People
Lab director
Sam's research and teaching are centered around the ecology and management of native and non-native insects. Aside from work, Sam enjoys spending time with his wife (Becca), their sons (Owen and Callum), running, playing soccer, and hiking with the family dogs (Ani and Lulu).
ward.1792 'at' osu.edu
OSU Department of Entomology Profile
lab members
Grace Amponsah, MS Student
BS Earth University (Limon, Costa Rica), Licentiate Degree in Agriculture Grace is pursuing a MS in Environmental Studies (Environmental Studies Graduate Program) through the Department of Entomology. Her research efforts aim to optimize the timing of treatments to slow the spread of spongy moth. Grace enjoys kizomba dancing, climate activism, language acquisition, cooking, and travel.
amponsah.37 'at' osu.edu
Thomas Paul, PhD student
MS in Entomology, Mississippi State UniversityBS in Biology (Minor: Chemistry), Valparaiso UniversityTom is pursuing a PhD in Entomology, researching drivers of global patterns of invasion by insects closely associated with trade. Outside of entomology and learning about critters, Tom plays his fair share of video games, spends time playing cello, and loves to hike and ID wildflowers along the way.
paul.1187 'at' osu.edu
Jessi Raubenolt, MS Student
Co-advised with Dr. Kayla PerryBS in Environmental Science/Biology, Ashland UniversityJessi is researching ambrosia beetle thermal biology and biosecurity of the wood packaging materials pathway. Outside work and school, she enjoys hiking, collecting and pinning insects, playing video games, and spending time with her pets!
raubenolt.20 'at' osu.edu
Afsoon Sabet, PhD student
Co-advised with Dr. Risa PesapaneMS in Entomology, Mississippi State UniversityBS in Molecular Biology, West Virginia UniversityBA in Music, West Virginia UniversityAfsoon is pursuing a PhD in Entomology, investigating hard tick ecology and behavior with a focus on tick questing. She is broadly interested in vector-borne diseases and public health. In her spare time, Afsoon enjoys reading and spending time outdoors.
sabet.17 'at' osu.edu
Amber Stiller, MS Student
BS in Biology (Minor: Chemistry), University of North Carolina at CharlotteAmber is pursuing a MS in Entomology, investigating the biological control of crapemyrtle bark scale, a common landscape pest of the southeastern US. She is most interested in urban tree entomology and how biological control may be incorporated into this system. Outside of the lab, Amber enjoys hiking, playing musical instruments, and reading.
stiller.13 'at' osu.edu
Elisabeth Mumper, Undergraduate researcher
Elisabeth is pursuing a BS in Environmental Science, with a specialization in Ecosystem Restoration. Outside of schoolwork, she enjoys participating in club events, such as fish trapping and different forms of sampling, as well as hiking and working out.
MK Ruff, Undergraduate researcher
MK is pursuing a BS in Environmental Science, with a focus in Ecosystem Restoration. In her free time, she enjoys trail running/hiking, reading or watching movies, and traveling to new locations.
Elliott Ross, Undergraduate researcher
Elliott is pursuing her BS in Entomology, with a minor in Forestry, Fisheries, and Wildlife, with most of her studies regarding insect ecosystem dynamics and biodiversity in North America. She's also an illustrator, president of the Undergraduate Entomology Club at OSU, and an avid member of the Columbus punk community!
LAb alumni
Graduate students
- Erika Wright (MS in Entomology, Mississippi State University): PhD student with Mary Gardiner at Ohio State University.
- Kristy McAndrew (PhD in Entomology, Mississippi State University): Assistant Professor of Extension Forestry, Department of Forestry, Mississippi State University.
Undergraduate students
- Meg Kilgore (Mississippi State University)
- Ariadna Santos Chaves (Mississippi State University)
Research technicians
- David Long (Mississippi State University)
High school students
- Isaac Riggins (Starkville High School)
Lab Photos Archive
The LEAFE Lab at the 2021 Mississippi Entomological Association Meeting
Left to Right: Afsoon, Kristy, Sam, Erika, Tom