The Entomology Graduate Student Association (EGSA) is a student-led organization focused on entomology education, outreach, community support, professionalism, and having fun with insects.
EGSA is committed to developing education materials for learning objectives involving entomology, ecology, conservation, exploration, biodiversity, creative thinking and expression. We focus on community engagement and giving back through doing what we love - learning about insects! Our community events are offered throughout central and northeast Ohio and provide an opportunity for the public to engage with research and education experts.
Autumn 2024 Highlights
Welcoming 2024-2025 EGSA Officers & Committee Representatives
EGSA is pleased to introduce our 2024-2025 academic year officers & committee representatives
EGSA Officers
- President: Carlee Shepard
- Vice-President: Erika Wright
- Treasurer: Adam Foster
EGSA Committee representatives
- Curriculum Committee Representative: Chloe Chiu
- Scholarships and Awards Committee Representative: Danna Vera
- Graduate Studies Committee Representative: Arnol Gomez
- Digital Media Officer: Yamikani Ng’ona
- Outreach Coordinators Columbus: Brooke Donzelli | Wooster: Breh Ruger
- Social Events Coordination Chair: Columbus: Chloe Chiu | Wooster: Angel Haller
- Seminar Committee Representative: Columbus: Dante Centuori | Wooster: Brandon Shannon
- Office Coordinator: Columbus: Nicki Joseph | Wooster: Yamikani Ng’ona
EGSA & ESGP representation on CFAES Graduate Student Advisory Committee
- Columbus Afsoon Sabet (EGSA), Erika Wright (ESGP) & Hannah Dehus (ESGP)
- Wooster: Erick Martinez Rodriguez (EGSA)
EGSA Leadership Retreat
This year EGSA members had opportunities to establish our representation within the department and the college. In May EGSA members met for a retreat at Malabar Farms, located between Columbus and Wooster. While we made time to go on an insect surveying hike and to make resin art, the main item on our agenda was reviewing our organization’s constitution to propose amendments to vote on in our first full meeting in September.
As part of this review, we are excited to announce the official inclusion of post docs, visiting scholars, and research staff within our constitution as EGSA members if they wish to participate in our meetings and events. We also formally recognized the EGSA representatives on the college’s Graduate Student Advisory Committee (GSAC).
As part of GSAC, EGSA members also made a significant contribution towards the betterment of students within the whole college this year by assisting in the creation of the CFAES Graduate Students’ Rights and Responsibilities document. EGSA members Afsoon Sabet, Dom Magistrado, Erick J. Martinez Rodriguez, Erika Wright, and Hannah Dehus particularly contributed to its creation. This document was written to ensure a fair, safe, and respectful experience for all our graduate students in the college and is anticipated to be legally recognized by the college.
EGSA Engagement & Events
Community Engagement
EGSA continued its tradition of hosting and participating in annual community-oriented events this year, including the Insect Night Walk- held for the first time in Columbus, a table at the Lithopolis Honey Fest, cohosting the second annual Pumpkins & Pillbugs Halloween Bug Zoo Bash with the GSAC and Wooster Campus Staff Council, and our second annual Insect Film Festival held with Studio 35.
Social Events
This year EGSA members found different ways to connect outside of classes. In addition to cohosting a tailgate with other CFAES organizations for the homecoming game, EGSA is planning a winter potluck to close out the year. Some members also found a way to meet virtually every month through playing a role-playing game led by social committee rep Angel Haller - as arthropods. Thus far the group has faced antagonists such as terrible termites and malicious mosquitoes. Who knows what IPM strategies they may be forced to use in future games!
EGSA at ESA
This year EGSA had over 20 students representing Ohio State with presentations and posters given at the Annual Entomological Society of America (ESA) Conference in Phoenix, AZ. Five EGSA members and two undergraduate students mentored by EGSA students, were awarded prizes for their research presentations!
