Laboratory Support Staff Michael Athanas Entomologist Mr. Athanas works with Dr. Donald Weber in support of biological control and other alternative control measures to reduce the use of pesticides. He is a graduate of University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, with a B.S. degree in Entomology, 1978 and an M.S. degree in IPM, 1981. Mr. Athanas is a member of the Entomological Society of America and has worked with the foreign exploration, introduction and evaluation of potential biocontrol agents of the corn rootworm, Mexican bean beetle, Colorado potato beetle, gypsy moth and alfalfa weevil. Current work involves the deployment of selective baits and biological controls for corn rootworm and Colorado potato beetle, and related research in beetle biology and management. Robert Bennett Biological Science Laboratory Technician Mr. Bennett works with Dr. Kevin Thorpe in support of research on management of Colorado potato beetle and gypsy moth. He received a B.S. degree in Biology in 1974 from Towson State University and an M.S. degree in Integrated Pest Management in 1981 from the University of Maryland, College Park. He has 10 years of experience working with the Colorado potato beetle, serves as coordinator for IBLs greenhouses on BARC East, and is a Certified Pesticide Applicator in the state of Maryland. Mr. Bennett has worked with Dr. Thorpe since 1995. Vallie Bray Biological Science Laboratory Technician Ms. Bray works with Dr. Dwight Lynn in support of insect cell culture research. She is a 1966 graduate of Howard University, Washington, DC where she received a B.S. degree in Zoology. She specializes in insect tissue culture and also has training in ELISA techniques and isoenzyme analysis. Ms. Bray has worked with Dr. Lynn since 1982. Ellen Buckley Microbiologist Ms. Buckley works with Dr. Stephen Rehner in support of his research on fungal pesticides. She graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a B.A. degree in Biology (1991) and from Wake Forest University with a M.S. degree in Biochemistry (1997). Ms. Buckley specializes in molecular biology and has extensive experience in the techniques of recombinant DNA technology. She has experience with insect cell culture and bioassay, has specific training in troubleshooting and maintenance of Macintosh computers, DNA sequence analysis software and Bioinfomatics. She has worked at the IBL since 1997. Edward Clark Microbiologist Mr. Clark is a support scientist working with Dr. Marcia Loeb on the biology and physiology of insect midgut tissue culture in vitro. He graduated from Elmira College, Elmira, NY, 1982, with a B.S. in Biology. He did graduate work in Microbiology at the University of Maryland, College Park, and received an M.S. in Biology from George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, 2001. Presently, he prepares and maintains insect midgut cell cultures and does immunochemical staining. Past experience includes gypsy moth population sampling, IDRISI Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software, serological deformation testing of spiroplasmas for classification, preparation and testing of a simplified defined medium for cultivation of spiroplasmas, extrachromosomal DNA extractions, restriction enzyme digestions, and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) of spiroplasmal DNA. Mr. Clark has worked with Dr. Loeb since early 1998. John Domek Entomologist Dr. Domek works as a support scientist with Dr. Mike Blackburn. He is working on the identification of genes encoding insecticidal toxins from the bacterium Photorabdus luminescens, and the characterization of toxins from other bacteria. Dr. Domek graduated from the University of Idaho with a MS degree in Entomology, 1982 and his PhD in Entomology at the University of Arkansas in 1989. Dr. Domek has worked with Dr. Blackburn since the fall of 1998. Robert Farrar Entomologist Dr. Farrar works with Dr. Martin Shapiro on the use of viruses to control insects. He graduated from Middle Tennessee State Unversity with a B.S. in Biology (1979) and from North Carolina State University with a Ph. D. in Entomology (1984). He is a member of the Entomological Society of America and specializes in organismal-level study of the relationships among insects, insect pathogens, plants, and the environment. He works in the laboratory, greenhouse, and field to evaluate ways to optimize the use of viruses to control insect pests. He designs