Tyler Wintermute – PostDoc

I recently defended my PhD in Botany at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where I investigated intra- and interspecific variation in salicinoid diversity in Populus and Salix, with a special focus on Populus heterophylla (swamp cottonwood), which is native to Michigan. My research utilizes a diversity of methods and fields, including metabolomics, common gardens, plant ecophysiology, biogeography, bioinformatics, and phylogenetic comparative methods.. I am broadly interested in the evolution of plant chemical diversity, and my work in the Glassmire Lab explores this topic under the lens of classic invasion ecology hypotheses using native and non-native Phragmites australis lineages as a model system.

Kristin Leutgeb – Graduate Student

My research focuses on how plant chemical diversity, particularly crop odors, affects insect interactions to develop biological control strategies. I’m especially interested in the ecological consequences of plant chemistry on insect behavior, including how volatile cues influence both pest colonization and the attraction of natural enemies. During my undergraduate studies at Utah State University (B.S. in Ecology and Evolution, minor in Chemistry), I investigated sex-based behavioral responses of an alfalfa root-feeding weevil to plant-derived chemical cues, aiming to inform the development of sustainable baited traps. More recently, I worked at the USDA ARS Pollinating Insects Research Unit in California, where I helped develop non-lethal methods for bee identification and community assessment using molecular and imaging tools. Fun Facts: I am an Austrian and American Dual Citizen, and I grew up in Norway and San Diego. I love hiking, mountain biking, and skiing.

Saniya Henderson – Research Tech II

I am a recent graduate of Michigan State University with a Master’s in Entomology. My research focused on cuticular hydrocarbons and desiccation resistance in Drosophila lummei populations from Japan and Russia, where I developed a strong foundation in molecular biology and evolutionary physiology. I am eager to apply these skills to the field of chemical ecology, with future research exploring the chemical interactions between tomato plants, their herbivores, and associated predators.

Through the study of insects and chemical interactions, we uncover the hidden connections that shape our ecosystems. Thank you for joining us on this journey—together, curiosity and discovery will guide the future of science.