Julianna is an agroecologist with more than 20 years of experience working in perennial fruit and vegetable systems. She leads an applied research and extension program dedicated to improving and developing new IPM practices that are biorational, sustainable, and resilient. This includes improving above and below ground biodiversity, implementing biological control, and running efficacy trials to test both conventional and organic pest management options in support of the long-term sustainability of the Michigan tree fruit industry and fruit production in the Great Lakes region.

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Email: jkwilson “at” msu.edu

Juan is an insect chemical ecologist and behaviorist with expertise in plant-insect, plant-pathogen, and insect-microbe interactions, as well as biological control in both basic and applied research settings. The fundamental research questions that interest her most are what, why, and how host plants react to insect and pathogen attacks and how these responses affect the physiology, growth, and development of insects. Her applied research focuses on the development and implementation of innovative pest management systems utilizing behavior-modifying chemicals such as plant/microbe-derived chemicals and insect pheromones to control tree fruit insect pests. Thus, her research interests lie in three major areas: 1) Plant-insect-parasitoid tritrophic interactions, 2) Insect-endosymbiont chemical ecology and 3) Novel IPM applications of semiochemicals.

Contact: huangju “at” msu.edu

Heather is an applied entomologist with a strong interest in specialty crop integrated pest management. Her focus areas have been with insects including spotted wing drosophila, brown marmorated stink bug, and spotted lanternfly in tree fruit, berry, and grape systems. Heather joined the Wilson Lab in 2022 and is based out of Northwestern Lower Michigan.

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Contact: leachhea “at” msu.edu

Amber has been evaluating fruit pest efficacy trials at the Trevor Nichols Research Center since 2019. She joined the Wilson Lab in January 2024 and is responsible for coordinating the fruit pest efficacy trials at Trevor Nichols and at the Clarksville Research Center.

Contact: boschamb “at” msu.edu

Blake joined the lab in January 2025 and is modelling the effects of abiotic factors on pest insect phenology to support resilient integrated pest management in cherry and blueberry agroecosystems (in collaboration with the Isaacs Lab). He completed his Ph.D. at the University of Wollongong, Australia, studying forensic entomology and carrion ecology, and later held a postdoctoral position at the University of New England, Australia, researching native pollinators and the potential for flies as managed crop pollinators.

Contact: dawsonbl “at” msu.edu

Kevin is researching whether orchards sequester significant amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and whether the grass alleys between the trees can be manipulated to increase soil carbon sequestration. While his research is primarily biogeochemical, plant changes affect insect populations. Everything is multidisciplinary.

Martín is studying woolly apple aphid behavior, phenology, and management.

Jenna is studying ambrosia beetle ecology and management in apple orchards.

Claire is studying the drivers of phenological shifts in orchard insect pests.