Christopher J. Borkent


Borkent

Environmental Scientist

Biological Control Program, Integrated Pest Control Branch
California Department of Food and Agriculture
3294 Meadowview Road
Sacramento, CA 95832, USA
(916) 738-6756
(916) 262-1190
chris.borkent@cdfa.ca.gov


Curriculum Vitae

  • Education
    • 2006-2012, Ph.D. Entomology, McGill University. Thesis: Systematics of Leptomorphus and phylogeny of the Sciophilini (Diptera: Mycetophilidae).
    • 2000-2003, M.Sc. Ecology, University of Calgary. Thesis: The association of fly pollination and the dioecious breeding system in flowering plants: An empirical examination.
    • 1996-2000, B.Sc. Biology with Honours and Co-op, University of Victoria. Thesis: Seasonal fluctuations in the sex ratio of Tigriopus californicus: The role of environmental sex determination and differential male/female survival.
    • 1995-1996, Biology transfer, Okanagan University College, Salmon Arm Campus.
  • Research Funding
    • Williston Fund, Smithsonian Institution, 2014
      Amount: US $2500
      Funding to attend the 8th International Congress of Dipterology and visit the Entomology collection at the Musée Nationale d’Histoire Naturelle, (Paris, France) to repatriate Diptera type material for the USNM collection.
    • CanaColl grant, Canadian National Collection of Arthropods, 2014
      Amount: CAN $1580
      Funding to attend the 8th International Congress of Dipterology and visit the Entomology collection at the Musée Nationale d’Histoire Naturelle, (Paris, France) to repatriate Diptera type material for the CNC collection.
    • CNPq Visiting Scholar Fellowship, 2013
      Amount: US $3500
      Support for visit to Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil, to study their Mycetophilidae collection, do field work, discuss collaborative projects in mycetophilid phylogeny and morphology, and act as external examiner on a PhD thesis exam.
    • Dipterology Fund Student Research and Travel Grant, 2008
      Amount: CAN $1000
      Support for entomological fieldwork in Western United States and research visit to California State Collection of Arthropods, Sacramento, CA.
    • Williston Fund, Smithsonian Institution, 2008
      Amount: US $1350
      Support for visit to Department of Entomology, United States National Museum, Washington, DC to study insect collection.
    • Schlinger Foundation Grant, 2003-2006
      Amount: US $128,200
      Funding for studies of pollination by spider parasitic Diptera (Acroceridae)
    • Alberta Conservation Association Challenge Grants in Biodiversity, 2001-2002.
      Amount: CAN $13,375
      Support for field studies on fly pollination in dioecious plants.
  • Awards And Scholarships
    • FQRNT Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, 2012-2014 ($60,397)
    • Quebec Centre for Biodiversity Science Excellence Award, 2010 ($1300)
    • Graduate Research Enhancement and Travel Award, McGill University, 2010 ($250)
    • H. Madsen Student Travel Scholarship, Entomological Society of British Columbia, 2009 ($500)
    • Graduate Research Enhancement and Travel Award, McGill University, 2009 ($500)
    • Keith Kevan Scholarship for excellence in insect systematics, Entomological Society of Canada, 2009 ($1000)
    • Alma Mater Travel Grant, McGill University, 2009 ($750)
    • Alma Mater Travel Grant, McGill University, 2008 ($750)
    • NSERC Postgraduate Scholarship D3, 2007-2010 ($63,000)
    • Margaret DuPorte Fellowship, McGill University, 2006 ($8000)
    • University of Calgary Research Grants Committee Graduate Conference Travel Grant, 2002 ($1000)
    • Graduate Students Association Academic Projects/Conference Fund Grant, University of Calgary, 2002 ($500)
    • Alberta Heritage Graduate Student Scholarship, 2002 ($2000)
    • Department of Biological Sciences Fee Scholarship, University of Calgary, 2001 ($500)
    • C. Wilkes Bursary, University of Victoria, 1998 ($1000)
    • Dot Beraro Memorial Scholarship, Okanagan University College, 1996 ($800)
  • Refereed Publications
    • Pickett, C. H., C. Borkent, K. Daane, and V. Popescu. 2021. Biological control of the olive psyllid in California. CAPCA Adviser 24(4): 36-39.
