Who are we?

Dr. Elizabeth Rowen

Ph.D. 2020 Penn State University, Department of Entomology

M.S. 2015 Purdue University, Department of Entomology

B.A. 2011 Wellesley College, Biology

I am an insect ecologist and Assistant Professor in the Entomology Department at University of California Riverside where I study the connections between soil and animal management (pastures, cover crops, and fertilization), plants, and insects in agricultural systems.

My interests include:

Using meta-analysis to understand pest and predator response to soil management
Investigating how manure affects insect pest damage and predator communities
Understanding how pests and predators respond to cover crops and how cover crops can buffer their exposure to insecticides
Exploring the dung beetle communities to better support animal and pasture health.

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Graduate Researchers

For prospective graduate students, there are a few things to know.

1) The application deadline for UCR Entomology for fall is in November of the year before (ex. for admittance in fall 2025, applications were due November 2024)

2) Admission to my lab will depend on funding - but please contact me the summer before the applications are due (more than a year before you would start). We can start having conversations about your interests, the funding situation, and we are a good match.

Sneha Haridas

Degree: PhD in Plant and Soil Science at West Virginia University (Entomology)

MSc Environmental Studies and Resource Management. TERI SAS, New Delhi.
BSc Chemistry, Environmental Science and Zoology. St Joseph's University, Bangalore.

My research area lies broadly in the field of Insect Diversity and Conservation, with a special focus on the non-charismatic, but ecologically significant dung beetles. I have worked on the biosystematics and distribution of the Old World Scarabaeinae (true dung beetles) in the Eastern Himalayas and I am excited to explore the New World fauna as well, surrounding the Appalachians!
As a doctoral student at the Insect Agroecology Lab of the Plant and Soil Sciences Department at WVU, I would be studying the dung beetles in the Agroecosystems of West Virginia State, to understand their diversity, ecology and how specific agro-management practices could be affecting their distribution and causing threats to their populations.

I also enjoy travelling to explore and learn diverse cultures and cuisines, apart from trekking, table tennis, quizzing, swimming and water sports.

Mellisa Musekwa

Degree: PhD in Entomology at University of California, Riverside

MSc. 2020 University of Zimbabwe, Agronomy

BSc. 2018 University of Zimbabwe, Crop Science

Project:

I am working on a project that investigates the effects of liquid, composted and dry stacked manure on pests and weeds in corn, wheat and soybean planted in organic and organic-transitioning plots. My research interests include plant-insect interactions, agroecology, insect community ecology and sustainable agriculture and I am excited to learn more about this in my project.

I also enjoy spending time with family and friends, gardening, cooking and travelling.

Bhawana Regmi

Degree: PhD in Entomology at University of California, Riverside

M.Sc. 2024 Agriculture and Forestry University, Nepal (Gold Medalist), Entomology

B.Sc. 2021 Agriculture and Forestry University, Nepal

My research interests lie in agroecological pest management and beneficial insect conservation, with a focus on promoting sustainable farming practices. During my undergraduate studies, I worked with farmers to manage major pests of citrus through environmentally friendly approaches. This experience made me interested in insect agroecology. So, I explored the biological control of fall armyworm and maize stem borer using egg parasitoids and entomopathogenic fungi as my Master’s research. Later, as a Research Scholar at the Agroecosystems Entomology Lab, University of Nebraska Lincoln, I gained hands-on experience in IPM research focusing on minimizing pesticide dependence.

My long term goal is to develop and promote agro ecologically based management programs that conserve beneficial insect diversity, strengthen ecosystem services and support sustainable agriculture.

I enjoy sketching, traveling to new places and learning about different cultures.

Undergraduate Scientists

I am currently looking for students interested in taking on projects at UCR including surveying and identifying dung beetles and tracking ground predator movement. Please reach out to talk about opportunities.

Staff Researchers

Project Scientist

Dr. Roghaiyeh Karimzadeh

Ph.D. 2011 Agricultural Entomology, Department of Plant Protection, University of Tabriz, Iran

M.S. 2004 Agricultural Entomology, Department of Plant Protection, University of Tabriz, Iran

B. A. 2001 Agricultural Engineering, Department of Plant Protection, University of Tabriz, Iran

I am an agricultural entomologist and Associate Professor of Entomology at the University of Tabriz. My research focuses on mapping the spatial distribution of insect pests and their natural enemies, and applying these spatial insights to site-specific pest management in agricultural systems. I have also conducted research on the application of drone technology for the monitoring and management of agricultural and forest

pests.

Currently, I am a Visiting Project Scientist in the Rowen Insect Agroecology Lab at the University of California, Riverside. My current work involves developing RFID-based insect tracking systems and examining the role of cover crops in pest management and in supporting populations of natural enemies.

My broader research interests include spatial ecology, precision agriculture, and the application of emerging technologies to improve our understanding of insect population dynamics and sustainable pest management.

Lab culture

“Diverse research teams not only bring complementary strengths, fostering creative problem-solving by embracing various perspectives, but also drive scientific innovation by integrating a wide range of research topics (e.g., ecosystems, taxa, and conservation priorities). These human-centered dynamics are congruent with the mechanisms in ecosystems, with a diversity of solutions promoting resilience, stability, and efficiency, all of which ultimately provide a counterbalancing effect on global change. Much like biodiverse ecosystems, a diverse spectrum of knowledge, and expertise within the scientific community can enrich a dynamic landscape of innovation.” Brunn et al. 2024

As ecologists and entomologists, the Rowen lab documents the ways in which individuals and species interact to improve pest regulation, soil health, and plant resilience to stressors. We celebrate the diversity of insect life because it is beautiful, fascinating, and essential for human activities. This diversity makes ecosystems function and is fundamental to life on Earth.

In the Rowen Lab, we believe that diverse and inclusive human environment is essential to our success. We are committed to fostering a culture where all individuals feel valued, respected, and empowered. We celebrate our different cultural backgrounds and diverse life experiences. We try to fit our strengths and weaknesses together like puzzle pieces, complementing each other’s creativity, technical skills, writing fluency, time management, lab management, and experience navigating the academic environment. We strive to ensure that our workplace is one where everyone has equal access to opportunities, resources, and support, and where decisions are made fairly and with empathy. We recognize that diversity enhances promotes innovation, broadens the scope and impact of our science, and strengthens the relevance of our work to serve communities around the world.

We hope to promote:

Access, both physically and financially, because access is fundamental to participation and success in academia and beyond
Safety because feeling safe is a prerequisite for full engagement in academia.
Representation, because diverse role models can increase as sense of belonging
Feedback, because feeling able to speak up is critical to challenging biases in academia and creating a more inclusive community.

Lab Alumni

Macie Joyce

B.S. 2021 Agroecology, WVU
Current position: Organic certifier, Nature's International Certification Services

Gavin Bradley

B.S. 2024 Animal Science
Current position: DVM Candidate at Lincoln Memorial University

Nick Haynes

B.S. 2024 Biology

Mazie Austin

B.S. 2022 Agroecology

Colin Krisulevicz

B.S. 2025 Horticulture, West Virginia University

Currently MS student at West Virginia University

Haylie Brown

Degree: M.S. in Entomology, 2024
Current position: PhD student at Virginia Tech with Dr. Ashley Jernigan

Lauren Cheshire

Insect Agroecology Lab

@ University of California Riverside!

Who are we?