Kelsey E. Fisher 630 S. 4th St. #13 • Ames, IA 50010 • 609-221-5129 • [email protected]
EDUCATION Iowa State University Ames, IA Ph.D. in Entomology, GIS Certification Spring 2020
University of Delaware Newark, DE Master of Science in Entomology December 2015
Widener University Chester, PA Bachelor of Science in Biology, Honors in Biology May 2013
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
PUBLICATIONS Fisher, KE, CE Mason, JL Flexner, J Hough-Goldstein, & JH McDonald. 2017. Survivorship of Z-pheromone race European corn borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) on a range of host plants varying in defensive chemistry. Journal of Economic Entomology. 110(3): 978-985.
Krumm, JL, AA Nagengast, A Moretti, M Colgan, KE Fisher, KL Hy, RM Castellante, M Poslusny. 2014. Summer research program on a shoestring budget: Increasing participation in undergraduate research. Perspectives on Undergraduate Research and Mentoring. 3(2): 1-10.
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE Graduate Research, Iowa State University 2016-present “Landscape navigation and habitat utilization of the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus)” Employing genetic and radio telemetry techniques to understand adult movement and landscape utilization
Graduate Research, University of Delaware 2013-2015 “Evaluation of natural plant defenses on the growth, development, and survival of Ostrinia nubilalis” Studied survivability, consumption rates, and host preference of the European corn borer (ECB) on a range of historically reported host plants including sweet corn, non-Bt field corn, cucumber, green bean, tomato, and Cry1F Bt corn
Undergraduate Research, Widener University 2010-2013 Senior Thesis: “Food choice preference throughout the lifespan of Epimecis hortaria” Examined innate and acquired feeding preferences with no choice and two choice experiments
“Impact of host plant on larval success and plant preference of Epimecis hortaria” Observed growth differences for larvae reared on one of four plant species Analyzed the host plant food preference of E. hortaria at two time points during larval development
“Do floral spiders limit pollination rate in pawpaw?” Studied the effect of flower-dwelling spiders’ presence on the fruit yield of pawpaw
SELECT PRESENTATIONS 2017 Fisher, KE, J Adleman, SP Bradbury. Testing methods for tracking monarch butterfly movement with radio telemetry. ESA Portland, OR
2016 Fisher, KE, BS Coates, SP Bradbury. Identification of monarch mitochondrial haploypes based of direct sequencing. ESA, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
2015 Fisher, KE and CE Mason. Picky Caterpillars: Feeding preference of the European corn borer, O. nubilalis (Hübner), over a range of host plants. Ent Soc, Minneapolis, MN
2014 Fisher, KE and CE Mason. Feeding behavior of the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hüber), on a range of host plants. Ent Soc, Portland, OR
2013 Fisher, KE, K Goodrich. Host plant preference of the tulip tree beauty moth (Epimecis hortaria). College of Arts and Sciences Summer Research Symposium, Widener University, Chester, PA
2011 Moir, CA, KE Fisher, M Colgan, L Ortiz, KL Hy, AL Jones, KR Goodrich and JL Krumm. Host plant choice and larval success in Epimecis hortatia. ESA, Austin, TX
2010 Jones, A, CA Moir, KE Fisher, K Goodrich, JL Krumm. Do floral spiders limit pollination rate in pawpaw? College of Arts and Sciences Summer Research Symposium, Widener University, Chester, PA GRANT WRITING EXPERIENCE *Wrote text for all grant applications
Bailey Research Career Development Award under review Oct 2017 Understanding monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) dispersal using full mitochondrial DNA genome sequencing
Holohil Grant Program under review Oct 2017 Tracking monarch butterflies through the Iowa landscape utilizing an automated radio telemetry system
AFRI Pollinator Health Program awarded Jun 2017 Factors influencing spatially-explicit monarch population responses in Midwest agroecosystems
AFRI Exploratory Research Program Area not funded Mar 2017 A break-through methodology to study insect dispersal ecology by detecting haplotype variation through a full genome enrichment and Illumina sequencing approach
The Garden Club of America Board of Associates Centennial Pollinator Fellowship awarded Feb 2017 Tracking monarch butterflies through the Iowa landscape utilizing an automated radio telemetry system
NSF Division of Integrative Organismal Systems Core Programs not funded Jan 2017 Fitness in a fragmented landscape: revealing the role of resource-perception capacity in a wild insect
