Arnol Gomez Santos: First Year Master's Student in Wooster

About: I was born in the Stann Creek District, located in southern Belize, just a short five-minute drive from the wonderful Placencia Peninsula. I have always been fascinated by marine life, particularly blue crabs, and sea turtles. During their mating season, when I was younger, I would spend countless nights on the seashore watching these magnificent creatures nest. About two months later, I would witness the young turtles hatch and make their way back to the ocean. Although I am a beach guy, I have the unique trait of being quite tolerant of low temperatures. Unlike most people from tropical countries like me, I can comfortably go without a sweater in temperatures between 45 and 55° F.

Research: I currently work in Dr. Ashley Leach’s Specialty Crop Entomology Lab and my research focuses on the evaluation of a multifaceted IPM program for the management of thrips populations on peppers. In other words, our objective is to present thrips with various hurdles that synergistically can reduce their populations on these vegetable production systems.

Get to know!

1. Do you see the glass as half-full or half-empty and why?
   I would say I see the glass as half-full just because for me at least, it is easier to acknowledge what is already in the glass rather than fixating on what is absent. As an individual, I derive happiness from what I already possess and trust that with time and effort, I can accomplish the remaining goals I have yet to attain. 
2. How do you de-stress after a particularly rough day?
   It all depends on which day of the week. For instance, if it’s a Monday-Wednesday, would probably go to the gym and then watch a movie show (love movie shows!). If it’s a Thursday would play Volleyball but if it’s a Friday, it can only be one thing, and that is going out with my friends for beers. 
3. If you could be any insect, which would you be and why?  
   If I could be an insect, I would definitely be a Madagascan Sunset Moth! So, one of the things I have always asked myself about is, why didn’t we evolve wings? To be completely honest with you all, I have always been jealous of winged animals, so if I would get to be a winged insect, I would love to have the most colorful wings of all (image below)!

Ellen Danford: Second Year Master's Student Environmental Science Graduate Program in Columbus

About: My name is Ellen Danford, I’m originally from Lexington, Kentucky and I got my Bachelor’s degrees in Spanish and Geography at Western Kentucky University (go Tops!). I am a master’s student with Dr. Gardiner in the Environmental Science Graduate Program here at OSU.

Research: I am researching the impact urban socioeconomic inequities, habitat fragmentation or urban spontaneous vegetation availability have on the ability of insects (lady bugs, syrphids and bees in particular) to utilize conservation green spaces. Hopefully this knowledge can then be used to combat inequitable access to quality conservation spaces and provide better access to habitat for urban insects.

Get to know!

1. Who would you want to portray your life story in a movie? 
   Georgie Henley (Lucy from the Chronicles of Narnia) and I looked almost identical when the first movie came out in 2005, so I feel it’d be a fun nod to our shared childhood haircut and freckles for her to play me in a movie.
2. If money was no object, what would you do for the day?
   If money were no object on one particular day, I’d love to see the Kentucky Derby! I’ve always watched on TV, but never gone to the live race.
3. What was the first concert you ever went to?  
   The first concert I ever went to was a Lexington Philharmonic ‘PB&J’ concert. That series aimed at entertaining kids over the summers of my youth and they’d let the kids try playing the instruments, which is where I first attempted to play the trombone. I’ve been playing the trombone for over 10 years now, so I’d say it had a pretty lasting impact on my musical life!

Alden Siperstein: Fourth Year PhD Student in Columbus

About: I grew up in the suburbs of Cleveland where I spent a good chunk of time loitering in Coventry with friends. I'm a PhD student advised by Dr. Megan Meuti in the Entomology Department

Research: I study different aspects of bloodmeals and biting in mosquitoes, looking at traits associated with transcript abundance and gene expression in biting and non-biting mosquitoes, the seasonality of biting in central Ohio, host preferences of mosquitoes in central Ohio, and the evolutionary history of biting and why it has been lost so many times in hematophagous lineages, including in many different mosquitoes. I hope that my research can go to developing novel pesticides and sustainable IPM practices to better mitigate biting rates of disease carrying mosquitoes.

Get to know!

1. What's your favorite thing to cook?
   Chana masala is one of my favorite things to cook. It is both deeply customizable where you can add different spices and ingredients to completely change the flavor profile of the dish but also very easy to make with its base ingredients. A must try if you like Indian dishes.
2. What song or songs do you always sing along to?
   Atlantic City - The Band, Brazil - Declan McKenna, & Raspberry Beret - Prince
3. Where was your first job? What did it teach you?
   Junior Camp Counselor and then Canoeing Instructor for a sleep-away summer camp. It really helped me work better with children from the ages of 6 - 16 and how to plan a series of courses that can be completed by children from such a large age range. It also taught me a lot of patience and compassion.
4. Most unusual thing you’ve eaten?
   Deep Fried Tarantula. I don't know the species, but the thorax was where the flavor is at.