Julie A. Peterson
Graduate Research Assistant; Ph.D. Student
Harwood Laboratory
Department of Entomology
S-225 Agricultural Science Center N
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY 40546-0091
Ph: 859.257.2759
Fax: 859.323.1120
Email: julie.peterson@uky.edu
Education
- Seeking Ph.D., Entomology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY. Expected May 2011.
- B.A., Zoology, Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, OH. May 2007.
Research Interests
I am broadly interested in risk assessment of genetically engineered crops, ecology and behavior of generalist predators, and food webs in agroecosystems. My research uses enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) to track the uptake of Bacillus thuringiensis endotoxins into higher-order generalist predators (such as Carabidae and spiders) and their prey in transgenic corn fields. I will examine trophic linkages in the detrital food web and the potential for flow of transgenic Bt-endotoxins through these pathways, as well as examine the effects of exposure to transgenic endotoxins on non-target arthropods.
Personal Interests
Rabbits, fishing, scuba diving, Spanish, & being outdoors.
Professional Affiliations
Entomological Society of AmericaInternational Organization for Biological Control of Noxious Animals & Plants
Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society
Phi Sigma
Presentations
- (Oral) Peterson, JA, JJ Obrycki & JD Harwood. 2008. Quantifying exposure pathways in generalist predator food webs: uptake of Bt-endotoxins across multiple transgenic events. Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America, Reno, NV. Awarded First Place, President's Prize for Section P-IE1.
- (Oral) Peterson, JA & JD Harwood. 2008. Fate and exposure pathways of Bt-endotoxins in terrestrial food webs. American Chemical Society National Meeting, Philadelphia, PA.
- (Oral) Peterson, JA, JJ Obrycki & JD Harwood. 2008. Quantifying exposure pathways in carabid food webs: uptake of Bt-endotoxins from multiple transgenic events. Spring Symposium in Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, Lexington, KY.
- (Oral) Peterson, JA, JJ Obrycki & JD Harwood. 2008. Quantifying exposure pathways in carabid food webs: uptake of Bt-endotoxins from multiple transgenic events. North Central Branch Entomological Society Annual Meeting, Columbus, OH: Awarded 1st Place, Ph.D. Session I.
- (Poster) Peterson, JA, JJ Obrycki, & JD Harwood. 2007. Uptake of Bt-endotoxins by generalist predators (Coleoptera:Carabidae) in transgenic corn fields. Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America, San Diego, CA: Awarded President’s Prize Runner-up for Section Ca. Biological Control.
- (Poster) Peterson, J.A., N.A. Murray, & D.M. Johnson. 2006. Biogeography and Systematics of the genus Xylopia (Annonaceae) in New Caledonia. Ohio Wesleyan Summer Science Research Symposium, Delaware, OH & Sigma Xi Annual Meeting and Student Research Conference, Detriot, MI: Awarded rating of “Excellent”
Major Advisor
James D. Harwood
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