Person

Charity Grace Owings

Research Asst Professor | Entomology and Plant Pathology

Specialization: Forensics Entomology & Population Genetics and Molecular Ecology of Carrion Arthropods

Overview

I joined the Entomology and Plant Pathology Department in August 2023. I spent four years as a postdoc, first at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) studying the use of blow flies as environmental sensors to detect chemical warfare agents (2019 – 2020) and then as a Haslam postdoctoral fellow at the UTK Forensic Anthropology Center studying the carrion arthropods associated with human decomposition (2020 – 2023). During my time at the FAC, I developed and taught two forensic entomology courses over a two-year period, and taught evidence collection procedures to hundreds of domestic and international law enforcement and other forensic professionals at the Anthropology Research Facility (ARF), colloquially known as the “Body Farm”.

I received my Ph.D. at IUPUI under the supervision of Dr. Christine Picard in the Department of Biology where I studied the population genetics, molecular diet analysis, and stable isotope analysis of blow flies from Indiana, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and Yellowstone National Park. I received my MS in Entomology from Texas A&M University under the supervision of Dr. Jeffery Tomberlin, where I studied phenotypic plasticity in blow flies. Thus far, I have mentored five graduate students (two PhD, three MS), nine undergraduates, and three high school students. I currently serve on the graduate committees of one PhD student and one MS student.

I currently serve as a forensic entomology consultant and expert witness in death investigation cases from across the US. I am currently working to obtain board certification from the American Board of Forensic Entomology.

Courses
Below are courses taught during the current or past three academic years. Consult Timetable for the most current listing of courses and instructor(s).
AGNR 481 - Special Topics in Agriculture and Natural Resources
1 - 3 credit hours

Topics and formats vary to address current issues and opportunities for student development.

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 6 hours.
Registration Permission: Consent of Instructor

Other Instructors: West, Molly

EPP 135 - Eaters of the Dead: Introduction to Forensic Entomology
3 credit hour(s)

Forensic entomology is the study of insects and other arthropods in a criminal justice setting, specifically related to death, abuse, or neglect investigations. The topics covered in this class will serve as broad surveys of the various methods used in this field, as well as relevant research areas, future directions of the field, and the importance of this field to human society. This course will prepare students for higher level courses in biology and the forensic sciences. Satisfies Volunteer Core Requirement: (NS)

EPP 201 - Impact of Insects and Plant Diseases on Human Societies
3 credit hour(s)

Insects and plant diseases have had a significant influence on human history, culture, and lifestyles. The science of entomology and plant pathology helps humankind understand the impact of insects and plant pathogens on these dimensions of human existence. The development of strategies to capitalize on the beneficial aspects of these organisms will also be explored. Satisfies Volunteer Core Requirement: (NS) Satisfies General Education Requirement through the 2021-2022 academic catalog: (NS)

EPP 210 - Bugs: Bizarre, Beautiful, and Beneficial
3 credit hour(s)

This course will introduce students to the diverse world of insects and the integral interactions between insects and humans. More than one million insect species have been described, with estimates ranging from 10 to 30 million species yet to be discovered. Scientists estimate that there are about 250 million insects for every human on earth and they comprise about 10% of the earth’s weight and represent ca. 80 to 85% of all life on earth! Fortunately, only a small percentage of all insects cause us grief, anguish, pain, and misery. The majority of them may be classified as bizarre, beautiful, or beneficial! This course will focus on the role of insects in our world, with an emphasis on their beneficial contributions to our quality of life. Satisfies Volunteer Core Requirement: (NS) Satisfies General Education Requirement through the 2021-2022 academic catalog: (NS)

EPP 485 - Advanced Forensic Entomology
4 credit hour(s)

This course will take a deep dive into the field of forensic entomology, specifically examining the biology and ecology of relevant arthropods; currently accepted practices, methodologies, and research avenues; and ethical considerations for serving as an expert witness in the United States. Students will become familiar with the morphology and taxonomic identification of larval and adult stages of relevant arthropods and pertinent molecular methods to identify unknown samples through experiential learning conducted in the laboratory and at the Anthropology Research Facility (i.e., The Body Farm). Students will perform a mock minimum-time-since-death estimation and craft a written case report. Satisfies Volunteer Core Requirement: (EI)
Contact Hour Distribution: 3 hours lecture and 1-hour lab.
Registration Restriction(s): Junior or higher standing

EPP 640 - Seminar
1 credit hour(s)

Presentation of research proposals and research (dissertation or thesis) seminars by students. Presentations on current topics by outside speakers.

Grading Restriction: Satisfactory/No Credit grading only.
Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 4 hours.
Registration Restriction(s): Minimum student level - graduate.