    • Pickett, C.H., C.J. Borkent, V. Popescu, D. Lightle, B. Hogg & I. Grettenberger. 2021. New insights into predation through imaging, Biocontrol Science and Technology, DOI: 10.1080/09583157.2021.1990856
    • Pickett, C.H., C.J. Borkent, R. Wilson, M. Stadtherr, & V. Popescu. 2021. Introduction of the cereal leaf beetle parasitoid Tetrastichus julis (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) into California. Biocontrol Science and Technology, https://doi.org/10.1080/09583157.2021.1933901
    • Borkent, C., M. Hauser, and W.D. Shepard. 2020. Arthropods visiting flowers of Aristolochia californica Torr. (Aristolochiaceae). The Pan-Pacific Entomologist 96: (in press).
    • Williams, K.A., A.S. Lelej, J. Okayasu, C.J. Borkent, R. Malee, K. Thoawan and N. Thaochan. 2019. The female velvet ants (aka modkhong) of southern Thailand (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae), with a key to the genera of southeast Asia. Zootaxa 4602: 1-69.
    • Zhang, X., Z. Kang, S. Ding, Y. Wang, C. Borkent, T. Saigusa and D. Yang. 2019. Mitochondrial genomes provide insights into the phylogeny of Culicomorpha (Insecta: Diptera). International Journal of Molecular Sciences 20: 747.
    • Prathapan, K.D., Pethiyagoda, R., Bawa, K.S., Raven, P.H., Rajan, P.D., Acosta, L.E., Adams, B., Adl, S., Ahyong, S.T., Anderson, R., Arango, C.P., Arnedo, M.A., Armbruster, J.W., Avila, L.J., Azevedo, C.O., Baldo, D., Barclay, M.V.L., Baron-Szabo, R., Bauer, A.M., Bentlage, B., Bezděk, A., Bird, G., Blagoderov, V., Bocak, L., Bonaldo, A., Bond, J.E., Borkent, C.J., Branham, M.A., Carreno, R., Carvalho, M.R. de, Castroviejo-Fisher, S., Chiba, H., Čiampor, F., Clarke, D.J., Collins, A.G., Constantino, R., Crespo, F.A., Daly, M., Dominiak, P., Dronen, N., Dubois, A., Duda, T.F., Eléaume, M., Erlacher, S., Estrela, P.C., Evenhuis, N., Fehlauer-Ale, K.H., Fery, H., Fritz, U., Gaimari, S.D., Garrison, R., Gaubert, P., Geiger, D.L., Gill, A.C., Gimmel, M.L., Goldschmidt, T., Goswami, R., González, A.P., Gonzalez, V.H., Gordon, D., Gower, D.J., Greenslade, P., Gusarov, V.I., Hajdu, E., Harms, D., Heinicke, M.P., Hilton, E.J., Hodgson, C.J., Hormiga, G., Hughes, L.E., Hutchings, P., Jäger, P., Jennings, J.T., Kadej, M., Kaila, L., Kamiński, J., Karaman, G., Karanovic, T., Kathirithamby, J., Kerr, P.H., Kirkendall, L.R., Kitahara, M.V., Klautau, M., Kondratieff, B.C., Kroh, A., Labarque, F.M., Leavengood, J.M., Letardi, A., Liang, A.-P., Lima, F.C.T., Liu, Z., Löbl, I., Lohrmann, V., Malchus, N., Malipatil, M.B., Marques, A.C., Matzke-Karasz, R., Mayer, G., Mayoral, J.G., McInnes, S.J., Minelli, A., Moir, M.L., Monks, S., Morrone, J.J., Muster, C., Nagy, Z.T., Narayanan, K.S., Nearns, E.H., Nekola, J., Nihei, S.S., Nützel, A., Ohler, A., Orrico, V.G.D., Padial, J.M., Page, L.M., Passos, P., Paulson, D., Perkins, P.D., Pfingstl, T., Prieto, C., Pinheiro, L.R., Pinto-da-Rocha, R., Prendini, L., Price, B., Prins, J. de, Ramirez, M., Rasmussen, C., Rasmussen, P., Redei, D., Ribera, I., Ricarte, A., Rivera, J., Rix, M.G., Rossaro, B., Roy, A.D., Ruiz, G.R.S., Salles, F.F., Sanborn, A.F., Sartori, M., Schöller, M., Schmelz, R.M., Schrödl, M., Segniagbeto, G.H., Serrano, T.J., Shimano, S., Shin, M.K., Sidorchuk, E., Siler, C.D., Sket, B., Smith, A.D., Smith, A.B.T., Smith, R., Smith-Pardo, A.H., Sparks, J., Sterrer, W.E., Stroiński, A., Svavarsson, J., Toledo, M., Twomey, E., Vasudevan, K., Vences, M., Voogd, N. de, Wang, Q., Watson, G.W., Weiner, W.M., Weksler, M., Wesener, T., Whitmore, D., Wiklund, H., Williams, P.H., Winterton, S.L., Wood, T.S., Yen, S.-H., Zaher, H., Zhang, Z.-Q., Zhou, H.-Z. 2018. When the cure kills—CBD limits biodiversity research. Science 360 (6396): 1405–1406.
