Current Musser Lab Members

Primary Investigator- Dr. Richard O. Musser Assistant Biology Professor Dept. Biological Sciences at Western Illinois University Email Dr. Musser or RO-Musser@wiu.edu

If you want to know more about my professional education, seminars, and awards see my CV (with links) or check out our lab publications below.

Co-Primary Investigator- Dr. Sue M. Hum-Musser Research Associate Dept. Biological Sciences at Western Illinois University

Active Collaborators- Drs. Judy Brown, Cheryl Vanier (University of Arizona), and Don Cipollini (Wright State University), Cesar Rodriquez-Saona (Michigan State University), Rose Gergerich (University of Arkansas)

Research Lab Manager- Mr. Spencer A. Williams

Master's Biology Students

Ms. Sucheta Aaytee

Master's Thesis: Functional Genomics of Maize to Insect Herbivory

Careers Goals- Ph.D. in Bioinformatics

Ms. Jacque Gerard

Master's Thesis: Molecular Response of Maize to H. zea herbivory

Careers Goals- Research Technician or Ph. D.

Ms. Yaa

Master's Thesis: Induction of Plant Pathogen Defenses

Careers Goals- M.D. or Ph. D.

Mr. Hyeog Sun Kwon "Sunny":

Master's Thesis: Evidence that Caterpillar Salivary Enzyme Provides Protection Against Pathogens

Career Goals- Ph. D. program with a Molecular Biology emphasis

Mrs. Mari Aanenson

Master's Thesis: Testing plant defense hormones in a garden.

Careers Goals- Community College Instructor

Mr. C. James White

Master's Thesis: Testing the function of caterpillar saliva on plant defenses.

Careers Goals- Research Technician

Mr. Tyler Lomax

Master's Thesis: Caterpllar Saliva and Insect Pathogen Infectivity

Careers Goals- Optometry

Mr. Henry Lee

Master's Thesis: Effect of Caterpillar Salivary Enzyme LAP on Plant Defenses

Careers Goals- M.D., or D.O.

Biology Undergraduate Students

Ms. Kim Lecompte

Honor's Thesis subject area- Interaction of Mexican Bean Beetle and Corn Earworm Caterpillar on Pinto beans

Career Goals- Graduate School, and/or interested in working in a Zoo setting.

Mr. Nate Holton

Part-time student research assistant

Career Goals- D.D.S. or D.D.M.

Mr. Joseph Sherman

Honor's Thesis subject area- Corn Earworm Caterpillar on soybeans

Career Goals- Graduate School

Lab Mascot- Marc O. Musser "ABD" Born 27 June 2003

Lab Alumni

2002-2003 Matthew Gallucci, Spencer Williams and Michael Robinson (University of Arizona). Post-doc mentor for Mr. Gallucci, closely advised him on designing experiments for his Master’s thesis. Spencer Williams Undergraduate Research Assistant and Mike Robinson High School research assistant worked directly with me on insect saliva experiments.

2001 Shannon E. Slaten-Bickford1, John Goff§, Spencer Williams^ ,John Smith§ and Shaun Steele* (University of Arkansas). 1Undergraduate Research Assistant;§Students from Arkansas School for Mathematics and Sciences, Hot Springs, AR; *Upward Bound. Advised students on a summer research project dealing with the Tri-trophic relationship between the Mexican Bean Beetle, Bean Pod Mottle Virus, and soybeans. §1st place overall team science fair competition, and competed in International Science Fair Competition in May 2002. ^1st place Regional Science Fair in Botany and 1st place Regional Jr. Academy in Botany.

2000 & 2001 Michelle Shreve (University of Arkansas). Student from Arkansas School for Mathematics and Sciences, Hot Springs, AR and Upward Bound. Advised Michelle on a summer research project dealing with the suppression of the virulence of the insect pathogen HzNPV by caterpillar saliva. Her results from our research project resulted in her winning three science fair awards: 1st place Regional Science Fair in Zoology and 1st place Regional Jr. Academy for Zoology, Honorable Mention Overall Regional Science Fair, 3rd place State Jr. Academy in Zoology and State Science Fair in Zoology, Special Award from the U.S. Army ($50 savings bond).