- Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey
247 years!
The seven faculty members honored at the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology's recent retirement luncheon amassed an amazing 247 years of service:
- UC Davis distinguished professor James Carey, 44 years, faculty member since 1980. He retired in June.
- UC Davis distinguished professor Richard Karban, 42 years, faculty member since 1982. He retired in June.
- UC Davis distinguished professor emerita Lynn Kimsey, 35 years, faculty member since 1989. She retired Feb. 1, 2024.
- Robert Kimsey, adjunct professor, 35 years, faculty member since 1989. He retired in June
- UC Davis distinguished professor Jay Rosenheim, 34 years, faculty member since 1990. He retired in June.
- UC Davis distinguished professor Diane Ullman, 29 years, faculty member since 1995. She retired in June.
- Sharon Lawler, professor emerita, 28 years, faculty member since 1995. She retired in January 2023.
Read about them on our UC Davis Entomology and Nematology website, with links to individual stories. You may have interacted with one or more of them through their research, teaching or public service.
As molecular geneticist and physiologist Joanna Chiu, professor and chair of the department, said prior to the retirement luncheon: “Our retiring faculty will leave behind some very big shoes to fill. “They have set the bar very high for all of us with their passion to lifelong scientific exploration, perseverance to achieve intellectual and mentoring excellence, and dedication to the department, UC Davis, and external stakeholders. We are so proud to call them colleagues and mentors and they will no doubt continue to inspire us to carry on their legacy. It is with our most sincere appreciation that we wish all of them the best in their new endeavors and adventures in this next chapter of their lives."
247 years of service!
![UC Davis distinguished professor James R. Carey, 44 years of service (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey) UC Davis distinguished professor James R. Carey, 44 years of service (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/107695.jpg)
![UC Davis distinguished professor Richard UC Davis distinguished professor Richard](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/107696.jpg)
![UC Davis distinguished professor emerita Lynn Kimsey, 35 years of service. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey) UC Davis distinguished professor emerita Lynn Kimsey, 35 years of service. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/107697.jpg)
![Robert Kimsey, adjunct professor, 35 years of service (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey) Robert Kimsey, adjunct professor, 35 years of service (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/107698.jpg)
![UC Davis distinguished professor Jay Rosenheim, 34 years of service. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey) UC Davis distinguished professor Jay Rosenheim, 34 years of service. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/107699.jpg)
![UC Davis distinguished professor Diane Ullman, 29 years of service. (Photo by Jael Mackendorf) UC Davis distinguished professor Diane Ullman, 29 years of service. (Photo by Jael Mackendorf)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/107700.jpg)
![Professor emerita Sharon Lawler, 28 years of service. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey at UC Davis Picnic Day) Professor emerita Sharon Lawler, 28 years of service. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey at UC Davis Picnic Day)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/107701.jpg)
- Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey
When Distinguished Professor Walter Leal celebrates the newest UC Davis faculty retirees with a special program at the International Center on Wednesday, Feb. 7, he'll pay tribute to 73 emeriti faculty in the cohort. Ten will serve as speakers.
The event, titled "Celebrating Our NewestEmeriti," takes place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 643 California Ave., Davis. Seating is already sold out, but folks can see the program via Zoom, saidLeal of the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and former chair of the Department of Entomology andNematology (ENT). See link at http://tinyurl.com/54ve646n.
Access the Zoom registration at http://tinyurl.com/54ve646n.
The event will have a permanent "home" on YouTube.
Of the 73 in the cohort, only one is from ENT: Professor Emerita Sharon Lawler. She continues her involvement with UC Davis via an active research project, mentoring students, and public service on occasional committees. (See news story). Numerous others from the department plan to attend, including UC Davis Distinguished Professor Emerita Lynn Kimsey, former director of the Bohart Museum of Entomology. She will be part of the next cohort.
"The cut-off time is July 1st," Leal said. "Anyone retiring after that goes to the next year's cohort."
Former ENT faculty member Arthur Shapiro, a UC Davis Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Department of Evolution and Ecology, will be among the speakers.
- Anne Britt, Professor Emerita, College of Biological Sciences (CBS), "Maintenance, Mutation, and Manipulation"
- Simon Cherry, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, College of Engineering (COE) and School of Medicine (SOM), "A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words--The World of Medical Imaging"
- Paul Gepts, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CA&ES), "Biocultural Agro-Diversity: From Before the Origins of Agriculture to a Future under Climate Change"
- Inés Hernández-Ávila, Professor Emerita, College of Letters and Science (L&S), "Engaging the Indigenous Hemisphere: Research, Relationship Building & Indigenous Futurities"
- Jay Lund, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, COE, "Thoughts on the Uses and Abuses of Universities and How to Improve a Few of Them"
- Isaac Pessah, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM), "Intersection of Natural Products and Industrial Chemicals in Discovery"
- Subhash Risbud, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, COE, "A Career Spent working with STUFF: Ceramic Materials on our Earth and Maybe Out There, Too?"
- Andres Sciolla, M.D., Professor Emeritus, SOM, "Structural Determinants of Health Professions Students' Mental Health: Implications for Institutions of Higher Education"
- Arthur Shapiro, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, CBS, "It is the Year that Bears, Not the Field!" He maintains a butterfly research site at https://butterfly.ucdavis.edu.