    • Kaspřák, D., C.J. Borkent, and R. A. Wahab. 2017 Leptomorphus sevciki sp. nov., a remarkable new wasp-mimicking fungus gnat from Brunei (Diptera: Mycetophilidae). Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae 57: 195-203.
    • Gillung, J.P. and C.J. Borkent. 2017. Death comes on two wings: a review of dipteran natural enemies of arachnids. Journal of Arachnology 45:1-19.
    • Borkent., C.J., J.P. Gillung, and S.L. Winterton. 2016. Jewelled spider flies of North America: A revision and phylogeny of Eulonchus Gerstaecker (Diptera, Acroceridae). ZooKeys 619: 103-146. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.619.8249
    • Oliveira, S.S., F.F. Albertoni, C.J. Borkent and D.S. Amorim. 2015. First record of Neoempheria Osten Sacken (Diptera, Mycetophilidae) biology in the Neotropical region, with associations between its larvae and fungi. Biodiversity Data Journal 3: e5073. doi: 10.3897/BDJ.3.e5073.
    • Cline, A.R., P.E. Skelley, S.A. Kinnee, S. Rooney-Latham, S.L. Winterton, C.J. Borkent and P. Audisio. 2014. Interactions between a sap beetle, sabal palm, scale insect, filamentous fungi and yeast, with discovery of potential antifungal compounds. PLoS ONE 9: e89295. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0089295.
    • Borkent, C.J. and T.A. Wheeler. 2013. Phylogeny of the tribe Sciophilini (Diptera: Mycetophilidae: Sciophilinae). Systematic Entomology 38: 407-427. doi: 10.1111/syen.12002.
    • Schlinger, E.I., J.P. Gillung, and C.J. Borkent. 2013. Schlinger E, Gillung J, Borkent C 2013. New spider flies from the Neotropical Region (Diptera, Acroceridae) with a key to New World genera. ZooKeys 270: 59-93. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.270.4476.
    • Borkent, C.J. and T.A. Wheeler. 2012. Systematics and phylogeny of Leptomorphus Curtis (Diptera: Mycetophilidae). Zootaxa 3549: 1-117.
    • Larrivée, M, and C.J. Borkent. 2009. New spider host associations for three acrocerid fly species (Diptera: Acroceridae). Journal of Arachnology 37: 241-242.
    • Borkent, C.J., and A. Borkent. 2008. The description and phylogenetic interpretation of larval air sac chromatophore migration to adult structures in some Chaoboridae (Diptera). Canadian Entomologist 140: 630-640.
    • Borkent, A., C.J. Borkent, and B.J. Sinclair. 2008. The male genital tract of Chaoboridae (Diptera: Culicomorpha). Canadian Entomologist 140: 621-629.
    • Borkent, C.J., and E.I. Schlinger. 2008. Flower-visiting and mating behaviour of Eulonchus sapphirinus (Diptera: Acroceridae). Canadian Entomologist 140: 250-256.
    • Borkent, C.J., and E.I. Schlinger. 2008. Pollen loads and diversity on bodies of Eulonchus tristis (Diptera: Acroceridae); implications for pollination and flower visitation. Canadian Entomologist 140: 257-264.
    • Borkent, C.J., and L.D. Harder. 2007. Flies (Diptera) as pollinators of two dioecious plants: behaviour and implications for plant mating. Canadian Entomologist 139: 235-246.
    • Borkent, C.J., and R.A. Cannings. 2004. Polistes dominulus (Christ) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae) in British Columbia: first collection records of an invasive European paper wasp in Canada. Journal of the Entomological Society of British Columbia 101: 149-150.
