Kelsey Coffman
Specialization: Insect-Microbe Symbiosis, Host-Parasite Interactions, Insect Genomics
I began my journey as a scientist at the University of Georgia, where I completed my PhD in Entomology under the direction of Dr. Gaelen Burke in 2020. I then worked from 2021-2023 as a USDA-ARS postdoctoral researcher with Dr. Scott Geib on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi. I joined the UTIA Entomology and Plant Pathology Department as an Assistant Professor in 2024.
My research to date largely falls within the realm of insect-microbe interactions. I study insect viruses – specifically those viruses that have evolved to be beneficial to their hosts, which has repeatedly occurred within the parasitoid wasps. Viruses are primarily considered to be pathogenic entities that exploit host organisms for their own gain. However, increasing evidence suggests that viruses often evolve to persist within hosts, and some are even beneficial for their hosts. The best-studied examples of ‘good’ viruses are found within parasitoid wasps, in which viruses are inherited by wasp offspring and act as biological weapons that incapacitate insect hosts of the wasps during parasitism.
A growing number of heritable viruses have been identified in various parasitoid wasp lineages, including wasps that serve as important biological control agents used to suppress agricultural pest populations. Very little is known about most of these viruses, even though some are pivotal for parasitoid wasp success. These viruses could therefore represent hidden aspects of natural biological systems that are used to mitigate pest species.
My lab group uses a combination of molecular biology, manipulative genetics, and genomic sequencing techniques to explore these novel insect-virus interactions and aims to use this knowledge in the future to develop innovative biological control strategies.
A major goal of my program is to better understand beneficial viruses from an evolutionary biology perspective, with the long-term goal of exploring their potential uses in downstream pest control strategies to promote sustainable agriculture.
My role as an educator is to support diverse learning needs and challenges. I aim to be accessible, tailor teaching methods to individual learning styles, and create open dialogues.
As scientists, it's our duty to communicate research effectively to the public. I'm committed to sharing my work with diverse audiences and teaching others to do the same.
- How do heritable viruses impact insect biology and evolution?
- What genomic changes underlie the initial stages of viral symbiosis?
- How do viruses evolve from pathogens into mutualists?
- How do parasitoid viruses deter insect pests at a molecular and genetic level?
- What other molecular factors dictate the success of biological control agents?
- PhD, Entomology, University of Georgia, 2020
Kelsey Coffman
- PhD, Entomology, University of Georgia, 2020
I began my journey as a scientist at the University of Georgia, where I completed my PhD in Entomology under the direction of Dr. Gaelen Burke in 2020. I then worked from 2021-2023 as a USDA-ARS postdoctoral researcher with Dr. Scott Geib on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi. I joined the UTIA Entomology and Plant Pathology Department as an Assistant Professor in 2024.
My research to date largely falls within the realm of insect-microbe interactions. I study insect viruses – specifically those viruses that have evolved to be beneficial to their hosts, which has repeatedly occurred within the parasitoid wasps. Viruses are primarily considered to be pathogenic entities that exploit host organisms for their own gain. However, increasing evidence suggests that viruses often evolve to persist within hosts, and some are even beneficial for their hosts. The best-studied examples of ‘good’ viruses are found within parasitoid wasps, in which viruses are inherited by wasp offspring and act as biological weapons that incapacitate insect hosts of the wasps during parasitism.
A growing number of heritable viruses have been identified in various parasitoid wasp lineages, including wasps that serve as important biological control agents used to suppress agricultural pest populations. Very little is known about most of these viruses, even though some are pivotal for parasitoid wasp success. These viruses could therefore represent hidden aspects of natural biological systems that are used to mitigate pest species.
My lab group uses a combination of molecular biology, manipulative genetics, and genomic sequencing techniques to explore these novel insect-virus interactions and aims to use this knowledge in the future to develop innovative biological control strategies.
A major goal of my program is to better understand beneficial viruses from an evolutionary biology perspective, with the long-term goal of exploring their potential uses in downstream pest control strategies to promote sustainable agriculture.
My role as an educator is to support diverse learning needs and challenges. I aim to be accessible, tailor teaching methods to individual learning styles, and create open dialogues.
As scientists, it's our duty to communicate research effectively to the public. I'm committed to sharing my work with diverse audiences and teaching others to do the same.
- How do heritable viruses impact insect biology and evolution?
- What genomic changes underlie the initial stages of viral symbiosis?
- How do viruses evolve from pathogens into mutualists?
- How do parasitoid viruses deter insect pests at a molecular and genetic level?
- What other molecular factors dictate the success of biological control agents?