About Katherine:
I am a PhD student co-advised by Drs. Brian Nault and Sara Emery. I study onion thrips (Thrips tabaci) in commercial onion systems with the goals of understanding landscape-scale movement of thrips and improving pest management strategies. Previously, I obtained my masters degree in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology at Columbia University. My research there assessed plant associations with the spotted lanternfly across its life cycle using photos posted on iNaturalist. Prior to pursuing graduate studies, I worked as a Horticulturist to maintain several greenspaces in New York City. My experience mitigating pest organisms, such as invasive insects, in a hands-on manner was instrumental in fostering my interest in integrated pest management and drive to work with growers.