    • Albert, A.Y.K., C.J. Borkent, S.L. Duquette, M.J. Voordouw, and B.R. Anholt. 2001. Effects of an introduced mosquito on juvenile Tigriopus californicus (Copepoda: Harpacticoidea) in supratidal pools. Archiv fuer Hydrobiologia 152: 203-213.
  • Non-Refereed Publications
    • Borkent, C.J. 2012. Systematics of Leptomorphus and phylogeny of the Sciophilini (Diptera: Mycetophilidae). Doctoral thesis. McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec.
    • Borkent, C.J. 2006. A new alien among us. The Victoria Naturalist 62(6): 8-9.
    • Borkent, C.J. 2003. The association of fly pollination and the dioecious breeding system in flowering plants: An empirical examination. Master’s thesis. University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta.
    • Borkent, C.J. 2002. Ecology 429 Laboratory Manual: The Ecology of Individuals, University of Calgary, Department of Biological Sciences.
    • Borkent, C.J. 2000. Seasonal fluctuations in the sex ratio of Tigriopus californicus: The role of environmental sex determination and differential male/female survival. Undergraduate Honours thesis, University of Victoria.
    • Borkent, C.J. and L. Greenaway. 1997. Sphinx moths (Family Sphingidae) in British Columbia: Biological notes, distribution maps and field key based on specimens in the Royal British Columbia Museum. Royal British Columbia Museum, Forest Renewal B.C. Report. Available online at: www.bcarchives.bc.ca/Content_Files/Files/Sphinx_moth.pdf.
  • Invited Presentations
    • Borkent, C.J., M. Hauser, and S.D. Gaimari. 2017. Finding Fruit Flies: Adventures in discovering the fauna of Zambia and southern China. Pacific Coast Entomological Society Meeting. University of California: Berkeley, Berkeley, California. March 2, 2017.
    • Borkent, C.J., M. Hauser, and S.D. Gaimari. 2017. Foreign forays for fruit flies: with a focus on recent exploits in parts of the Zambezi river basin and southern China. CDFA / Plant Pest Diagnostics Center Seminar Series, Sacramento, California. January 19, 2017
    • Borkent, C.J., D.S. Amorim, S.S. Oliveira, V. Blagoderov and G. Søli. 2014. The MycetoPhylo Project: a collaborative approach to describing the biological variation and phylogeny of Mycetophilidae. Bibionomorpha Symposium, Eighth International Congress of Dipterology. Potsdam, Germany. August 10-15, 2014.
    • Borkent, C.J., and S. Winterton. 2014. Jeweled tarantula killers of the Nearctic: systematics, phylogeny and natural history of Eulonchus Gerstaecker (Diptera: Acroceridae). Evolution and Ecology of Parasitoid Diptera Symposium, Eighth International Congress of Dipterology. Potsdam, Germany. August 10-15, 2014.
    • Borkent, C.J. 2013. Pollinators and Parasitoids: Exploration into insect behaviour, ecology and evolution. Departmental Seminar, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil, April 9, 2013.
    • Borkent, C.J. 2012. Hiding in the shadows: the fascinating diversity and evolutionary history of Fungus gnats (Diptera: Mycetophilidae). CDFA / Plant Pest Diagnostics Center Seminar Series, Feb 16, 2012.
    • Borkent, C.J. and T.A. Wheeler. 2010. Systematics of Leptomorphus and the phylogeny of the tribe Sciophilini (Diptera: Mycetophilidae). Graduate Student Symposium, Joint Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of Canada and the Entomological Society of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Oct 31-Nov 3, 2010.
    • Borkent, C.J. and T.A. Wheeler. 2010. Systematics of Leptomorphus (Mycetophilidae). Sciaroidea workshop, Seventh International Congress of Dipterology. San José, Costa Rica. Aug 8-13, 2010.
    • Borkent, C.J. and A. Borkent. 2006. Migration of light-reactive larval pigment cells in Chaoborus americanus (Chaoboridae) during pupation: extra gamete protection for males in the Culicoidea? Behaviour and Physiology of Diptera Symposium, Sixth International Congress of Dipterology, Fukuoka, Japan. Sept 23-28, 2006.
