Corinne (Cory) M. Unruh

cmunruh "at" ucdavis.edu
1282 Academic Surge
lab/fax: (530) 754-5804

Education

University of California, Davis

Ph.D. 9/2007
M.S. 9/2006

Major: Entomology
Major Advisor: Penny J. Gullan (pjgullan "at" ucdavis.edu)

My dissertation research focused on the systematics and molecular phylogenetics of the Iceryini tribe (Family Monophlebidae) of scale insects. I have created computer-based interactive identification tools, curated insect collections, compiled historical references, identified and described new insect species and created and managed an informational web site. I am trained in molecular phylogenetic techniques, such as DNA extraction, PCR, DNA purification, sequencing and have worked with computer programs related to phylogenetic reconstruction.

Extracurricular activities: Entomology Graduate Student Association, Entomology Club, UCD Women's Club Water Polo Team, John Muir Trail thru-hiker!

University of California, Los Angeles

B.S. 12/2001

Major: Ecology, Behavior and Evolution

I chose the ecology, behavior and evolution degree path because it was the only biology major with a field requirement. I traveled to Nicaragua to fulfill this requirement where I studied the behavior of stingless bees (Trigona fulviventris) and their interactions with native plants and predators. Other coursework: chemistry (organic and physical), biochemistry, physics, calculus, genetics, ecology, conservation biology, evolution, invertebrate systematics, Spanish, Latin, communications, and other general education classes.

Extracurricular activities: Marching Band Drumline, 2 years; Outdoor Adventures, 3 years.

School for Field Studies, Boston University
Nairobi, Kenya
Some College Coursework Completed - 12/2000

I studied in Kenya for a semester and lived half of the time on a working game ranch and the other half outside of a village studying the wildlife, native plants and living among the Maasai people. As part of a research project, my team and I mapped the distribution of medicinal plants surrounding a Maasai village and interviewed villagers about their experience using those plants. We then presented our research to the community.

Awards and Honors

2006 Student Activity Award, Entomological Society of America, Pacific Branch
2006 UCD Interdisciplinary Graduate Symposium, 2nd Place Submitted Poster
2006 UCD NSF Fellows Support, 2 quarters $15,000 stipend, $7,500 tuition
2005 UCD Center for Biosystematics Research Grant, $500
2005 UCD GSA Travel Grant to Entomological Society of America Meeting, $500
2004 UCD Center for Biosystematics Research Grant, $500
2004 UCD Deptartment of Entomology MacBeth Memorial Scholarship, $1000
2004 UCD Jastro-Shields Summer Research Award, $3000
2004 American Museum of Natural History Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Grant, $1950
2004 UCD Graduate Studies Travel Grant to Scale Insect Symposium, Adana, Turkey, $1000
2003 UCD Center for Biosystematics Research Grant, $1000
2003 NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, 3 years, $85,000 stipend, $41,900 tuition

Leadership Activities

2005-2006 President of UC Davis Entomology Graduate Student Association
2005-2006 Student chair of UC Davis Entomology Department Picnic Day committee
2005 Organizer and moderator at ESA Pacific Branch meeting of graduate student symposium, "Current graduate research in systematics"
2004-2005 Student volunteer at annual ESA meetings
2003–2005 Member of the UC Davis Linnaean Games Team
2003–2004 Entomology Club Treasurer
2002–2003 Captain of UC Davis women's water polo club team

