Susan Romero
Post Doctoral Fellow, Harwood Laboratory
Ph.D. Kansas State University (2007)
Department of Entomology
S-225 Agricultural Science Center N
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY 40546-0091
Ph: 859.257.1120
Fax: 859.323.1120
Email: susan.romero@uky.edu
Research Interests
Terrestrial arthropod food web ecology; landscape ecology with a focus on spatial and temporal dynamics of predator/prey interactions; conservation biological control; and behavior of spiders and other arthropods.
Linyphiid spiders are some of the most common natural enemies
in agroecosystems in Kentucky (photos J. Harwood)
CURRICULUM VITAE
Educational Background
| 2007 | Ph.D. | Entomology | Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS |
| 1999 | M.Sc. | Zoology | Miami University, Oxford, OH |
| 1996 | B.Sc. | Biology, cum laude | College of Mt. St. Joseph, Cincinnati, OH |
Academic and Research Positions
| 2008 – pres. | Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky |
| 2003 – 2007 | Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Entomology, Kansas State University |
| 2001 – 2003 | Biological Science Technician – Insects - USDA/ARS - Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, FL |
| 2000 | Adjunct Instructor, Miami University |
| 1998 – 2000 | Adjunct Instructor, College of Mt. St. Joseph |
| 1996 – 1999 | Graduate Teaching and Research Assistant, Miami University |
| 1995 – 1996 | Undergraduate Research Assistant, College of Mt. St. Joseph |
Fellowships and Awards
| 2008 – 2009 | University of Kentucky Postdoctoral Research Fellowship |
| 2005 | President’s Prize, runner-up, Student Poster Competition, Entomological Society of America, Ft. Lauderdale, FL |
| 2005 | First Place, Student Poster Competition, Central States Entomological Society Annual Meeting, Lawrence, KS |
| 2005 | R.H. Painter Memorial Scholarship, Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS |
| 2004 | Kansas State University, Graduate Student Council Travel Scholarship |
| 2003 -2004 | Timothy R. Donoghue Graduate Scholarship, Kansas State University |
Research Support
| 2008 – 2009 | P. I. - Research Fellowship for Women in Underserved Areas, Office of the Vice-President for Research, University of Kentucky ($80,000.) |
| 1995-1996 | P. I. - Ohio Biological Survey Individual Research Grant ($250.) |
| 1995-1996 | Co-P.I. - P.I. G. Kritsky, Ohio Biological Diversity Grant, Ohio Department of Natural Resources ($21,000.) |
| 1995 | P.I. - Indiana Academy of Science Student Research Grant ($500.) |
Publications
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Romero, S. A., & J. D. Harwood. Diel and seasonal patterns of prey available to epigeal predators: Evidence for food limitation in a linyphiid spider community. Biological Control. dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2009.09.013
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Romero, S., J. F. Campbell, J. R. Nechols & K. A. With. 2009. Movement behavior in response to landscape structure: role of functional grain. Landscape Ecology 24: 39-51
- Kritsky, G., S. Reidel, A. J. Savage & J. Smith. 1998. A survey of the summer tiger beetles of the Ohio River beaches in Ohio and eastern Indiana. Entomological News 109(3): 165-171
- Kritsky, G. & S. Reidel. 1997. Evidence of a male - choice sexual selection in Cicindela repanda (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae). Cicindela 28: 53 – 59
- Kritsky, G., L. Horner, S. Reidel, & A. J. Savage 1996. The status of some tiger beetles (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae: Cicindela spp.) in Southern Ohio. Ohio Journal of Science 96.1: 29-30
Publications Submitted
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Romero, S. A., J. F. Campbell, J. R. Nechols & K. A. With. Search behavior of red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum): response to habitat cues and patch boundaries. Submitted to Environmental Entomology
Publications in preparation
- Romero, S. A., J. F. Campbell, J.R. Nechols & K. A. With. Putting most of the eggs in one basket: influence of habitat fragmentation on space use. To be submitted to Landscape Ecology – November 2009
- Romero, S., J. F. Campbell, & J. R. Nechols. Resource spatial pattern and quality modifies survival and development of red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum). To be submitted to Insect Science
- Peterson, J.A., S. A. Romero & J.D. Harwood. Pollen interception by linyphiid spiders: effect of anthesis on dietary supplementation and prey availability. To be submitted to Arthropod-Plant Interactions
- Chapman, E. G., S. A. Romero & J. D. Harwood. A comparison of collecting methods for DNA-based gut content analysis: does contamination occur during vacuum sampling?