Other Instructors: Lamour, Kurt H

Picture of Charity Grace Owings
226 Third Creek Building
2415 Fletcher Luck Lane
Knoxville, TN 37996-4560
Education and Training
  • PhD, Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, 2019
  • MS, Entomology, Texas A&M University, 2012

Charity Grace Owings

Research Asst Professor | Entomology and Plant Pathology
Picture of Charity Grace Owings image
226 Third Creek Building
2415 Fletcher Luck Lane
Knoxville, TN 37996-4560
Education and Training
  • PhD, Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, 2019
  • MS, Entomology, Texas A&M University, 2012
Overview

I joined the Entomology and Plant Pathology Department in August 2023. I spent four years as a postdoc, first at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) studying the use of blow flies as environmental sensors to detect chemical warfare agents (2019 – 2020) and then as a Haslam postdoctoral fellow at the UTK Forensic Anthropology Center studying the carrion arthropods associated with human decomposition (2020 – 2023). During my time at the FAC, I developed and taught two forensic entomology courses over a two-year period, and taught evidence collection procedures to hundreds of domestic and international law enforcement and other forensic professionals at the Anthropology Research Facility (ARF), colloquially known as the “Body Farm”.

I received my Ph.D. at IUPUI under the supervision of Dr. Christine Picard in the Department of Biology where I studied the population genetics, molecular diet analysis, and stable isotope analysis of blow flies from Indiana, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and Yellowstone National Park. I received my MS in Entomology from Texas A&M University under the supervision of Dr. Jeffery Tomberlin, where I studied phenotypic plasticity in blow flies. Thus far, I have mentored five graduate students (two PhD, three MS), nine undergraduates, and three high school students. I currently serve on the graduate committees of one PhD student and one MS student.

I currently serve as a forensic entomology consultant and expert witness in death investigation cases from across the US. I am currently working to obtain board certification from the American Board of Forensic Entomology.

Courses
Below are courses taught during the current or past three academic years. Consult Timetable for the most current listing of courses and instructor(s).
AGNR 481 - Special Topics in Agriculture and Natural Resources
1 - 3 credit hours

Topics and formats vary to address current issues and opportunities for student development.

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 6 hours.
Registration Permission: Consent of Instructor

Other Instructors: West, Molly

EPP 135 - Eaters of the Dead: Introduction to Forensic Entomology
3 credit hour(s)

Forensic entomology is the study of insects and other arthropods in a criminal justice setting, specifically related to death, abuse, or neglect investigations. The topics covered in this class will serve as broad surveys of the various methods used in this field, as well as relevant research areas, future directions of the field, and the importance of this field to human society. This course will prepare students for higher level courses in biology and the forensic sciences. Satisfies Volunteer Core Requirement: (NS)

EPP 201 - Impact of Insects and Plant Diseases on Human Societies
3 credit hour(s)

Insects and plant diseases have had a significant influence on human history, culture, and lifestyles. The science of entomology and plant pathology helps humankind understand the impact of insects and plant pathogens on these dimensions of human existence. The development of strategies to capitalize on the beneficial aspects of these organisms will also be explored. Satisfies Volunteer Core Requirement: (NS) Satisfies General Education Requirement through the 2021-2022 academic catalog: (NS)

EPP 210 - Bugs: Bizarre, Beautiful, and Beneficial
3 credit hour(s)

This course will introduce students to the diverse world of insects and the integral interactions between insects and humans. More than one million insect species have been described, with estimates ranging from 10 to 30 million species yet to be discovered. Scientists estimate that there are about 250 million insects for every human on earth and they comprise about 10% of the earth’s weight and represent ca. 80 to 85% of all life on earth! Fortunately, only a small percentage of all insects cause us grief, anguish, pain, and misery. The majority of them may be classified as bizarre, beautiful, or beneficial! This course will focus on the role of insects in our world, with an emphasis on their beneficial contributions to our quality of life. Satisfies Volunteer Core Requirement: (NS) Satisfies General Education Requirement through the 2021-2022 academic catalog: (NS)

EPP 485 - Advanced Forensic Entomology
4 credit hour(s)

This course will take a deep dive into the field of forensic entomology, specifically examining the biology and ecology of relevant arthropods; currently accepted practices, methodologies, and research avenues; and ethical considerations for serving as an expert witness in the United States. Students will become familiar with the morphology and taxonomic identification of larval and adult stages of relevant arthropods and pertinent molecular methods to identify unknown samples through experiential learning conducted in the laboratory and at the Anthropology Research Facility (i.e., The Body Farm). Students will perform a mock minimum-time-since-death estimation and craft a written case report. Satisfies Volunteer Core Requirement: (EI)
Contact Hour Distribution: 3 hours lecture and 1-hour lab.
Registration Restriction(s): Junior or higher standing

EPP 640 - Seminar
1 credit hour(s)

Presentation of research proposals and research (dissertation or thesis) seminars by students. Presentations on current topics by outside speakers.

Grading Restriction: Satisfactory/No Credit grading only.
Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 4 hours.
Registration Restriction(s): Minimum student level - graduate.

Other Instructors: Lamour, Kurt H