Featured Entomology undergraduate student Jessica Kansman
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EmailInterview with featured Entomology undergraduate student Jessica Kansman
Name: Jessica Kansman
Hometown: Lowell, Michigan
Future study plans: Currently applying to Entomology graduate programs researching tri-trophic interactions and semiochemcials to be utilized in IPM. I plan to finish with a doctorate and potentially end up in academia.
Why study entomology? The major is incredibly diverse and has real world impacts and applications. There are so many insects in the world and so many research opportunities with them.
What or who inspired your interest in entomology? I started looking into the major after taking the insect-centered ISB course with Gabe Ording. It was while sitting in ENT 404, when Chris DiFonzo prefaced her lecture with “These images may be a little gross to some of you, but I am an entomologist so I poke dead things all the time,” that I knew I was in the right place.
What has been your best experience with entomology? Last summer I was working on an independent field research project on a commercial celery farm with Zsofia Szendrei. While checking my traps, Zsofia had me check the grower’s onions for thrips and communicate with him directly about thresholds. It was great to experience extension work first-hand and to directly help a grower.
What do you wish other people understood about entomology? Most people don’t understand the role entomologists have in agriculture or human medical research, and I have to explain “what can you even do as an entomologist” in most introductions.
If you could be an insect, which insect would you be and why? I’d like to be an assassin bug because they are so vicious and adorable. Plus, they are great natural enemies.
Was there ever a time when you didn’t like insects? I used to be very afraid of spiders, mostly because they are sneaky. Now, I am a Bug House volunteer, own a tarantula, and I plan to collect a couple more in the future.
Although you work with insects, is there any particular insect or arthropod you do not like and why? I am not a huge fan of harvestmen, especially in groups.
What is your opinion on entomophagy (eating insects) as practiced in other world cultures? I am so for this! Entomophagy is a great answer for sustainable agriculture. I am planning to experiment with cricket flour this semester, and I fully advocate eating insects.
What is your favorite activity/way to spend your time outside of Entomology? I am the president of the graduate/undergraduate secular and science registered student organization “Center for Inquiry.” Outside of this, I play the ukulele and participate in a campus choir.