    • Borkent, C.J. and E.I. Schlinger. 2006. Flower visiting in the genus Eulonchus (Acroceridae): pollination or exploitation? Behaviour and Physiology of Diptera Symposium, Sixth International Congress of Dipterology, Fukuoka, Japan. Sept 23-28, 2006.
  • Conference Presentations
    • Wheeler, T.A., C.J. Borkent, V. Lévesque-Beaudin, and J.J. Mlynarek. 2010. Forging an alliance: linking taxonomy, phylogeny and community ecology in terrestrial insects. (poster) Annual Meeting of the Ecological Society of America. Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania, USA. Aug 1-6, 2010.
    • Borkent, C.J. and T.A. Wheeler. 2009. Limits and generic relationships of the tribe Sciophilini (Diptera: Mycetophilidae). Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America. Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. Dec 13-16, 2009.
    • Wheeler, T.A., C.J. Borkent, V. Lévesque-Beaudin, and J.J. Mlynarek. 2009. Forging an alliance: linking taxonomy, phylogeny and community ecology. (poster) Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America. Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. Dec 13-16, 2009.
    • Borkent, C.J. and T.A. Wheeler. 2009. Monophyly of the Sciophilini (Diptera: Mycetophilidae) and generic relationships within the tribe. Joint Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of Canada and the Entomological Society of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Oct 18-21, 2009.
    • Borkent, C.J. and T.A. Wheeler. 2008. Systematics and phylogeny of Leptomorphus (Diptera: Mycetophilidae). Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America. Reno, Nevada, USA. Nov 16-19, 2008.
    • Borkent, C.J. and T.A. Wheeler. 2008. Natural history and taxonomy of Leptomorphus (Diptera: Mycetophilidae). Joint Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of Canada and the Entomological Society of Ontario, Ottawa, Ontario, Oct 19-22, 2008.
    • Borkent, C.J. and T.A. Wheeler. 2007. Systematics, zoogeography and phylogeny of the Nearctic Leptomorphus (Diptera: Mycetophilidae). (poster) Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America. San Diego, California, USA. Dec 8-12, 2007.
    • Borkent, C.J. and E.I. Schlinger. 2006. Pollination in the genus Eulonchus (Diptera: Acroceridae): Flower visiting behaviour, pollen loads, and mate detection. Joint Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of Canada and le Société d’entomologie du Québec. Montreal, Quebec. Nov 18-22, 2006.
    • Borkent, C.J. 2005. Flower visiting in a little-known fly family: Are acrocerids pollinators or opportunists? Joint Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of Canada and the Entomological Society of Alberta, Canmore, Alberta. Nov 2-5, 2005.
    • Borkent, C.J. 2005. Pigment cells in Chaoborus larvae migrate during pupation to form another function in the adult. Annual General Meeting of the Entomological Society of British Columbia, Victoria, British Columbia. Oct 21, 2005.
    • Borkent, C.J. and L.D. Harder. 2003. Fly pollination and the dioecious breeding system in plants: A relationship of cause or consequence? Joint Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of Canada and the Entomological Society of British Columbia, Kelowna, British Columbia. Nov 1-5, 2003.
    • Borkent, C.J. and L.D. Harder. 2002. Fly pollination and plant breeding systems: Are flies good pollinators? Fifth International Congress of Dipterology, Brisbane, Australia Sept 29-Oct 4, 2002.
  • Research And Professional Experience
    • June 2018 – Present
      California Department of Food and Agriculture, Biological Control Program
      Environmental Scientist: Biological control research and assessment statewide in order to protect agriculture, natural resources and public health from invasive species. Includes a broad range of scientific and professional office duties involving research, environmental analysis, outreach, and logistics for the Biological Control Program of the Integrated Pest Control Branch.
    • August 2015 – June 2018
      California Department of Food and Agriculture, California State Collection of Arthropods
      Fruit Fly Diversity Postdoctoral Research Fellow: Studies in Fruit Fly systematics (Tephritoidea) with a focus on pest genera. Planning and participating in foreign collecting trips, sorting and identification of collected material in preparation for DNA sampling, managing acquired specimen and DNA data and upload to public databases, curation of CSCA fly collection.
    • December 2013 – July 2015
      California Department of Food and Agriculture, California State Collection of Arthropods
      Calbug Project Postdoctoral Research Fellow: Studies in Diptera systematics (Mycetophilidae, Acroceridae) with a focus on Californian taxa. Management of specimen databasing efforts and facilitating citizen scientist input.
