April 2023 Spotlight

Olivia: Second Year MPHM Student in Wooster

About: I’m a Wooster, OH native, so I grew up with OSU and OARDC in my backyard and remember touring the Bug Zoo at a young age. My advisors are Luis Canas, Ashley Leach, and Andy Michel and I am in the Master of Plant Health Management program

Research: My research focuses on using 3D printed tools to enhance extension education. Two topics we have focused on are invasive species training with the spotted lanternfly and accurate decision making when spraying pesticides on soybeans.

Get to know!

1. What’s your favorite sports team?
   I was born a Buckeye, so obviously my favorite sports team is The Ohio State Buckeyes. Growing up I attended women’s basketball games and this year I had student tickets to the football games.

2. What’s your favorite family tradition?
   My favorite family tradition is celebrating Easter with my family. We make Easter bread, which is an Italian sweet bread, and eat it Easter morning. My parents also hide Easter baskets for me and my siblings to go find throughout the house.

3. How do you stay motivated? 
   I stay motivated by my parents. My mom is a first generation college student who went to Ohio State and she is now a Lawyer and a partner at a local law firm. My dad also went to Ohio State and is a first generation farmer. Both my parents work so hard and I admire them for that. They have had held me to high standards from a young age and it has motivated me to follow in their footsteps and work just as hard as them.

Nicki Joseph: Second Year PhD Student in Columbus

About: As a military kid, I’m not exactly from anywhere. I grew up in Europe (England and Italy) and have lived in over 10 different states and countries throughout my life. I currently work in Dr. Sarah Short’s vector biology lab, studying the effect of nutrition on Aedes aegypti mosquitos. I am currently in my second year of grad school, and hope to graduate with my PhD in entomology in a few years’ time.

Research: My research is focused on male Aedes aegypti and how manipulating their diets and nutrition may affect females after they mate. Specifically, by providing different diets to males, I am hoping to see downstream affects such as changes in longevity and survival in females. My work is currently focused on augmentation of the adult male diet, though I plan to explore larval nutrition next.

Get to know!

1. Who has taught you the best lesson in life?
   I can’t remember exactly who taught me this, but my favourite saying is “never be afraid to be a little selfish.” Although the people and environment around you will constantly change, you will always have to live with yourself. It’s okay to put your mental health, physical health, education, and general wellbeing first sometimes!

2. What are your hobbies?
   I’m an avid gamer, love to camp (primitive camping of course!), and am very big into the EDM scene (live music and shows). As a huge extrovert, you can find me at Skully’s music diner downtown anytime they have a live event going on!

3. Do you have a hidden party trick?
   Not really, but my go-to would be showing people the scars from when I had my extra fingers and toes removed as a kid (I was born polydactyly). Weird, gross, or cool? I don’t really know anymore.

4. What is the worst advice you have ever received?
   “Find a job you love, and you will never work a day in your life.” That’s so untrue. I think if you find a job you truly love, you will work hard every day for the rest of your life! Plus, no matter the job, some days are always more difficult or challenging than others.

Johanna Schwartz: Fourth Year Master's Student in Columbus

About: I'm from Deland, Florida. My advisor is Norman Johnson and I'm a student in the Entomology Department.

Research: My research is on taxonomy and systematics in the family Scelionidae.

Get to know!

1. What’s the best piece of professional advice you’ve ever received?
   Be lucky.

2. If you could trade places with someone for a day, who would it be?
   I'd want to trade places with future self. It'd be nice to know that I'm doing well.

3. What do you think is a person’s most important quality?
   Persistence.