People in the Lamp Lab
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William Lamp
Professor Email: [email protected] Office: PLSC4138 Bill Lamp's work on plant-insect interactions and aquatic entomology has integrated molecular, physiological, community and ecosystem approaches to address IPM issues and the consequences of field- and landscape-level processes. His research helps define his unique role in teaching and outreach activities; and his interaction with students and stakeholders helps generate new directions for research. His combined activities in research, teaching, and outreach have enabled him to foster the discovery of knowledge, the development of students, the management of insect pests, and overall to contribute to the University and the science of entomology. Research Interests: The theme of my research is the ecology of insects in the human environment, and my projects align within three broad fields: integrated pest management (IPM) of forage crops, understanding ecology of emerging insect pests, and the implications of IPM and land use on invertebrates in streams and wetlands. 
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Shane Windsor
Lab Manager Email: [email protected] Shane developed a deep fascination and appreciation for insects towards the start of his Sophomore year, after he started photographing them and uploading them to iNaturalist, which led him to pursue entomology as a career and field of study. Shane started working in the Lamp Lab in the summer of 2021, while working on his Entomology Honors thesis project on the diversity and distribution of parasitoid wasps. After successfully completing and defending his thesis, Shane was one of the first two students to graduate with UMD's entomology minor in May of 2022. Shane continues to work in the Lamp Lab using his experience in identifying insects and processing samples while looking into and applying for grad school programs. In his spare time he enjoys hiking and traveling to observe new species and add to his ever-growing iNaturalist profile. Research interests: Wasps, biological control, ecology, behavior |
Current graduate Students:
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Helen Craig
M.S. Entomology Graduate Student and previous Lab Manager Email: [email protected] Office: PLSC 4124 Helen graduated from University of Maryland in May 2022 after majoring in Ecology and Evolution and minoring in Sustainability. She joined the Lamp Lab as lab manager and then transitioned to graduate student in the fall of 2023. Helen studies climate mitigation using insects as food and feed, specifically using black soldier fly larvae as a methane-mitigating protein supplement in dairy cattle. Her project looks at the environmental, social, and economic implications of insect protein in dairy cattle ultimately to determine the sustainability of insect protein supplements. Helen loves to work with students and find ways to support early scientists or students who are simply curious about the topic. If you have questions, email her! Research Interests: The intersection of sustainability and entomology, especially insects as food and feed. Publications and blog posts:
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Amanda Brucchieri
M.S. Entomology Graduate Student Email: [email protected] Office: PLS 4124 Before attending the University of Maryland for graduate school, Amanda earned a Bachelors of Science degree in Organismal Biology from Kent State University. Her interest in research was piqued right after graduating high school when she participated in community, population and behavioral research of elephants, rhinos, buffalos, lions and leopards in South Africa. Through her time at Kent Amanda took part in more research opportunities focusing primarily on plants and insects and studied abroad in Italy, Poland and Costa Rica. Graduating amidst the COVID pandemic Amanda interned at the Holden Arboretum in Kirtland, Ohio where she studied pollinator visitation and plant community structure in response to restoration techniques. Through this internship she presented her research in various formats that inspired an interest in teaching and extension. Since joining the Lamp Lab in the Fall of 2022 Amanda has been making large strides in the research for her Masters Thesis, focusing on the characteristics of farm ponds that can be managed to promote dragonflies as conservation biological control agents in agroecosystems. Having completed two full field seasons and a large majority of sample processing in the lab, Amanda plans to defend her thesis in April or May 2025. During her time at UMD Amanda has served as a TA for Freshwater Biology (BSCI 467) and Insect Apocalypse: Real or Imagined (BSCI145). She is also the current President of the Entomological Student Organization, ESO and was the Social Chair for the 2023-2024 term. She is excited to take advantage of opportunities in education and extension during the rest of her time at UMD and plans to pursue a career in Education and/or Extension after graduation. Research Interests: Aquatic macro invertebrates in rural, urban and agricultural systems. |
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Robert Salerno M.S. Entomology Graduate Student Email: [email protected] Office: PLS 4124 Robert received a bachelor's degree in Organismal Biology from the State University of New York at Oswego (2022). In the past, he worked with oak twig pruner beetles (Anelaphus villosus and A. parralelus) performing morphometric and molecular identification. Robert now studies the response of soil arthropods and their ecosystem services to the ecological intensification of forage systems with a focus on diverse, perennial, circular systems. To do so he is implementing novel methods to monitor soil arthropod communities in agroecosystems and investigating their role in decomposition through bait lamina testing. Research Interests: Robert's research interests include agricultural sustainability, integrated pest management, conservation biocontrol, and biodiversity within agroecosystems. Publications: Brown, W. P., Salerno, R., & Cursino, L. (2021). Anelaphus villosus (Fabricius) and A. parallelus (newman) (coleoptera: Cerambycidae) can be accurately distinguished using body measurements and DNA barcoding. The Canadian Entomologist |
Current Undergraduate Students:
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Yasmine Helbling (Class of 2025)
Undergraduate Email: [email protected] Major: Ecology and Evolution Minor: Entomology Yasmine is an undergraduate student working on her Entomology Honors program at the Lamp Lab. Her honors research looks at parasitoids of aphids in alfalfa across resistant and susceptible varieties to determine if host-plant resistance inadvertently increases secondary pest populations by reducing biocontrol. Research Interests: Ecology, biodiversity, conservation, integrated pest management, mycology, and animal behavior |
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Holden Denyer (Class of 2025)
Undergraduate Email: [email protected] Major: Media Design Minor: Entomology Holden is a current Immersive Media Design student with a secondary passion in entomology. He hopes to combine aspects of computer programming, digital design and environmental research in his future career. Working in the field of entomology has enabled Holden to combine many of these aspects, all while enhancing his love for bugs! Research Interests: Soil Arthropods, IPM, Insect-environment interactions |
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Maya Hensley (Class of 2025)
Undergraduate Email: [email protected] Major: Biology Minor: Entomology Maya is an undergraduate biology major and entomology minor working on her honor thesis, studying the impacts of resistant alfalfa cultivars on insects within the suborder Auchenorrhyncha. She has prior internship experiences with the Lamp Lab, working alongside graduate student Helen Craig on the use of insects as food and feed and an RCAP intern, in which a nation-wide sustainability grant provides undergraduates opportunities to perform their own research projects. Maya is also the undergraduate representative of the Entomology Student Organization, so feel free to reach out for any questions :). Research Interests: Evolution, entomology, ecology, freshwater biology, and animal behavior. |
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Katherine Siniuk (Class of 2025)
Undergraduate Email: [email protected] Katherine is an undergraduate student working on her Entomology Honors program at the Lamp Lab. Her honors research looks at the decomposition of both native and invasive leaf varieties in streams to determine if it impacts macroinvertebrate assemblages. |
Former Postdoctoral Associates:
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Dr. Peter Jensen
Post-doc (2007-2009) |
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Former Masters Students:
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Former Doctoral Students:
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Former Lab Managers:
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