PEOPLE

ALISON RAVENSCRAFT

Principal investigator

I am fascinated by the diversity and complexity of insect-microbial symbioses. My work integrates high-throughput sequencing, culture-based assays, and experimental manipulations to understand the composition and function of symbiotic communities. I employ both complex microbiota (e.g. butterfly gut flora, with dozens to hundreds of members) and pairwise relationships (e.g. the bug-Caballeronia symbiosis) as mutually informative systems.

I did my bachelors at Harvard University, where I studied insect song under Brian Farrell. Next, I was Megan Frederickson's research assistant, studying the costs and benefits of an ant-plant mutualism in Peru. I did my PhD at Stanford University, where I studied the structure and function of the butterfly gut flora with Carol Boggs and Kabir Peay. This work was funded by an NSF GRFP grant. I began exploring the bug-Caballeronia system during an NIH-funded PERT (Postdoctoral Excellence in Research and Teaching) fellowship with Molly Hunter at the University of Arizona. In September 2019 I started as a professor at the University of Texas, Arlington. The lab is currently funded by an NSF CAREER grant, a USDA NIFA grant, a UTA RIG grant, and a UTA RISE100 fellowship.

Postdocs

BENOIT BECHADE

(joined Spring 2023)

I am a postdoctoral researcher broadly interested in symbiosis, entomology, and evolutionary ecology. I received my PhD in Biology at Drexel University in Philadelphia where I studied the functions of turtle ant gut symbionts. My current research focuses on beetle-associated symbionts, exploring the nature of microbial symbioses in fireflies and bacterial-mediated detoxification of plant defensive compounds in herbivorous leaf beetles.

Graduate students

BIBEK SINGH PARAJULI

(joined fall 2021)

I am studying the bug-Caballeronia symbiotic relationship. I am interested in the evolutionary and ecological dynamics underlying environmentally acquired mutualism. Some of my interests include understanding host-symbiont specialization, the risks of environmental acquisition, and the molecular underpinnings of mutualistic associations. My previous research experience involved studying transgenerational plasticity and eye size evolution in Daphnia with Dr. Matthew Walsh.

RACHEL VARGAS

(joined fall 2021)

My current projects focus on gut microbes associated with the American bird grasshopper (Schistocerca americana) and fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda). I am exploring how factors like diet and developmental stage contribute to differences in gut microbial composition. I am also screening gut microbes for the ability detoxify plant toxins. As an undergrad, I studied the immunological effects of autotomy on a species of brown wolf spiders (Tigrosa helluo) at St. Edward’s University where I graduated with a BS in Biology in 2020.

MUSFIKA FERDOUS

(joined Spring 2025)

I completed both my B.Sc. in Agricultural Sciences and M.Sc. in Entomology at the University of Rajshahi in Bangladesh. My master's research focused on the integrated management of Small Hive Beetles (Aethina tumida), an invasive pest of honeybee colonies. Currently, in the Ravenscraft Lab, I’m investigating the role of gut microbiota in the yellow margined leaf beetle (Microtheca ochroloma) and how these microbial symbionts contribute to overcoming plant chemical defenses, particularly glucosinolate-derived isothiocyanates. I'm interested in how insects leverage their microbial partners to detoxify plant toxins, unravelling the microbial mechanisms that fuel the plant-insect chemical arms race. I am especially fascinated by how symbiont-mediated detoxification expands the ecological niche of herbivorous insects and could offer new avenues for microbiome-based pest control.

JADEN KIM

(joined Fall 2025)

I’m the other Jaden. (We have two!) I completed my B.S. in Entomology at the University of California, Riverside, where I studied the effects of dietary treatment on the gut microbial composition of black soldier flies. I am interested in exploring host-symbiont interactions in herbivorous insects and investigating how bacteria mediate chemical stressors in Colorado potato beetles.

JADEN RANKIN

Undergraduate research assistant (joined Spring 2023)

Hi! I'm Jaden, an undergraduate student majoring in Biology with a strong passion for research and a keen interest in entomology and symbiosis. My main projects involve working with chewing insects such as the spotted bird grasshopper and fall armyworm to determine how plant toxins (primarily phenethyl isothiocyanate) effect the insects' fitness, and testing whether microbes housed in the gut of the the insect can help remedy negative effects caused by the toxins.

Undergraduates

AIDAN SKINNER

Undergraduate research assistant (joined Spring 2023)

I'm working on determining the plant toxin degradation ability of certain bacteria found in grasshoppers and other insects! I enjoy playing video games, biking, playing tennis/pickleball, and hanging out with friends!

IRENE PHAM

Undergraduate research assistant (joined Spring 2023)

Hello, my name is Irene Pham, and I am currently pursuing a BS in microbiology. I joined the Ravenscraft lab in the Spring of 2023 as a UROP student. I am currently working under Bibek Parajuli, investigating the symbiotic relationship between Leptoglossus phyllopus and Caballeronia. I enjoy reading manhwa, listening to music, and watching videos in my free time.

DIANA HERNANDEZ

Undergraduate research assistant (joined Spring 2025)

I am a junior pursuing a BS in Microbiology with hopes to one day do field research in a National Park, with focus on mycobiology. I took Dr. Ravenscraft's Microbial Ecology and Evolution class and was inspired to pursue my interests in microbial ecology. I work with Bibek studying bug-Caballeronia symbiosis. I am exploring the desiccation resistance of several Caballeronia strains, with hopes of doing future experiments exploring the Caballeronia genome and symbiosis genes. In my free time I love to collect Pokémon cards, play board games with my friends, and learn new things.