    • January 2012 – December 2013
      California Department of Food and Agriculture, Plant Pest Diagnostic Center
      FQRNT Postdoctoral Research Fellow: Exploring Diptera systematics (Mycetophilidae, Acroceridae) with a particular focus on the taxonomy and phylogeny of the basal tribes of Mycetophilidae.
    • December 2003-November 2006
      Schlinger Foundation/Royal British Columbia Museum
      Research Scientist: Examined, in lab and field studies, the role of the fly family Acroceridae in pollination of various flowering plant species in western North America.
    • May– August 2000
      University of Calgary
      Research Assistant: Assisted in a pollination study of Brassica napus. Carried out pollen counts, measured pollen transfer by butterflies, bumblebees and leafcutter bees, analysed insect movements, maintained insect cultures.
    • June – September 1999
      University of Victoria
      Research Assistant: Aided in a Ph.D. candidate’s research on Pacific treefrog tadpoles and Bullfrog adults. Performed mark/recapture, analysed stomach contents and determined growth rates.
    • January 1999 - April 2000
      University of Victoria
      Entomology Work Study: Sorted, pinned, labeled and identified to family a large number of insects from a study of canopy arthropod diversity in the Carmanah Valley, BC.
    • May – December 1998
      University of Victoria
      Research Assistant: Aided in experimental design, preparation and observations of a Ph.D. candidate’s research on competition between salmonid species. River surveys were done to determine the number and species of salmonids in Vancouver Island rivers. Also wrote a report on introduced animal species of Vancouver Island.
    • January – April 1997
      Royal British Columbia Museum
      Collections Assistant (Entomology): Researched and produced a taxonomic report and key to the Sphingidae species of British Columbia. Pinned and labeled insect specimens to expand the collection and entered data from the collections into the museum’s database.
    • FIELD WORK AND COLLECTING EXPEDITIONS North America California (2003-2005, 2008, 2012-2020)c Quebec (2007-2010)
      Maine (2009)
      Nova Scotia (2008)
      Washington, Oregon, California (2003-2006, 2008, 2013)
      British Columbia (2003-2006, 2008, 2013)
      Alberta (2001-2002)
      International Madagascar (2017)
      Bhutan (2017)
      Korea (2017)
      Thailand (2017, 2018)
      China; Guangxi, Sichuan, Beijing (2016)
      Vietnam (2016)
      Zambia (2016)
      Germany (2014, 2016)
      Brazil; São Paulo, Minas Gerais (2013)
      Costa Rica (1993-1994, 2010)
      Japan (2006)
      Australia; Southern Queensland (2002)
  • Collections Visited Or Worked In
    • Beaty Biodiversity Museum: Spencer Entomological Collection, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC (2010)
    • Bohart Museum of Entomology, University of California, Davis, CA (2012–2019)
    • California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA (2003, 2008, 2012–2018)
    • California State Collection of Arthropods, Sacramento, CA (2008, 2012–2018)
    • Canadian National Collection of Insects, Ottawa, ON (2006–2012)
    • Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Zoology Insect Collection, Beijing, China (2016)
    • Diptera Morphology and Evolution Lab, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil (2013)
    • Essig Museum of Entomology, University of California, Berkeley, CA (2012–2017)
    • Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad, Santo Domingo de Heredia, Costa Rica (2010)
    • Musée Nationale d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France (2014)
    • Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil (2013)
    • Lyman Entomological Museum, McGill University, Ste. Anne de Bellevue, QC (2006–2012)
    • Royal British Columbia Museum, Victoria, BC (2003–2006, 2009, 2013)
    • United States National Museum, Smithsonian Institute, Washington, DC (2008)
  • Scientific Affiliations
    • Pacific Coast Entomological Society (2012-present)
    • Quebec Centre for Biodiversity Science (2009-present)
    • Entomological Society of America (2007-2013)
    • Entomological Society of Canada (2005-2013)
    • Entomological Society of British Columbia (2004-2015)
    • North American Dipterists Society (2003-present)
  • Teaching Experience
    • Sessional Lecturer, Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University
      January – May 2010.
      Taught first year undergraduate course in Evolution and Phylogeny (90 students).
    • Teaching Assistant, Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University
      2006 – 2008
      Courses: Insect Biology, Principles of Ecology.
    • Guest Lecturer, Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University
      September – November 2006.
      Three lectures in Insect Biology.
