Who are we?

Dr. Elizabeth Rowen

Ph.D. 2020 Penn State University, Department of Entomology

M.S. 2015 Purdue University, Department of Entomology

B.A. 2011 Wellesley College, Biology

I am an insect ecologist and Assistant Professor at West Virginia University in the Division of Plant and Soil Science where I coordinate the insect zoo program, teach introductory entomology and insect ecology, and study the connections between soil and animal management (pastures, cover crops, and fertilization), plants, and insects in agricultural systems.

My interests include:

Using meta-analysis to understand pest and predator response to soil management
Investigating how manure affects insect pest damage and predator communities
Understanding how pests and predators respond to cover crops and how cover crops can buffer their exposure to insecticides
Exploring the dung beetle community of WV to better support animal and pasture health.

I also enjoy cross-stitching, quilting, kickboxing, fencing, cycling and scuba-diving and hanging out with my twins.

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Graduate Researchers

Haylie Brown

Degree: M.S. in Entomology

B.S. 2019 University of Missouri, Fisheries and Wildlife

I am in my first year at West Virginia University working towards my masters degree in entomology. My research is looking at the effects of anti-parasitic drugs on dung beetle populations. My interests are to promote more sustainable agriculture practices, better understand insect ecology, and encourage insect conservation.

In my free time, I enjoy puzzles, traveling, video games, and shenanigans with my fiance and pets.

Lauren Cheshire

Degree: M.S. in Entomology

B.S. 2022 West Virginia University, Wildlife and Fisheries

I am investigating the effects of climate change-induced precipitation on dung beetles. I want understand how dung beetles respond to increase precipitation and flooding by creating mesocosms in which we manipulate the amount of water inundating dung pats, as well as the time in which colonization of the pats occur. These pats will be open to natural colonization and then capped off at differing times and water concentrations to observe survivability under the different conditions. I will look at how water influences the ability of dung beetles to either colonize or decompose the feces.

Sneha Haridas

Degree: PhD in Plant and Soil Science (Entomology)

MSc Environmental Studies and Resource Management. TERI SAS, New Delhi.
BSc Chemistry, Environmental Science and Zoology. St Joseph's University, Bangalore.

My research area lies broadly in the field of Insect Diversity and Conservation, with a special focus on the non-charismatic, but ecologically significant dung beetles. I have worked on the biosystematics and distribution of the Old World Scarabaeinae (true dung beetles) in the Eastern Himalayas and I am excited to explore the New World fauna as well, surrounding the Appalachians!
As a doctoral student at the Insect Agroecology Lab of the Plant and Soil Sciences Department at WVU, I would be studying the dung beetles in the Agroecosystems of West Virginia State, to understand their diversity, ecology and how specific agro-management practices could be affecting their distribution and causing threats to their populations.

I also enjoy travelling to explore and learn diverse cultures and cuisines, apart from trekking, table tennis, quizzing, swimming and water sports.

Mellisa Musekwa

Degree: PhD in Plant and Soil Science (Entomology)

MSc. 2020 University of Zimbabwe, Agronomy

BSc. 2018 University of Zimbabwe, Crop Science

Project:

I am working on a project that investigates the effects of liquid, composted and dry stacked manure on pests and weeds in corn, wheat and soybean planted in organic and organic-transitioning plots. My research interests include plant-insect interactions, agroecology, insect community ecology and sustainable agriculture and I am excited to learn more about this in my project.

I also enjoy spending time with family and friends, gardening, cooking and travelling.