- Romero, S. A., E. G. Chapman & J. D. Harwood. Prey selection by the Tetragnathid spider (Glenognatha foxi): molecular tracking of multiple pest prey in the field.
- Romero, S. A. & J. D. Harwood. Spatial pattern of predation by an epigeal spider community: the response to prey diversity and abundance in the field.
Invited Symposium Presentations
- 2009 J.D. Harwood, K.D. Welch & S. A. Romero. Niche partitioning and resource utilization by linyphiid spiders. North Central Branch Annual Meeting, Entomological Society of America, St. Louis, MO
- 2008 S. A. Romero and J. D. Harwood. Nocturnal foraging patterns of linyphiid spiders: implications for biological control. Section Symposium: Seizing the Night: Nocturnal Studies of Insect Predation Yield New Insights. Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting, Reno, NV
- 2008 S. A. Romero, J. F. Campbell, and J. R. Nechols. Using Tribolium castaneum as a model to evaluate influence of landscape structure on behavior. International Congress of Entomology: Durban, South Africa
Seminars
| 2009 | Evaluating the potential of generalist predators for biological control. USDA/APHIS/CPHST, Raleigh, NC |
| 2007 | Influence of landscape structure on movement behavior and habitat use by red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum). Department of Entomology, Kansas State University |
| 2005 | DNA barcoding in insects. Department of Entomology, Kansas State University |
Oral Presentations
| 2009 | Romero, S. A., & J. D. Harwood. Predation by epigean web spiders: variation across diel and seasonal gradients. International Congress of Ecology, Brisbane, Australia |
| 2009 | Peterson, J. A., S. A. Romero, J. G. Lundgren & J. D. Harwood. Spatial variation in interception frequency of corn pollen: the role of non-prey food for a generalist predator. International Congress of Ecology, Brisbane, Australia |
| 2009 | Romero, S. A. & J. D. Harwood. Diel and seasonal patterns of prey availability to epigeal predators: evidence for food limitation in a linyphiid spider community. Annual Meeting of the American Arachnological Society, Russellville, AR |
| 2009 | Peterson, J. A., S. A. Romero, & J. D. Harwood. Pollen interception by linyphiid spiders: effect of anthesis on dietary supplementation and prey availability. Annual Meeting of the North Central Branch of the Entomological Society of America, St. Louis, MO |
| 2009 | Welch, K. D., S. A. Romero & J. D. Harwood. Vertical stratification in a web-building spider community. Annual Meeting of the North Central Branch of the Entomological Society of America, St. Louis, MO |
| 2008 | Romero, S. A. Influence of landscape structure on red flour beetle movement and oviposition. Center for Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, Spring Research Symposium 2008, Lexington, KY |
| 2006 | Romero, S., J. F. Campbell, & J. R. Nechols. Spatial pattern of habitat impacts oviposition pattern of red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum, over multiple scales. National Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America, Indianapolis, IN |
| 2006 | Romero, S. J. F. Campbell, & J. R. Nechols. Habitat pattern impacts oviposition pattern of red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum. Annual Meeting of the Consortium for Integrated Management of Stored Product Insect Pests Annual Meeting, Indianapolis, IN |
| 2005 | Romero, S., J. F. Campbell, & J. R. Nechols. Habitat abundance and landscape pattern influence movement behavior of red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum, (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). Consortium for Integrated Management of Stored Product Insect Pests Annual Meeting, Manhattan, KS |
| 2004 | Romero, S., J. F. Campbell, & J. R. Nechols. Influence of landscape structure on movement behavior and habitat use in red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum. Consortium for Integrated Management of Stored Product Insect Pests Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT |
| 1995 | Reidel, S. Observations on the mating behavior of Cicindela repanda (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae: Cicindela spp.). Ohio Valley Entomological Society, Student Paper Competition, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY |
| 1995 | Reidel, S. Observations on the burrowing, grooming, and mating behavior of Cicindela repanda (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae: Cicindela spp.). Indiana Academy of Science Annual Meeting, IUPUI, Indianapolis, IN |
Poster Presentations
| 2009 | Romero, S. A. & J. D. Harwood. Prey utilization of a linyphiid spider community: variation across diel and seasonal gradients. North Central Branch Annual Meeting, Entomological Society of America, St. Louis, MO |