    • Teaching Assistant, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary
      2000 – 2003
      Courses: Ecological Entomology, Ecology of Individuals and Introduction to Plants and Animals
  • Administration And Service
    Committees
    • 2020-present: Director and Treasurer, North American Dipterists Society.
    • 2020-present: Member-at-Large, International Organization for Biological Control – Nearctic Regional Section.
    • 2018-present: Organizing Committee, Tenth International Congress of Dipterology (to be held 2022)
    • 2016, 2017: Past-President, Pacific Coast Entomological Society.
    • 2014, 2015: President, Pacific Coast Entomological Society.
    • 2012-2013: Member, Social Media Committee, Pacific Coast Entomological Society (Facebook page administrator).
    • 2013: External examiner, Ph.D. examination committee for Sarah Oliveira, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
    • 2008-2010: Member, Organizing Committee, Seventh International Congress of Dipterology, San Jose, Costa Rica (August 2010).
    • 2006-2009: Member, Biological Survey of Canada subcommittee on funding for climate change and arctic insect research.
    • 2005-2008: Co-chair, Student Affairs Committee, Entomological Society of Canada
    • 2005-2008: Governing Board, Entomological Society of Canada.
    • 2002: Produced abstract booklet and agenda for 35th Annual Prairie Universities Biological Symposium.
    • 2000: Co-organizer of the Annual Ecology and Evolutionary Biology retreat, University of Calgary.
    • 1998-99: Organized 2 annual invertebrate symposia, Biology Department, University of Victoria.
    Manuscript Reviews
    • Manuscript reviews for; Zootaxa (18 manuscripts), Zookeys (4 manuscripts) The Canadian Entomologist (2), Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society (1), Systematic Entomology (1), Biological Journal of the Linnean Society (1), PLoS ONE (1), Biodiversity Data Journal (1), African Entomology (1), The Pan-Pacific Entomologist (1), Journal of the Entomological Society of British Columbia (1), Great Lakes Entomologist (1), Fiji Arthropods (1) and Bishop Museum Bulletin in Entomology (1).
    Volunteer Service And Other Activities
    • 2014-2020: Diptera Subject editor, Biodiversity Data Journal.
    • 2014-2020: Nematocerous Diptera Subject editor, Zookeys.
    • 2013-2019: Sciaroidea (Diptera) Subject editor, Zootaxa.
    • 2012-2019: Sciaroidea Curator for Encyclopedia of Life (eol.org).
    • 2017-2018: Bibionomorpha Workshop organizer for the 9th International Congress of Dipterology, Windhoek, Namibia (November 2018).
    • 2012-2018: State of California Scientist Day presenter, Sacramento, CA.
    • 2012-2018: Elementary School Entomology outreach, Sacramento, CA.
    • 2012-2017: Diptera Subject Editor, The Pan-Pacific Entomologist.
    • 2013-2014: Bibionomorpha Workshop organizer and moderator for the 8th International Congress of Dipterology, Potsdam, Germany (August 2014).
    • 2012-2014: Diptera Subject Editor, The Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington (9 manuscripts).
    • 2008-2011: Guide for public school tours, Lyman Entomological Museum, QC.
    • 2010: Biological Survey of Canada Curation Blitz, Beaty Biodiversity Museum, BC
    • 2009-2010: Sciaroidea Workshop organizer and moderator for the Seventh International Congress of Dipterology, San Jose, Costa Rica (August 2010).
    • 2007-2009: Parish Council, St Michael and All Angels Anglican Church, Pierrefonds, QC.
    • 2006-2008: Organizer/Moderator of the Graduate Student Symposium at the Entomological Society of Canada’s Joint Annual Meetings.
    • 2005-2006: Parish Council, St Matthias Anglican Church, Victoria, B.C.
    • 2004-2006: Entomology collection maintenance and development, Royal BC Museum
    • 2004: 3-day insect survey of Gulf Islands National Park, B.C.
    • 1997-98: Royal B.C. Museum invertebrate collections volunteer (collection maintenance).
    • 1994: Volunteer at Guayabo National Park, Costa Rica, maintaining archaeological sites and cataloguing artifacts.

Contact Us

Integrated Pest Control Branch
Biological Control Program
3294 Meadowview Road
Sacramento, CA 95832
Biocontrol@cdfa.ca.gov

Projects & Resources