AFRI Pest and Beneficial Species Program not funded Jul 2016 Factors influencing spatially-explicit monarch population responses in Midwest agroecosystems
CAMTech I/UCRE not funded Jun 2016 Identification of monarch mitochondrial haplotypes based on direct sequencing
SCIENTIFIC COMMUNICATION & OUTREACH Authored IA State Integrated Crop Management Blogs Monarch Southern Migration in Progress Sep 2017 Update on Monarch Butterflies in Iowa May 2017
Interviewed for Media Outlets Daily Times Herald, Carroll, IA “At Iowa State, teams studying monarchs are female” Sep 2017 IA State CALS Communication Services “Float Like a Butterfly, Research Like a Scientist” Jul 2017 Agriculture Business Report WHO Channel 13 “Tracking Monarch Butterflies” Jul 2017 IA State Stories “Milkweed, Monarchs, and Models” Dec 2016
Communication with Public 2013-2017 Master Gardener Training Pollinator Palooza Ames HS classroom visit & assembly Pollinator Fest Monarchs and Music Meet a Scientist Day Farm Progress Show Care for Animals camp visit Tatnall MS classroom visit
Scientific Communication Training Reimen Gardens Portal to the Public Science Communication Fellow Winter 2017
Letters to a Pre-Scientist 2014-present Pen pal with a fourth grade student to encourage pursuing a career in science and teach letter writing
MENTORING & ADVISING EXPERIENCE Advise George Washington Carver Intern Summer 2017 Mentored student through an independent research project from idea formulation to presentation of results
PlantingScience Liaison and Mentor 2015-present Online learning community where scientists mentor student teams as they design inquiry projects Act as a scientific mentor for students and liaison between PlantingScience team, teachers, and mentors
LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE Ecological Society of America 2015-2018; one year terms Student Section Chair Work with a team of passionate students to better the Ecological Society of America student experience; Plan/organize/lead workshops at the annual meeting: “confessions from graduate students”, student orientation, student networking, scientific communication, “stories from scientists”; Lead biweekly teleconferences to foster collaboration and progress on student section initiatives; Effectively communicate regularly with ESA executive board members and staff
Student Section Vice Chair Planned/organized workshops: student orientation, networking, NSF funding; Led coordination of liaisons between the student section and other ESA sections; Attended governing board meeting
Student Section Treasurer Planned/organized “advice from graduate students” workshop; managed finances
IA State Entomology Student Organization Vice President May 2017-May 2018
University of Delaware Entomology and Wildlife Ecology Seminar Coordinator 2015 Served as a liaison between department chair and guest scientists; kept time for speakers; organized schedules
Widener Dance Company 2009-2013 President; Vice President; Treasurer Planned and executed Dance-A-Thon for National Association of ANAD; raised $1,000 Collaborated with advisor and university staff; delegated responsibilities; planned for semi-annual recital
Committee Responsible for Enhancing Widener (CREW); Orientation Leader 2010-2013 Acted as a resource for new students; aided in acclimation to campus; informed students of campus services
HONORS, AWARDS, SOCIETIES Ecological Society of America Member 2011-present
Entomological Society of America Member 2013-present
Botanical Society of America Member 2017
Gamma Sigma Delta Induction, Honor Society of Agriculture Induction Spring 2017
The Garden Club of America Board of Associates Centennial Pollinator Fellowship Mar 2017
Ecological Society of America Real/Brown Travel Award $300 travel award for 101st annual Ecological Society of America meeting in Ft. Lauderdale, FL Aug 2016
Iowa State University Professional Development Grant $180 travel award for poster presentation at ESA in Ft. Lauderdale, FL Aug 2016 $200 travel award for poster presentation at ESA in Portland, OR Aug 2017
University of Delaware Entomology Departmental Travel Award $1000 travel award for oral presentation at ESA in Baltimore, MD Aug 2015 $1000 travel award for oral presentation at Ent Soc in Minneapolis, MN Nov 2015
Sigma Alpha Pi, National Society of Leadership and Success Induction Fall 2012
Nicholas D. Caputo Biology Student-Faculty Research Collaboration Award Jan 2012 Selected by biology faculty for active involvement in research and excellent academic achievement
Beta Beta Beta, National Biology Honors Society Induction Fall 2011
Third Place Poster Presentation Sep 2010 College of Arts and Sciences Summer Research Symposium, Widener University