and conducts experiments, analyzes data, and writes and publishes papers on the results. He also serves as collateral duty safety officers for the Plant Sciences Institute, and is a certified pesticide applicator. He has worked with Dr. Shapiro since 1997. Jing Hu Entomologist Dr. Hu is a support scientist working with Dr. Dale Gelman in the area of whitefly biocontrol. He received his B.S. degree in Entomology from Hunan Agricultural University, P.R. of China (1982), his M.S. degree in Entomology from Brigham Young University (1989) and his Ph.D. in Entomology from Texas A & M University (1996). Dr. Hu's research focuses on the use of parasitoid wasps abd biopesticides to control populations of greenhouse and silverleaf whiteflies. His specialties include the elucidation of the host-parasite interactions that are required for the parasitoid to serve as a biocontrol agent, and the development of artificial rearing technology, including the generation of artificial diets. Dr. Hu has been a member of Dr. Gelman's laboratory since 1996. Lynda Liska Biological Science Laboratory Technician Ms. Liska works with Dr. Robert Farrar and other IBL scientists in support of their rearing and testing programs. Through on-the-job training, she has developed onsiderable expertise in maintaining colonies of, and developing diets for, a variety of insect pest species. She also is skilled in assisting with the isolation and purification of selected compounds and in conducting tests designed to evaluate the effects of potential insect control agents on laboratory-reared insects. She has worked with IBL since 1996. Nicole Novak Molecular Biologist Ms. Novak is Dr. Susan Lawrence's support scientist. Her current work involves expressing wound responsive genes in plants by way of viral vectors. These genes are thought to be protective against insect infestation. Ultimately, this work may contribute to biological alternatives to chemical pesticides. Ms. Novak received a B.S. degree in biology from Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, PA in 1993, and a master's degree in molecular biology from Johns Hopkins University in 1998. While Ms. Novak's career began in human infectious diseases, she is very excited to shift gears to agricultural research here at the IBL. While at Hopkins, she spent much of her spare time in her garden and volunteering on farms. Monica Pedroni Molecular Biologist Ms. Pedroni works with Dr. Dawn Gundersen-Rindal on developing insect virus-based strategies for biocontrol of insect pests. She graduated from California State University, Fresno with a B.S. in biology, 1994 and specializes in molecular techniques, such as PCR, DNA sequencing, hybridization, molecular cloning, expression, and the analysis of recombinant proteins. Ms. Pedroni joined the IBL in 2000. Ashaki (Teddi) Shropshire Biological Science Laboratory Technician Ms. Shropshire works with Dr. Phyllis Martin on microbial aspects of biological control. She is a magna cum laude graduate of North Carolina A and T with a B.S. in Laboratory Animal Science (1992). She specializes in microbial cultivation and identification especially of Bacillus spp. including B. thuringiensis and is responsible for a large B. thuringiensis data base of more than 10,000 strains. Ms. Shropshire has worked with Dr. Martin since 1989 when she began as a summer research apprentice. Ann Sidor Biological Science Laboratory Technician Ms. Sidor works with Dr. Fernando Vega in support of research on biological and biorational control of insect pests on coffee. She graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park , Maryland, with a B.S. degree in Conservation and Resource Development in Pest Management (1988). Previous experience includes biocontrol projects dealing with the Colorado potato beetle, gypsy moth, Mexican bean beetles and corn rootworms. Ms. Sidor has worked at the Beltsville Ag. center since 1982. Margaret Wilborn Insect Production Worker Ms. Wilborn works with Dr. Martin Shapiro in support of a program on insect viruses as microbial control agents. She has been employed with ARS since 1970 and has extensive experience in insect rearing. Margaret weighs and prepares insect diets for gypsy moths, beet armyworms, and corn earworms. She also assists in bioassays with several insect pathogenic viruses against four lepidopteran pest. Ms. Wilborn has worked with Dr. Shapiro since early 1998.
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