Current Lab Members

Juli Carrillo (she/her/elle)
Associate Professor

I am a community ecologist, evolutionary biologist and PI of the PIEE Lab! I completed my B.A. in Economics at Rice University in Houston, TX, with a focus on evolutionary game theory. I continued on at Rice in the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology program, completing a master’s thesis focused on insect mating behaviour in houseflies, and a Ph.D. examining the ecology and evolutionary biology of plant-herbivore-predator interactions in invasive and native populations of Chinese tallow tree. I then joined the Entomology department at Purdue University as a NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellow, where I further examined the role of plant evolutionary history in multi-species interactions, focusing on wild-crop relatives in tomato, plant-soil feedbacks, and tri-trophic plant defense against herbivores. I love Texas BBQ, Indiana sweet corn, and BC berries!

juli.carrillo[at]ubc.ca

Carly McGregor (she/they)
Lab Manager

I am an ecologist driven by solution-oriented interdisciplinary research, with interests in biodiversity, agroecology, and pollination. I completed a BSc in Ecology at Concordia University, where I conducted research on dragonfly ecophysiology and species distribution modelling of birds and mammals. During my MSc in Resources, Environment & Sustainability at UBC, I evaluated the pollinator conservation potential of farm hedgerows and grassland set-aside fields in the agricultural landscape of Delta, BC. In the PIEE lab, I support researchers in their varied scientific pursuits as lab manager, and conduct insect agroecological research on the UBC Farm. Outside of research, I enjoy hiking, rock climbing, good chats, and baking desserts.

carly.mcgregor[at]ubc.ca

Jennifer Lipka (she/her)
Ph.D. student

I am a 2nd year Ph.D. student in Plant Science at the lab. I completed my M.Sc. of Integrated Studies in LFS with the lab studying bumble bee foraging preferences at the UBC Farm. My undergrad is a B.A. in Geography majoring in Environment and Sustainability. My current research investigates competition for pollination services between crop flowers (blueberry) and additional flowers (such as ‘weedy’ flowers, like dandelion). My favourite activities are gardening, playing board games, and eating chocolate!

jennifer.lipka[at]ubc.ca

Hannah Anderson (she/her)
Ph.D. student

I am a PhD student in the Plant Science program. I completed my BSc. undergraduate degree in 2022 from Carleton University in Biology with a focus in ecology and evolution. I developed an interest for insects and incorporated them in my honours undergraduate thesis where I studied a biomarker commonly used to study insect (and vertebrate) physiology. My background in biology led me to work with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada as a research assistant in plant breeding. This motivated me to pursue further research in agriculture, where I can dive into subjects I’m passionate about. I’m generally interested in pollination ecology and supporting our pollinators which led me to my current project in the PIEE lab! I’m studying nocturnal pollination by moths in highbush blueberries. I am aiming to create a better understanding of the nocturnal pollinators that are working hard in our agroecosystems, and how we can support them. In my free time you can find me listening to music, hiking, or crocheting.

Rebecca Pain (she/her)
M.Sc. student

I am a M.Sc. student in the Plant Science Program. I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Alberta in Biological Sciences. During my time there, I developed a love for insects and biological pest management. My project is interested in how habitat enhancements influence pests and biological control across agricultural landscapes in the Delta region. Spotted-wing drosophila is a common pest of multiple cultivated fruits in the area and will be of particular interest in my project. In my spare time, I like to do needlework crafts and knitting, run, and ski when I can! 

rpain[at]mail.ubc.ca

Jade Sherwood (she/her)
M.Sc. student

Currently completing my Undergrad at UFV in Agricultural Science, I am now working towards my MSc in Plant Science at UBC. Here I plan to explore the distribution of the invasive strawberry blossom weevil (Anthonomus rubi) and associated parasitoids in the invaded ranges of Canada and their native ranges in Europe. Using molecular identification tools and collaboration with specialists’, habitats will be sampled to determine the identity, phenology and impact of parasitoids for use as potential biological control options for A. rubi in Canada. My background into plant/entomology research began in 2019 while working with the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug and Trissolcus japonicus. In 2020, working with Spotted-winged Drosophila (SWD) and their associated parasitoids, Leptopilina japonica, exploring enemy risk effects from lingering chemical cues of L. japonica on food substrate of SWD. Concluding BOTH male and female parasitoids elicited a response in SWD who avoided ovipositing in substrate previously exposed to L. japonica parasitoids. During my free time you can find me in the mountains!

Melody Sizer (she/her)
M.Sc. student

I am a M.Sc. student in Plant Science. I became interested in plant ecology in agriculture and forestry while completing my B.Sc. in Biology at the University of Victoria. My background is mainly in integrated pest management, sustainable pesticide development, and invasion biology. My project will focus on agricultural pest insects and their natural enemies at different trophic levels to explore how the success of one pathogen, parasite, or predator impacts the success of another on the same host. I’m otherwise mostly interested in horror movies and learning how to sew.

