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

Andrew Seiler (he/him)
Postdoctoral Fellow

I am postdoctoral researcher with the PIEE Lab working on a myriad of projects, such as field trials to identify potential organic mulch alternatives to commonly-used black plastic film, organizing the long-standing sticky card pest insect monitoring program with collaborators across Canada, and working with the PERCS research cluster examining multiple aspects of insect ecology in agroecological systems. I completed my PhD at the University of Louisville with a background in insect ecology, investigating how ‘arthropod rain’ vertically links the forest canopy with the forest floor in a tropical forest. My current research interests involve exploring how the vertical structure of habitat influences insect/arthropod communities and how that translates to the ecosystem services they provide to agricultural landscapes.

andrew.seiler[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.

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.

Daphne Chevalier (she/her)
Computational Entomology Technician

I completed my M.Sc. in the PIEE Lab, co-supervised by Dr. Juli Carrillo and Dr. Quentin Geissmann (DARSA Lab, Aarhus University). For my project, I designed, built, and deployed experimental tools to study the impacts of artificial light at night on arthropods. I’m now a technician in the lab, building and deploying insect camera traps to study community composition at different hedgerow and canopy heights. In my spare time I love hiking, woodworking, knitting, skiing, swimming in the ocean, talking about movies, going to concerts, and fixing things!

Audrey Lacey
Insect Identification Technician

I am a recent UBC Mathematics and Biology graduate passionate about entomology, mycology, and conservation. In the PIEE lab, I work with M.Sc. student Paul Fisher collecting and identifying parasitoid wasps, as well as rearing carpenter ants and leafroller caterpillars. Outside of the lab, I enjoy foraging, making zines, and rock climbing.

Caelen Watson
Lab Technician

I am an SFU alum with a Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences and an academic interest in ecology and conservation. I have previously worked for AAFC in an IPM Lab, and in an insect lab at SFU. In the PIEE Lab, I mostly work on insect sample processing. My hobbies include sundry arts and crafts, videogames, observing on iNaturalist, and trying new things.

Gabby Eaton (she/her)
Work-Learn Student

I’m a third/fourth year student in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems, majoring in Sustainable Agriculture and Environment. In the lab, I’m conducting a project on solitary bee abundance and diversity in blueberry agroecosystems, supervised by Ph.D. student Jennifer Lipka. I also support Jennifer’s research on bumblebee foraging preferences in blueberry fields. My research interests lie in the vital role of insects in food production systems and how ecological theory can inform more sustainable agricultural practices. Outside the lab, I enjoy hiking, reading science fiction, and listening to all kinds of music-from Joan Baez to the iconic Mongolian throat-singing metal band, The Hu!

Ada Patton (she/her)
NSERC USRA Student

I am a third year student in the biology program at UBC, with a focus on ecology and entomology. In the PIEE lab, I am part of a project supervised by Ph.D. student Matt Tsurda, focused on how habitat and land-use affect the size of burying beetles. I’m especially interested in how necrophagous beetles can be used as indicators of ecosystem health. Outside of the lab, I love to hike, play rugby and soccer, and make (and eat) good food!

Jay (Jamie) Nelson
Research Assistant & Directed Studies Student

I am a third year Ecology and Environmental Biology student in the Biology program, with a focus in entomology and agriculture. I work with Ph.D. student Hannah Anderson on how nocturnal moths respond to forest fragmentation in agricultural landscapes. I’m also conducting a directed studies on mealybugs as vectors for grapevine viruses, co-supervised by Juli Carillo. Outside of the lab, I love gardening, baking, singing, spending time in nature and going fossil hunting!

Calvin Brain
Research Assistant

I am a 2nd year Biology student at UBC interested in entomology. In the PIEE lab I assist Ph.D student Hannah Anderson with sample processing for her project on moth abundance and biodiversity between different sized forest habitat patches. I am originally from Boulder, Colorado and I enjoy running, skiing, climbing, and good sushi.