Jennifer Zaspel

My lab investigates the evolutionary origins of insect groups in order to better understand their feeding behaviors, mating strategies and chemical communication. We use metabolomic, genomic, and transcriptomic approaches to reconstruct phylogenetic trees for species that feed on a broad range of hosts such as fungi, lichens, toxic plants, and vertebrates. My program also investigates the molecular and environmental mechanisms that influence host switching in insects that pierce mammalian skin to feed on blood. We conduct domestic and international fieldwork in order to collect samples for molecular, morphological and behavioral research. The specimen-based portion of my research program involves revisionary systematics, specimen informatics, and digitization. I am also the Director of the Purdue Entomological Research Collection, which houses over 2 million insect specimens. My program is highly involved in advanced digitization of these specimens, which will allow members of the scientific and public communities to explore PERC holdings and accelerate biodiversity research and discovery.

February 2016