Research
For more information about my favorite species of insect, check out the Butterfly Info link to the left. For information about my educational background, click on Curriculum vitae. And for information about publications (including pdfs when available), see the Publications link.
If you are an undergraduate at Benedictine University and have an interest in any or all of the above areas and a strong work ethic, send me an email or stop by to chat -- there's plenty of work to be done!
For Summer 2006: check Benedictine's Summer Reseach Page for information about paid summer research positions! (Deadline: 1 March 2006!)
Projects that are available in my lab for summer 2006 include:
Comparative chemistry within the Apiaceae (Carrot family): Both qualitative and quantitative chemistry with respect to compounds that are biologically active for the black swallowtail butterfly. Extractions, HPLC, GC, GC-MS, and other methods are all likely. Student with minimum of organic chemistry (and better than a passing grade) preferred.
Responses of the black swallowtail to introduced and native host species: Bioassays to determine the relative preference ranking of different Apiaceae and to identify specific compounds eliciting positive or negative (but not neutral!) responses.
Natural history of local, native Apiaceae and the black swallowtail butterfly: Spend time in the field making observations of the interactions between a butterfly and its host plants. Follow the survival rates of naturally-placed caterpillars on different local host plants. Work will occur on campus/Abbey property and in various DuPage County Forest Preserves (with their permission -- already granted).
In addition, assisting in the general care and feeding and maintenance of insect and plant cultures will be a part of any project!
