March 2023 Spotlight
Brooke Donzelli: First Year PhD Student in Columbus
About: I am from Howell New Jersey, about 10 minutes from the beach! My advisor is Dr. Jamie Strange, and I am a first year PhD student!
Research: I am studying bumble bee pathogens, how they impact bumble bee health, and possible ways to reduce them!
Get to know!
If you could be any fictional character, who would it be?
If I could be one fictional character, I would be Samwise Gamgee from the Lord of the Rings. Not only would I get to go on an amazing adventure and hand out with Frodo and Gandalf, but I would get to return safely to the Shire and live out my life in a Hobbit-hole house. Sam is the unsung hero of The Lords of the Rings. I wouldn’t even mind the large hairy hobbit feet.What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?
The best gift I’ve ever received was from my Godfather and my dad. They bought me five of my favorite Joni Mitchell albums in vinyl records. She is my favorite artist and before she sadly took all her music off Spotify last year, I listened to her music every day. I haven’t stopped listening to the records since!What’s your ideal sandwich?
My ideal sandwich is a veggie sub from Wawa (a chain popular in New Jersey) with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles, cucumbers, jalapenos, EXTRA banana peppers, and EXTRA red wine vinegar. Emphasis on the extra banana peppers.
Angel Haller: First Year Master’s Student in Wooster
About: I’m from Fairfield Pennsylvania, a small town about 15 minutes from Gettysburg. I grew up on the border of Maryland, so I have the best from both worlds. I’m in Dr. Andy Michel’s lab in the entomology department studying insect adaptation!
Research: Recently there has been an emerging type of soybean aphid which has overcome natural resistance genes found in soybean plants. My research explores the potential genetic and epigenetic causes of this new adaptation!
Get to know!
Do you have a favorite memory?
The fun part about life is that I always find a new favorite memory the more I experience! I feel like I have a lot of happy memories to look back on, but If I had to pick one, it would probably be the first time I met someone I was close to in real life. We had formed a close bond online playing games together, and had finally arranged to meet in person. It was an hour and a half drive to the airport, with much anticipation growing the whole way. I wasn’t sure if I would recognize him, what if I missed him? Then as we drove slowly along the arrivals, I spotted him. I was so excited, we rolled to a stop and I JUMPED out of the car. I started RUNNING over and called out, he started to gather his things, my shoes started slipping off on the way, and I jumped into a big hug as I reached him. I almost knocked him over! It felt right out of a movie. Even though this was years ago and many things have changed, I still cherish the girlish, pure joy and excitement I had in the moment.Who is your favorite fictional villain?
Tough.. For style and aesthetic, definitely Dr. Facilier from Disney’s Princess and the Frog. For engagement and character depth, it’s a close tie between Homelander from The Boys or Eren Yeager from Attack on Titan.What do you think would most impress your five year old self? Your 15 year old self?
My 5 year old self would be ecstatic that she did in fact live her dream of becoming a “bug doctor,” and go crazy over our Bug Zoo here in Wooster. My 15 year old self would be so proud of how far we’ve come, how much we’ve flourished, and amazed at all the fantastic people I get to call my friends. She would also be super excited we finally got some awesome tattoos!
Dr. Mo Christman: Post-doctoral Scholar in Columbus
About: Dr. Mo Christman is a post-doctoral researcher in the Strange Lab within the Department of Entomology. She received her Ph.D. in Ecology from Utah State University where she was also a National Science Foundation trainee within the Climate Adaptation Science program. Prior to her Ph.D., Mo graduated with a B.S. in Biology and a B.A. in Environmental Studies from Denison University.
Research: Mo’s research integrates quantitative population modeling, ecology, statistics, and ex situ rearing practices of bumble bees to increase knowledge of and provide more accurate conservation and management practices for bumble bee assemblages throughout the USA. Currently, Mo is rearing, mating, and overwintering yellow-faced bumble bees within a controlled laboratory setting. This summer she will be assessing the impact of habitat quality and management practices on rusty-patched bumble bee abundance and colony density in Conservation Reserve Program fields in the Midwest.
Get to know!
If your pet could talk, what do you think they might say about you?
If Carlton (my spoiled three-year-old pitbull) could talk, he would say that I am the best mama ever because I provide him with all of the cuddles, llamacorns, and treats. He would also loudly complain that two trips a day to the dog park is not sufficient and that we need to adopt a cat.What is your favorite TV series?
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Danny DeVito is a national treasure.What's something you’d like to learn? Academically, a skill, or just for fun!
This year I want to learn how to build an epoxy coffee table (in progress)!