Ian Lane, Ph.D Candidate
Advisors
AdvisorsHometown
Fowlerville, MI
Research Topic
I am interested in questions related to how habitat fragmentation impacts bee community assembly in new habitats. My current project asks how bee communities colonize and use prairie reconstructions as sites are placed in increasingly agricultural landscapes.
Previous Education
B.S., Michigan State University – Crop and Soil sciences, Minor - Entomology
M.S., University of Minnesota, Advisors Marla Spivak and Eric Watkins-Entomology
Why Insects?
If variety is the spice of life, insects would be the spiciest of them all! Their seemingly endless diversity of forms and behavior ensures there is always something new to wonder at.
Why University of Minnesota?
Besides the outstanding research being done and scientist at the U; I value the atmosphere of collaboration and camaraderie in the department and amongst the students.
Aspirations
To research, advocate for, and protect our wild and managed pollinators . . . and maybe get paid to do it.
Favorite Insect
Let’s go with Peponapis pruinosa, the squash bee. It’s followed squash across the continent, and forages for pollen exclusively on its flowers. To me this is a beautiful (and tasty) example of mutualism, as the bee pollinates the squash in return. The next time you’re in the garden check for male squash bees lazily sleeping in the flowers.
Photo: Susan Ellis, bugwood.com
Other interests/hobbies
Hiking, naturalizing, brewing, reading, nerdy sci-fi shows, playing the guitar, and traveling (when I can).
Coffee or tea?
Tea, probably . . .maybe . . .how bad is the coffee?
