Dr. Rachel Mallinger, Principal Investigator
Dr. Mallinger is an assistant professor in the Department of Entomology and Nematology at the University of Florida where she conducts research and extension on native wild bees, and teaches courses on pollinator ecology and conservation. She received a B.A. in biology from Kalamazoo College in Michigan, a joint Master's in Entomology and Agroecology from the University of  Wisconsin-Madison, and a PhD in Entomology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her research interests include community ecology of pollinators, pollination biology of crop and wild plants, and landscape ecology. Outside of work, she spends time (preferably outdoors) with her family, and enjoys traveling, good food, and good books.  Download her CV here ​ and follow her on Twitter @remallinger

John Ternest, PhD student
John is a graduate student in the Mallinger Lab studying pollination ecology in commercial blueberry production. He received his bachelor's degree at the University of Colorado Boulder, where he completed an honors thesis on honey bee behavior. He then attended Purdue University where he completed a master’s degree on integrated pest and pollinator management in commercial watermelon production. His previous work has inspired him to continue researching bees, specifically at the intersection of ecology and agricultural management. Follow him on Twitter (@TernestJ) for updates on research, photos of insects, and the hijinks associated with life as a PhD student. ​

James Weaver, M.S. student
James joined the Mallinger Lab in the summer of 2018. In the past he worked with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service on habitat restoration and marine bird monitoring at Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, and also with USFWS as an ecological technician studying viability of urban landscapes for supporting migratory monarch butterflies. Most recently he worked with the U.S. Geological Survey on a habitat and health study for commercial honey bee colonies in North Dakota. He is interested in landscape-scale conservation and enhancement of habitat for native pollinators. He received his undergraduate degree in Environmental Science from The University of Texas at Austin. Connect with him here.

​Sarah Anderson, PhD student
Sarah is a PhD student in the Mallinger lab studying the effects of agricultural intensification and climate change on specialized plant-pollinator relationships. Prior to beginning at the University of Florida, she received dual bachelor’s degrees from the University of Kansas in Environmental Science and English – Creative Writing. While in Kansas, she studied the biology of multiple solitary bee species as well as the effects of habitat fragmentation and succession on insect body size. She enjoys spending her free time with family, friends, and two dogs. 

​Worrel Diedrick, PhD Student
Worrel is a graduate student in the cooperative PhD program with University of Florida (UF) and Florida Agricultural Mechanical University (FAMU). When at UF, he studies honey bee health in Dr. Mallinger’s Lab and when at FAMU in Dr. Kanga’s Lab. Previously, he completed his Master’s degree in entomology at FAMU focusing on egg parasitoids of Megacopta cribraria. His Bachelor’s degree in biology was completed at the Northern Caribbean University in Jamaica. During 2009 to 2015 he worked with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries in Jamaica as a Plant Protection Officer where he functioned as a bridge between research and extension. One of his passions is to equip farmers with cutting edge information in agriculture. Whenever it is possible, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, especially, with his children.         

​Sam Pryer, PhD student
​Sam is a PhD student in the Department of Entomology and Nematology at the University of Florida. She is originally from Arkansas, but moved to Kansas for college where she received her bachelor's in biology and master's in biology/botany from Pittsburg State University. Her bachelor's work included research with phlebotomine sand flies in Kansas and Missouri during a 3 year collaborative project with a lab at Kansas State University. For her master's, she extensively surveyed the flora of two counties in southeast Kansas. Though a botanist by training, she is particularly interested in the interactions between plants and their pollinators, as well as the evolution of these relationships. When not in the lab, she loves to explore the outdoors with her husband and dog.

​
​Shiala Morales Naranjo, Lab Manager
Shiala joined the lab in September 2019 to help with projects studying blueberry pollination and the effects of fire on floral resources and plant-pollinator interactions. She also helps with logistics to ensure a successful field season. Her past experiences include evaluating how wildflowers support pollinator communities at the University of Florida, Michigan State University, University of Central Florida, and the University of Minnesota. Outside of the lab, she enjoys biking and gardening. 

​Tarolyn Plumley, Undergraduate Researcher
Tarolyn joined the lab in the final semester of her senior year. Her initial interests were in pest management until she started learning more about pollinators, bees in particular, and fell in love. For her research project, she assessed plant-pollinator interaction networks and across land-use types, and presented at the first Virtual Spring Undergraduate Research Symposium held by the UF center for undergraduate research. She graduated with her BS in entomology and is currently interning with UF/IFAS extension. She hopes to pursue a master's degree in the near future. 

Former Lab Members
Ann Deaderick, Undergraduate Researcher - Currently pursuing a degree in theology at Emory University
Jon Elmquist, Technician and Lab Manager - Currently pursuing a MS in Entomology at Penn State
Ebony Taylor, Undergraduate Researcher - Graduated from UF December 2019
Kaleela Thompson, Undergraduate Researcher 
Alexandor McMillan, Undergraduate Intern