Publications

Unruh, C.M. and P.J. Gullan, accepted by Systematic Entomology. Molecular data reveal convergent reproductive strategies in iceryine scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Monophlebidae), allowing re-interpretation of morphology and a revised generic classification. To be published in January 2008.
Unruh, C.M. and P.J. Gullan, submitted to Zootaxa. Identification guide to species in the scale insect tribe Iceryini (Coccoidea: Monophlebidae).
Unruh, C.M., submitted to Zootaxa. A revision of Crypticerya (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Monophlebidae) species in the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Hodges, G.S., Hodges, A.C. & C.M. Unruh, in review for Florida Entomlogist. A new exotic pest for Florida’s natural areas: Icerya genistae Hempel (Hemiptera: Margarodidae).
Unruh, C.M. and P.J. Gullan. 2007. Hypogeal margarodids of the genus Heteromargarodes Jakubski (Hemiptera: Margarodidae) from the western United States. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. 109 (10): 166–181.
Unruh, C.M. 2005. Iceryine Online. http://entomology.ucdavis.edu/gullanandcranstonlab/IceryineOnline/Home.htm

Presentations

Talks

2006 California Department of Food and Agriculture, Sacramento, CA. Invited speaker. "Systematics of giant scales."
2005 ESA Annual Meeting, Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Student paper. "Systematics of iceryine scale insects (Hemiptera: Margarodidae)."
2004 Pacific Branch ESA Annual Meeting, Asilomar, CA. Symposium moderator.
2004 ESA Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT. Student paper. "Classification and taxonomy of iceryine scales (Coccoidea: Margarodidae)."
2004 Pacific Branch ESA Annual Meeting, Bozeman, MT. Student paper.
2003 10th International Symposium on Scale Insect Studies (X-ISSIS), Adana, Turkey. Submitted talk.

Posters

2006 Interdisciplinary Graduate Symposium, UC Davis, "Ground pearls of North America."
2004 International Congress of Entomology, Brisbane, Australia. Submitted poster.

Teaching Experience

Freshman Seminar Coordinator and Lecturer, "A Bug's Life"

UC Davis (Fall 2004)
Dr. Walter Leal, UCD Department of Entomology

Graduate Seminar Coordinator, "Creating Effective Scientific Posters"

UC Davis (Winter 2004)
Dr. Walter Leal/Dr. Rob Page, UCD Department of Entomology (Rob Page now at ASU)

Teaching/Lab Assistant, "Invertebrate Systematics"

UCLA (Spring 2000)
Dr. William Hamner, UCLA Department of Organismal Biology and Evolution

Work Experience

Gullan & Cranston Systematic Entomology lab
UC Davis
Postdoctoral Researcher
10/2007-present

I am working with Penny Gullan and Doug Williams (BMNH) on a revision of the Icerya species of Australia. (Supervisor: Dr. Penny Gullan)

Bohart Museum of Entomology
UC Davis
Volunteer Tour Guide
10/2003-6/2006

As a docent for various groups, including university classes, elementary school groups and public clubs, I presented information ranging from basic insect facts to biodiversity, defensive behaviors, life cycles and non-insect arthropods. I volunteered at regional events, such as local festivals and answered insect-related questions. I also demonstrated entomophagy on a local television morning show. (Supervisor: Dr. Lynn Kimsey, Museum Director)

Vermejo Park Ranch
Cimarron, NM
Field Assistant
3/2002-8/2002

I volunteered as a field assistant in for an investigation of the behavior of the black-footed prairie dog. We investigated the impacts of a translocation on the social interactions of the black-tailed prairie dog and studied the development of antipredator behavior. I ran behavioral assays on prairie dogs, and wrangled wild animals (including rattlesnakes, ferrets and rabbits) (Supervisor: Dr. Debra Shier).

Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden
UCLA
Student Intern
6/2001-9/2001

I worked in the 7-acre botanical garden in the middle of the UCLA campus. I assisted the full-time garden staff in maintaining the collection and worked with community volunteers (Supervisor: Dr. Arthur Gibson).

Kearney Agricultural Research Station
6/1999-9/2000

I worked summers in a plant pathology and an entomology lab. I assisted in field and lab experiments studying fungal and bacterial diseases of almond trees. I also assisted in field trials for insect biological control experiments in alfalfa, cotton and walnuts and worked in the lab identifying insects (Supervisor: Dr. Beth Teviotdale).

References

Please contact me directly for references.

Gullan and Cranston Lab, UC Davis