It Takes a Colony: Building an Undergraduate-Centered Entomology Program
November 16, 2026 3:30PM - 5:00PM
Natural Science Building, Room 244
Contact: Heather Lenartson-Kluge lenartso@msu.edu
Speaker: Jorge R. Paredes-Montero, Saginaw Valley State University
Host: Hannah Burrack
Contact the host to make an appointment with the speaker.
Seminars are at 3:30pm on Mondays in Room 244, Natural Science Building, unless otherwise noted. Snacks are provided at 3:15pm.
Seminar Description: This seminar will explore how undergraduate students can be meaningfully integrated into entomological research and outreach. Drawing from a range of student-driven projects, the seminar will highlight questions surrounding why some insect populations become invasive while others remain localized, and how ecological and genetic processes shape those invasion patterns. Examples will span environmental DNA, insect microbiomes, and gene-function studies. The seminar will also discuss Insect-a-Palooza, a student-led insect festival that has grown into a popular community event for families from the Saginaw Bay region, over the past three years.
Biography: Dr. Jorge Paredes-Montero is an Assistant Professor at Saginaw Valley State University. He earned his Ph.D. with a focus on Entomology and Insect Science from the University of Arizona where he later conducted postdoctoral research on insect vectors of plant diseases. At SVSU, he integrates undergraduate teaching with research examining how insect pests adapt to new environments, interact with microbial partners, and acquire traits associated with invasiveness. His work emphasizes creating meaningful opportunities for undergraduate students to participate in insect science research and community outreach.
Print
Email