February 2023 Spotlight
Valerie Anderson: Second Year Master’s Student in Wooster
About: My name is Valerie Anderson, and I am a Wooster native! I never expected to be back in Wooster after undergrad, but after participating in the Ohio Research Internship Program and conducting entomology research I was more than happy to continue the project for grad school. I've been working with Dr. Chris Ranger and Dr. Luis Cañas since 2018 on the collaborative USDA-OSU gourmet mushroom project.
Research: I focus on fungus gnat control in the production of oyster mushrooms. I've tested biological control agents for fungus gnats infesting oyster mushrooms and published the results in the Journal of Insects. Currently, I am conducting fungus gnat behavioral bioassays to better understand host attraction.
Get to know!
Who or what is your biggest inspiration?
Black forager aka Alexis Nikole inspires me so much. She’s a foraging teacher and environmentalist in Columbus, Ohio. She’s unapologetically herself and I adore her personality. As someone who also loves to forage, it’s fantastic to have a local to learn from because we are surrounded by the same plants and fungi at the same time of the year. She promotes the indigenous practice of the honorable harvest when foraging in which you ask permission, never take all of something, only take what you need and always say thank you.What is your favorite quality about yourself?
I could quickly say my curly hair or my ability to forage wild plants and fungi, but I think my favorite thing is my "All is One" mentality. I want to see and help people feed themselves mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. When my direct community is doing well, I am doing well!Do you cook? If so, what’s the best meal you cook?
I've had to teach myself how to cook especially since going vegan a few years back. I love to make comforting meals like soups and salads with toppings. My best meal to make for myself and others is fried chick'n and waffles. I make my own seitan for the chick'n. I love to experiment with meat substitutes made from beans, seitan, tofu and/or nuts. For New Years, I made a several charcuterie boards and got to try my hand at making vegan salami.
Adam Foster: First Year PhD Student in Columbus
About: I am from Beavercreek, Ohio, and I am a first-year PhD student in the Entomology program in Reed Johnson's lab.
Research: I am researching the effects of pesticides on bees in cucurbit crops.
Get to know!
What’s your biggest irrational fear?
Answering personal questions about myself. Also, jellyfish.If you were a mythical creature, what would you be and why?
I would like to be Bigfoot. I would be much taller and have a luxurious coat of hair, but I would still be able to do human stuff if I wanted to.What do you dislike that everyone else seems to like?
Social media. I don't understand why so many people are comfortable with broadcasting their lives to the world.
Danna Vera: Visiting Scholar in Wooster
About: I’m from Guayaquil, Ecuador. Currently, I’m working as a visiting scholar in Dr. Canas’s Lab.
Research: I help with insecticide efficacy bioassays. We do experiments with natural enemies and pests.
Get to know!
If you were a mythical creature, what would you be and why?
I would be Athena, the goddess of wisdom and military victory, and the patron of the city of Athens #GirlPowerWhat was the biggest mistake you ever made at work or in class?
The assignment for an entomology class was to rear fruit flies, and I thought it would be a good idea to do it at home because that way I could watch them develop every day and everything was fine until the adults came out and the container wasn't closed properly, then all the flies got away and flew into my living room. Since that day, I am not allowed to rear or bring live insects home.What’s your favorite family tradition?
We get together every Christmas and we drink hot chocolate at 12 a.m.What is your favorite random fact?
In the summer, the Eiffel Tower can grow up to 15 cm taller!