Krischik Lab Research Staff, 2024 | IPM and Pollinator Conservation

Vera Krischik

Extension Specialist in Nursery, Greenhouse, and Landscape IPM
Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota

Vera Krischik is a University of Minnesota Associate Professor and IPM specialist with 35 years of experience promoting Integrated Pest Management (IPM), biocontrol, and compatible insecticides to protect pollinators and other good bugs in greenhouses, nurseries, lawns, urban forests, parks, and restorations. Our lab's research identifies the best ways to manage pests through IPM to reduce non-target effects on native pollinators and biocontrol insects, such as parasitoids, lady beetles, native butterflies, and native bees, such as rusty patched bumblebee, Bombus affinis, and blue orchard bee, Osmia lignaria. Data from our site specific IPM and biocontrol program is promoted by sharing our expertise at national, state, and local research and outreach meetings. Our lab was requested to be on a technical committee to help the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board develop IPM programs for their parks. We are members of two national committees on IPM for landscapes, two national committees on monarch and rusty patched bumblebee, USDA grant panels that review proposals associated with pollinators, and local efforts by businesses and municipalities to develop IPM programs. Every year we train pesticide applicators on how to correctly use pesticides in nine MDA, MNLA, UM workshops. We provide over 20 talks yearly to growers, commodity groups, and citizens on IPM and pollinators. We have an online training course on IPM and pesticides with the green industry group MNLA. We maintain IPM for Landscape, Nursery, and Greenhouse, an IPM website with technical information about pesticides and pollinators and features an online 300 page IPM manual to identify pests and develop appropriate IPM programs. In addition, we have created IPM and Pollinator Conservation, a website devoted to IPM of pollinators, with information on pollinator identification, proper host plants, and IPM management of restorations. From 2000 to 2014 the Krischik Lab taught 2 courses on IPM and pesticides that were required for the UM Horticulture Major and were canceled when the Horticulture major was canceled in 2014; ENT4015-IPM of ornamentals and turf and HORT 5009-Pesticides.

Contact: [email protected]

Julie Semrow

My name is Julie, I'm a senior in CLA in the fall of 2024, majoring in Biology, Society, and the Environment. I'm extremely passionate about environmental conservation and being involved in any way I can to help improve our local environments now and for long into the future. I'm currently working on invasive jumping worms and have been in the Krischik Lab since January of 2024.

Sophia Stone

My name is Sophia Stone, I am a senior in Plant Science on the Agroecology track. I joined the Krischik Lab in January 2024 and since then I have enjoyed my time here. I am passionate about sustainable food systems and conservation. I also have an interest in entomology and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) so this lab is a very valuable experience to me. I am currently focused on web design.

Kyle Murley

My name is Kyle Murley. I am a senior in EEB in 2024. I have always loved ecology and biology in highschool and I'm happy that I can study those same topics here! I have recently become fascinated with insects (especially bees) and conservation biology. So, I am happy to be working in the Krischik Lab. The lab has given me a lot of knowledge when it comes to research and I hope I can apply it to my future goals.

Kieran Timmins

My name is Kieran Timmins. I am a junior in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management. I love to learn new things, and I am especially interested in topics such as ecology, sustainability, and their connections to people and policy. I am currently working on a mode of biocontrol for Japanese Beetles, and have been with the Krischik Lab since 2023. This is the first lab I have worked in and it has given me the necessary experience, and insight, to understand what my future career might look like.

Madeleine Thenhaus

My name is Madeleine Thenhaus, I am a sophomore in CBS majoring in ecology, evolution, and behavior and I am very interested in all things that have to do with the environment. I joined the Krischik lab in 2023 and I've greatly enjoyed my time here since. Working here gives me hands on experience in research and will be beneficial towards my future academic and career goals.

Carrie Deans

Post-doctoral Researcher
Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota

Carrie Deans is a researcher currently working in Dr. Vera Krischik’s lab on biocontrol of Japanese beetle. Carrie holds a B.A. in Biology and a B.A. in Environmental Studies from the University of St. Thomas, (St. Paul, MN), a M.S. in Ecology and Natural Resources from St. Cloud State University (St. Cloud, MN), and a PhD in Entomology from Texas A&M University (College Station, TX). She has a background in nutritional ecology and insect eco-physiology and has worked on projects related to nutritional impacts on insecticide susceptibility and insecticide resistance in agricultural and invasive pests.

Contact: [email protected]

Cody Prouty

Cody Prouty works in Dr. Krischik’s lab on Japanese beetle biocontrol. He holds a B.S. and M.S. in Ecology from the University of Georgia. His thesis work was on the effects of neonicotinoid insecticides on monarch butterflies. Previously, Prouty worked at the University of Florida’s Honey Bee Laboratory conducting bioassays to control Varroa destructor and small hive beetle.

Contact: [email protected]

Suzanne Wold-Burkness

Suzanne is an entomologist and farmer and has worked at the University of Minnesota for 25 years. In that time she has had the opportunity to work on various Integrated Pest Management (IPM) related research projects, with several focused on beneficial insects. She has a M.S. in entomology and B.S. in Horticulture, both from the University of Minnesota. Suzanne splits her time between her home in Elk River and family farm in Mabel, Minnesota, where they grow and sell strawberries, raspberries and blueberries. She is obsessed with dragonflies and has been known to spend hours walking and sweeping for insects.

Contact: [email protected]

Ronan Keener

My name is Ronan Keener and I’m an undergraduate plant science student that’s been interested in the environment for as long as I can remember. More specifically, I’ve become interested in the ways that plants and insects interact with each other. I’m glad to be a part of the Krischik lab to better understand pollinator conservation, integrated pest management, and biocontrol!

Annabeth Johnson

My name is Annabeth Johnson and I am currently an undergraduate in Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology with a minor in Insect Science. I'm originally from rural northern MN which helped to build my love and appreciation for the environment and its inhabitants. After receiving my B.S. here I plan to return to Duluth to find a career with a wildlife refuge or environmental learning center. When I return for graduate school I hope to further develop a background in environmental education and insect fungal relationships/biocontrol methods.