Beth (Mary) Ferguson 3164 N. Perkins Rd. Apt 101 Fayetteville, AR 72703 940-389-7225 [email protected] Education B.S. Degree in Biology 2008-2012 Minor in Statistics Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX GPA 3.48

M.S. Degree in Entomology and Plant Pathology 2012-2014 Entomology Option Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK Current GPA 4.0

Phd in Entomology 2014-Present University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR

GRE Scores: Verbal 160, Quantitative 161, and Writing 4.0

Experience in SAS, SPSS, and R statistical programs and basic PCR techniques

Lab Experience

Sam Houston State University Volunteer Research in Ecology Lab 2010  Performed sampling of creek detritus under the observation of graduate student

 Differentiated between Tanypodinae, Chironomidae, Odonata and Trichoptera larvae as well as juvenile crawfish

 Took dry weights of each sample using a micro balance

Undergraduate Senior Thesis 2011-2012  Treat Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Greenhouse whitefly) with Neem oil

 Conducted tests for LC50 and analyzed using R

Oklahoma State University Life history of tetracanthus (: ) in the laboratory and 2012-2013 a description of immature stages  Reared colony of Z. tetracanthus and recorded data on growth rate, death, and mortality

 Used Infinity Analyze© camera system to measure body segments of juvenile specimens

Parasitism rate in Diaeretiella rapae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in an experienced and 2012-2014 novel environment  Create environments containing either cabbage aphids in canola, or bird cherry-oat aphids in wheat.  Introduce pairs of D. rapae reared from both environmental types into either the same environment or a novel environment and dissect aphids at three days to determine parasitism rate

Effect of larval and adult learning on habitat and host location in the parasitoid wasp 2012-2014 Diaeretiella rapae (Hymenoptera:Braconidae)  Wasps are allowed to complete lifecycle and emerge from mummy in isolation from environment or are removed from mummy 1 day before emergence

 Y-tube olfactometers are used to determine habitat and host preference between two host/plant choices

Memberships & Affiliations

Sam Houston State University  Member of Beta Beta Beta Biological Honors Fraternity 2010-2012

 Member of Alpha Lambda Delta-Honors Fraternity 2008 -2012

Oklahoma State University  Member of Entomology and Plant Pathology Student Government Association 2012 –2014

 Member of the Linnaean games team 2013-2014

University of Arkansas  Member of the Isely-Baerg Entomology Club 2014-present

Extension, Presentations, and Awards

Extension and Outreach  Assisted with presentation of chinch bug damage in heading sorghum at sorghum variety trials Aug. 2012  Assisted with presentation of Glance and Go Sampling for aphids in winter and spring wheat and the iWheat smartphone app Nov. 2012

 Student volunteer at the EXPO at the ESA-SWB meeting Feb. 2013

 Student volunteer at the Insect EXPO at the ESA-SWB meeting Feb. 2014

 Display booth and dissemination of information about for the NWA Emergency Aug. 2014 Preparedness Fair

 Props master for the Insect Theatre at the Fayetteville Insect Festival Oct. 2014 Presentations

 “Life History of Zelus tetracanthus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) in the Laboratory” at the ESA Southwestern Branch in Lac Cruces, NM Feb. 2013

 Guest lecture in ENTO 2003 (Insects and Society): “Why I chose to become an Entomologist” Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK Oct. 2013  “Life History of Zelus tetracanthus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) in the Laboratory and Description of Immature Stages” at the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Student Symposium Oct. 2013

 “Behavior of experienced and inexperienced Diaeretiella rapae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) exposed to winter wheat and canola” at ESA Southwestern Branch in San Antonio, TX Feb. 2014

Awards

 3rd place graduate student 10-minute oral paper presentation at ESA-SWB in Las Cruces, NM Feb. 2013  2nd place M.S. poster at ESA-SWB in San Antonio, TX Feb. 2014  Recipient of the Doctoral Academy Fellowship from the University of Arkanasas Aug. 2014-present

Teaching Experience

 Teaching Assistant for ENTO 3331: Insect Pests of Agronomic Crops Spring 2013 • Set up specimens and plant damage for laboratory • Gave guest lecture for theory portion of class

 Teaching Assistant for ENTO 2993: Introduction to Entomology Fall 2013 • Gave lectures each lab period • Responsible for set up of lab specimens • Created quizzes, midterm, and final exam for lab