Hello, my name is Beck. Although my love for science can be traced back into childhood, my first introduction to research was during my undergraduate career at MacEwan University. During my time as a research assistant for Dr. Leah Flaherty, I assessed microsporidian disease load in adult Malacosoma disstria, more commonly known as forest tent caterpillars (FTC). Additionally, I assisted Dr. Flaherty in the set-up and maintenance of more than 60 colonies of FTC juveniles. As a research assistant to Dr. Kevin Judge during the 2023 field season, I worked with a team of scientists to collect Cyphoderris monstrosa adults in Hinton, Alberta. Under the guidance of Dr. Karen Christensen-Dalsgaard, I conducted an undergraduate research study assessing the proprioceptive capabilities of bryophytes through their filamentous juvenile stage, protonema. 

Following the completion of my Bachelor of Science in Ecology, I was accepted into the Evenden lab to conduct research on semiochemical signalling in western alfalfa weevils (Hypera postica) and its application in integrated past management (IPM). My research aims to identify pheromones produced by alfalfa weevils during reproduction and feeding. Then, I will measure the behavioral and electrophysiological response to the collected pheromones as well as plant volatiles. Finally, I seek to assess the efficacy of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) as a biological control solution for western alfalfa weevils. Little has been shown about what cues are utilized by EPNs for detection of western alfalfa weevils specifically, but research in other genera indicate that an olfactory component is responsible for host location. Therefore, I will assess the behavioural responses of EPNs to different cues, such as western alfalfa weevil pheromones and host plant volatiles, utilizing olfactometry. The ultimate goal of my research is to serve as a basis for which the aforementioned concepts may be used to develop tools and techniques that take advantage of semiochemical signalling to control western alfalfa weevil populations.