Eva Burghardt (she/her)
M.Sc. student

I am a M.Sc. student in the Plant Science program, focusing on parasitism of aphids in blueberries and identifying specific aphid species as potential vectors of blueberry scorch virus in the Lower Mainland. Throughout my B.Sc. in animal biology at UBC, working in industry as an Integrated Pest Management scout for a local consulting service sowed the seeds for my budding interest in entomology. Working with fellow researchers cultivated my interest in greener agriculture and harnessing predator-prey relationships for biological pest control. I started as a work-learn student in the PIEE lab in 2022, and my love for fieldwork and my peers in entomology only grew! After monitoring SWD presence on UBC farm, dissecting Himalayan blackberries, and assisting a fellow graduate student studying nocturnal pollination, I couldn’t be more excited to be conducting my own research over the course of my M.Sc. degree. Outside of the lab, you can find me trying out new knitting patterns, gardening for my neighbours, or starting mosh pits at local punk shows! See you out there!

evabee[at]student.ubc.ca

Paul Fisher (he/him)
M.Sc. student

I am a M.Sc. student in the plant science program focusing on parasitoid wasp diversity in agricultural ecosystems and how they are affected by habitat restoration. I completed my B.Sc. in environmental science at UBC in 2022. I started in the PIEE lab as an undergraduate student, helping with field work and learning insect identification. After graduating, I continued working as a research technician focusing on identifying parasitoids for various projects going on in the lab. Outside of research, I like running, hiking, cycling, and playing disc golf.

Tianzi Gu (she/her)

I am a visiting scholar in PIEE lab working on insect chemical ecology. I completed my Ph.D. at Nanjing Forestry University in 2019 and then continue doing research on insect olfactory system at Anhui Agricultural University. My research projects in China were aiming to investigate the selective detection mechanism of pheromone receptors that mediate reproductive isolation in two Notodontidae species (Clostera restitura and Micromelalopha sieversi) and to identify key olfactory genes that involved in insect foraging and oviposition, based on which we can find some target genes that could be applied in pest control. I have strong interest in the interaction between insects and plants which led me to join in the PIEE lab. I like fruit flies, berries and our lab, hope we can spend quality time together.

Grace Wang (she/her)
Field and Lab Research Technician

I started my journey in the PIEE Lab as a work-learn student, working on the UBC Farm long-term monitoring project as well as designing and conducting my own experiments on how diet and resource levels affect the emergence of Drosophila suzukii and their parasitoids. Now, as a research technician, I lead three projects. I’m comparing Bioform’s prototype alginate mulch to other commercial mulches to see how it performs in crop production, weed control, and pest management. I’m also looking into how floral resources impact parasitoid abundance and diversity in commercial blackberries. Additionally, I’m designing experiments to explore the interactions between D. suzukii and Leptopilina japonica and how fear influences their behaviour.

Outside the lab, you’ll often find me crafting, gardening, baking, or making jam!

gracew.wang[at]ubc.ca

Xinru Wang
Work-Learn & Directed Studies Student

As a 4th year student, I am blessed to have the opportunity to explore my interests and passion in various fields of biology such as human stem cells and soil science. As for now in the PIEE lab, I work with my thumb-size little friends Camponotus modoc, Western carpenter ants, to explore their potential in pest management. Aside from studying, I spend my time reading novels and sometimes writing short narratives of my own.

Juvraj Singh Toor (he/him)
Directed Studies Student

I am a fourth-year undergraduate Biology student at UBC, with a passion for entomology, arachnology, and ecology which developed during my third year. Currently, I am conducting a directed studies project in the PIEE lab, focusing on identifying arachnids to compare their abundance between agricultural production fields and grassland set-asides. My interest in this project grew after assisting Ph.D. student Matt Tsuruda with sampling fields in Delta this summer. I became captivated by the diversity and behaviour of arachnids during that time. Outside the lab, I enjoy playing ice hockey, working out, and working at the Pacific Autism Family Network’s JET program.

Jacob McPherson (he/him)
Undergraduate Research Assistant

I am an undergraduate Biology student in my fifth year of study at UBC. Working as a student research assistant with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada with a focus on Entomology and Molecular Biology has served to grow my deep interest in Entomological research and integrated pest management. My current work, co-supervised by Dr. Juli Carrillo and Dr. Michelle Franklin, focuses on characterization and transmission dynamics of several blueberry viruses in their aphid vectors, in BC highbush blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.). This work aims to understand and reduce the transmission of such viruses. At the PIEE lab, I am working closely with M.Sc. student Eva Burghardt, where I focus on aphid sampling and morphologic identification. When I am not looking deep into the lens of a microscope or pipetting clear, colourless liquids, I enjoy playing board games, camping, and eating BC’s amazing blueberries!

Cameron Donnelly (she/her)
Honours Thesis Student

I am a fourth-year student in the Sustainable Agriculture & Environment program. I work as a research assistant in the Sustainable Agricultural Landscapes Lab, which has taught me tons about soil science, agroecology, and climate change. I initially became fascinated with entomology when I had to curate a diverse insect collection for a course. I am excited to join the PIEE Lab, where I will be exploring the relationship between extrafloral nectar, environmental conditions, and ant behavior. In my free time, I enjoy doing cartwheels, leading backpacking trips, teaching ski lessons, and cooking for friends and family!