| 2008 | Welch, K. D., S. A. Romero & J. D. Harwood. Site selection behavior of spider communities: temporal and altitudinal variation in web placement. National Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America, Reno, NV |
| 2008 | Romero, S., J. F. Campbell, J. R. Nechols & K. A. With. Behavioral responses of Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) to patch boundaries: role of perceptual range and permeability. North Central Branch Annual Meeting, Entomological Society of America, Columbus, OH |
| 2005 | Romero, S., J. F. Campbell, & J. R. Nechols. Habitat abundance and landscape pattern influence movement behavior of red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum, (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). National meeting of the Entomological Society of America, Ft. Lauderdale, FL |
| 2005 | Romero, S., J. F. Campbell, & J. R. Nechols. Red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum) response to landscape heterogeneity. Central States Entomological Society Annual Meeting. Lawrence KS |
| 2005 | Zhang, K., S. Romero, P. Flinn, & J. F. Campbell. An agent-based model for simulating red flour beetle movement and population dynamics. Conference on Applied Statistics in Agriculture. Kansas State University. Manhattan, KS |
| 2004 | Romero, S., J.F. Campbell, & J.R Nechols. Influence of flour patch size and abundance on movement of red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). National meeting of the Entomological Society of America, Salt Lake City, UT |
| 1997 | Reidel, S. Protozoan endosymbionts of Coleoptera found in a soybean agroecosystem in Ohio. National Meeting of the Entomological Society of America, Nashville, TN |
| 1996 | Kritsky, G., S. Reidel, A. J. Savage, J. Smith. Tiger beetles of the Ohio River valley. National Meeting of the Entomological Society of America, Louisville, KY |
| 1995 | Kritsky, G., L. Horner, S. Reidel, A. J. Savage. Tiger beetles of southwestern Ohio waterways. National Meeting of the Entomological Society of America, Las Vegas, NV |
Symposium Organization
| 2009 | Program symposium “Ecology and impact of spiders in terrestrial ecosystems” at the Annual Meeting of the North Central Branch of the Entomological Society of America, St. Louis, MO |
Manuscript Reviewing Responsibilities
- Bulletin of Entomological Research
- Journal of Arachnology
- Ecological Entomology
- Environmental Entomology
Membership in Professional Societies
- Ecological Society of America
- Entomological Society of America
- International Organization for Biological Control
- American Arachnological Society
- Sigma Xi
Teaching Responsibilities
| 2000 | Adjunct Instructor, Miami University Introduction to Biological Concepts – laboratory course |
| 1998 -2000 | Adjunct Instructor, College of Mt. St. Joseph
Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter Natural History – lecture and field course |
| 1996 – 1999 | Graduate Teaching Assistant, Miami University Entomology – graduate level - field and laboratory course Parasitology – graduate level – laboratory course, developed laboratory manual and curriculum Introduction to Biological Concepts – undergraduate laboratory course |
Volunteer and Outreach Service
| 2009 | Entomological Society of America, North Central Branch Annual Meeting 2010 Program Committee Co-Chair |
| 2009 | Ag Roundup Days, University of Kentucky, Department of Entomology, community outreach education |
| 2008 | University of Kentucky, Academic Initiatives, House Calls Program |
| 2007 | Entomological Society of America, 2007 National Meeting, San Diego, CA – Career Center |
| 2005 | Entomological Society of America, 2004 National Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT - Registration |
| 2004 | Konza Prairie Biological Station, Education Outreach Volunteer |
| 2004 | North Central Branch/Entomological Society of America 2004 Annual Meeting, Kansas City, MO – Session moderator |
| 2004 | Insect Expo 2004 Kansas City, MO, community outreach education |
| 2004 | Kansas State University Linnaean team, competitor NCB Annual Meeting |
| 2003-2006 | Department of Entomology, KSU, Popenoe Entomology Club – served as President, Vice-president, Student Representative to Faculty, Chairman of Constitution Committee, and on the Merchandise Committee, Awards Committee and Tours Committee |
| 2003-2006 | K-State Insect Zoo – school and group tours and public outreach events |
| 2001-2003 | Florida State Collection of Arthropods, Gainesville, FL, Research Associate – Arachnids |
| 1998-1999 | Department of Zoology, Miami University - Coordinator of Ecolunch, an informal weekly seminar series |
| 1994 – 1996 | Cincinnati Museum of Natural History - Curatorial Assistant, Entomology |
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