|
Kaitlin M. Baudier, Ph.D. - Associate Professor
I am a comparative physiologist and behavioral ecologist interested in studying how abundant and ecologically important social insects interface with variable environments on accute to evolutionary timelines. Originally from New Orleans, I received a BS in Biological Sciences from Louisiana State University and a PhD in Biological Sciences from from Drexel University before postdoc-ing in the Social Insect Research Group at Arizona State University. I joined the faculty of the School of Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences at the University of Southern Mississippi in 2021, founding the USM Lab of Social Insect Science. Since then, I have continued to enjoy the great privilege of working with a great group of students and faculty collaborators who share research interests in the areas of social insect ecology, physiology, conservation, evolution, and behavior. |
|
Karen Y. Robles López - PhD Candidate, Biological Sciences (2021-present) Dissertation project: Biogeography, symbiosis, and forest management practices as drivers of ant diversity I was born and raised in Colombia. I studied biology in the University of Cauca and did my masters in the National University of Colombia, campus Medellín. I have worked with insects in different places of Colombia and I am very interested in Ecology, plant-insect interactions, and effects of climate change. I also loved to run, swim and travel. |
|
|
Ashley Pell - MS Student, Biological Sciences (2026-present)
Thesis project: The effect of invasive species management practices on native ant fauna in long-leaf pine ecosystems I was born in Gulfport Mississippi and spent half my life living in Saucier Mississippi before moving to Silver Creek Mississippi. I attended and graduated with a Bachelor’s of Biology from USM in May of 2025 and have come back for a Masters. I grew up on a farm, which heavily influenced my love for nature and animals. Herpetology and Entomology are my two favorite biological subjects to work with, and I hope to work with conservation and field research in the future. In my free time, I’m writing down any thought that lingers in my head for too long. 🐜
|
|
|
|
Dr. Kristin M. Robinson 🐝🐜🪲- PhD Biological Sciences (2021-2026)
Dissertation: Eusocial caste specialization under abiotic and biotic stress in a stingless bee, Tetragonisca angustula - successfully defended in April 2026 Google Scholar - ORCID - Personal Website |
|
|
Vinny Halsey 🐜- 2025-present (Honors / Beckman)
Juno Fulgham 🐝- 2024-present Jacob Barnes 🐜- 2025-26 Aaron Morgan 🐜- 2024-26 (Honors) co-advised by Dr. Shahid Karim Noah Williamson 🐜- 2024-26 (Honors / Beckman) co-advised by Dr. Kayla Stan Caroline (Apollo) Marley 🐜- 2022-26 Joseph Serio 🐜🐝- 2023-25 (Honors / Goldwater) co-advised by Dr. Alex Flynt Leila Pasalo-Pichon 🐝 - 2025 Maddie Fernandez 🐝- 2025 Lila Blackburn 🐜- 2024-25 Haley Schonekas 🪲- 2023-24 |
|
|
|
|