Micah Flores and Michelle Sanford collecting Chrysomya rufifacies larvae.
Jennifer Pechal and Micah Flores (Teaching Assistants for Forensic Entomology) checking the temperature of a pig used for the forensic entomology lab study.
Heidi Myers assisting with a field project examining predator-prey interactions between the red imported fire ant and house flies associated with wastes in confined animal facilities.
Longyu working in Dr. Crippen’s laboratory isolating DNA from microbes and larvae associated with decomposing remains.
Chin Heo, PhD student, and his “team” of undergraduates (Michael, Stephanie, & Caitlin) at his field site outside of College Station, Texas. Chin is examining the implications of delayed arthropod colonization of vertebrate carrion on arthropod and microbial succession trajectories and their relationship with nutrient recycling.
Micah and Stacy collecting maggots from a (dog) carcass to establish adult colonies.
Jennifer Pechal, Dr. Aaron Tarone, and Dr. Baneswhar Singh assembling our vulture exclusion cage at the Forensic Anthropology Facility at Texas State University. Our research efforts will examine microbial community structure and function as related to the recycling of nutrients associated with ephemeral resources.
Dr. Baneshwar Singh and Dr. Tomberlin lifting heavy timber as part of the construction exercise at the Forensic Anthropology Facility at Texas State University. Our research efforts will examine microbial community structure and function as related to the recycling of nutrients associated with ephemeral resources.
Our donated hog which was used as bait. We went on a collecting trip to the coast of Texas in June 2009. We were looking for a rare blow fly which we collected! Thanks to Michelle, Longyu, Micah, Christina (Micah’s significant other), Michelle, Leslie, and Dr. Tomberlin for their hard work! By the way, it was hot!
An example of hurricane Katrina damage along the coast of Texas. This “house” was located approximately 500 m from the shore. We went on a collecting trip to the coast of Texas in June 2009. We were looking for a rare blow fly which we collected! Thanks to Michelle, Longyu, Micah, Christina (Micah’s significant other), Michelle, Leslie, and Dr. Tomberlin for their hard work! By the way, it was hot!
Christina, Micah, & Longyu admiring their efforts with placing a pig in the field. We went on a collecting trip to the coast of Texas in June 2009. We were looking for a rare blow fly which we collected! Thanks to Michelle, Longyu, Micah, Christina (Micah’s significant other), Michelle, Leslie, and Dr. Tomberlin for their hard work! By the way, it was hot!
Dr. Tomberlin and Micah packing up two day old pig remains which were returned to the FLIES Laboratory. We were all glad that Michelle has a truck! Hey, look at the muscles on Dr. Tomberlin! We went on a collecting trip to the coast of Texas in June 2009. We were looking for a rare blow fly which we collected! Thanks to Michelle, Longyu, Micah, Christina (Micah’s significant other), Michelle, Leslie, and Dr. Tomberlin for their hard work! By the way, it was hot!
Dr. Jonathan Cammack, postdoctoral associate, in the lab making artificial diets in order to determine the impact of variations in nutritional makeup on microbial communities associated with larval flies commonly encountered on carrion.
Stacy demonstrating that in forensic entomology, sometimes you have to get your hands dirty.
Rachel and Stacy cutting up beef liver to freeze and use later for experimentation.
Le Zheng, PhD student, and Dr. Tomberlin in laboratory working- maybe?
Le Zheng, PhD student, making diets for his research examining microbe-insect interactions as related to nutrition ecology.
Brandon Lyons, MS student, preparing to collect samples for his research examining insecticide resistance in the lesser mealworm and its relationship to heat tolerance.
Meaghan Pimsler and Dr. Christine Picard attempt to recycle animal remains from a past experiment. You can see the excitement on Dr. Picard’s face!
Stacy Boatright collecting pupae from a container of sawdust.
Xinyang Zhang, MS student, in the lab prepping her microbes that she will use in her research examining their interkingdom communication with mosquitoes seeking a blood meal.
Chin Heo with his research team after a long summer of collecting data. Dr. Tomberlin was along for support and good meal (Left front to back: Brandon, Long, Jocelyn, Stephanie; Right front to back: Dr. Tomberlin, Chin, Aaron, Michael).
Wenqi Liu on lab retreat to Stephenville, Texas. We took this trip to visit dairies and learn the importance of decomposition ecology and agriculture (waste management)- Now that’s a giant rocking chair behind her!