I am an evolutionary ecologist who studies plant-insect-natural enemy interactions. My research focuses on 1) examining how host plants alter insect herbivore-natural enemy interactions; 2) assessing the role of enemy-free-space and plant traits in promoting and maintaining herbivore host shifts; and 3) assessing the impacts of climate change on species interactions. I regularly teach undergraduate courses in conservation biology, plant-animal interactions, and insect biology, along with a range of specialty graduate courses in ecology. I am currently the chair of the Biology department. My most recent work is focused on understanding the ecological effects that the Brood X Periodical Cicada emergence will have on local forest ecosystems. As part of this effort, we have created free, digitally accessible educational materials geared towards K-8 students which are available on our website www.friendtocicdada.org. These materials have been used extensively to educate thousands of students throughout the DMV and the broader Brood X range states. Our research has generated considerable media attention (national and international) which will be detailed in my next annual report.