- Ronald Tjeerdema, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, CAES, "Chemical Risk: Four Decades of Protecting Public Health and the Environment"
President Suad Joseph of the UC Davis Emeriti Association (UCDEA) will welcome the new retirees. Provost Mary Croughan will deliver the closing remarks.
As an ongoing public service project launched in 2022, Leal organizes and hosts celebrations honoring new UC Davis emeriti, their accomplishments, and their transition to the next chapter of their lives. Leal, a leading global scientist and inventor in the field of insect olfaction and communication, is internationally known for his impact in the fields of molecular, cellular biology and entomology. A member of the UC Davis faculty since 2000, he chaired the UC Davis Department of Entomology in 2006-2008 before accepting a position in 2008 as professor of biochemistry in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology. (See news story)
![UC Davis Distinguished Professor Emerita Lynn Kimsey, former director of the Bohart Museum of Entomology, retired Jan. 31. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey) UC Davis Distinguished Professor Emerita Lynn Kimsey, former director of the Bohart Museum of Entomology, retired Jan. 31. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/104662.jpg)
![UC Davis Distinguished Professor Emeritus Art Shapiro monitoring the butterfly population in Gates Canyon, Vacaville, on Jan. 25, 2014. He is newly retired from the Department of Evolution and Ecology. Before joining that department, he was an adjunct professor with the Department of Entomology, now the Department of Entomology and Nematology. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey) UC Davis Distinguished Professor Emeritus Art Shapiro monitoring the butterfly population in Gates Canyon, Vacaville, on Jan. 25, 2014. He is newly retired from the Department of Evolution and Ecology. Before joining that department, he was an adjunct professor with the Department of Entomology, now the Department of Entomology and Nematology. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/104663.jpg)
- Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey
"Her" is aquatic entomologist Sharon Lawler of the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology, now a professor emerita.
Lawler retired in January after a 28-year career at UC Davis, but was cleaning out her office and lab recently and took time to answer a few questions.
She is known as a “A dedicated teacher and mentor, an aquatic insect expert, a role model, and a compassionate human being.”
Although an emerita, she's still mentoring students and doing research.
“Sharon always put the needs of students first,” said longtime colleague, UC Distinguished Professor Richard “Rick” Karban, a community ecologist in the Department of Entomology and Nematology. “She was focused on what they needed from her rather than the other way around. In the department, she did more than her fair share of student-centric tasks. She was committed to accommodating and including the diverse circumstances of students before that was on many people's radars. Co-teaching community ecology with Sharon for 28 years, I learned a lot about science and even more about how to treat other people with compassion.”
“One incident that stands out for me,” Karban recalled, “is a time that we were walking back to Briggs Hall from teaching on the east side of campus. “Near the Memorial Union, we saw someone who was having a bad trip. He was yelling, waving his arms, and stumbling around. My reaction was to get away from the guy in case he was dangerous. Instead, Sharon went over to him to see if she could help. She stayed and talked with him to make sure he was okay.”
Richard Kim, a doctoral candidate whom she co-advises (with Professor Marissa Baskett, Department of Environmental Science and Policy), describes Lawler as “an amazing researcher and an outstanding role-model as a supervisor; joining her lab was one of the best decisions I've made in life.”
Kim, who holds a master's degree in biology from San Francisco State University (2017), commented: “Sharon has been advising my projects related to predator-prey relationships between the imperiled giant garter snakes and non-native bullfrogs: (1) experimental feeding trials and (2) mark-recapture surveying in the field. We are currently working to prepare manuscripts that will inform conservation strategies for the snakes by alternative controlling strategies for bullfrogs. Throughout my graduate school experience, Sharon provided not only academic guidance but also sincere advice and support during my personal and health difficulties. She truly is one of the role models I have in life, as a scientist and as a P.I. (principal investigator).
See the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology feature story here and more images.
Nematologist Shahid Siddique, associate professor, UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology, wrote in the comments: "Sharon's retirement marks the end of an era for our Entomology and Nematology Department. Not only has she been an outstanding colleague, but also a dear friend to many of us. Sharon's compassion and willingness to help have always stood out. When I joined the department during the challenging times of COVID-19, it was Sharon who ensured I was settling in well. Her invaluable assistance played a very important role in helping me establish myself in Davis. We will deeply miss her presence, but her legacy of kindness and support will undoubtedly live on. Wishing Sharon all the best in her well-deserved retirement."
Thank you, Professor Emerita Sharon Lawler!
![Aquatic entomologist Sharon Lawler examining a giant water bug. She retired from the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology after a 28-year career. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey) Aquatic entomologist Sharon Lawler examining a giant water bug. She retired from the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology after a 28-year career. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/102656.jpg)
![Sharon Lawler recently examined this giant water bug under her microscope in her Briggs Hall lab. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey) Sharon Lawler recently examined this giant water bug under her microscope in her Briggs Hall lab. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/102657.jpg)
![UC Davis Picnic Day celebrants always flock to the aquatic insect displays in Briggs Hall. Here aquatic entomologist Sharon Lawler (at left) engages with the crowd. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey) UC Davis Picnic Day celebrants always flock to the aquatic insect displays in Briggs Hall. Here aquatic entomologist Sharon Lawler (at left) engages with the crowd. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/102659.jpg)
- Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey
That's how colleagues and students describe the life and legacy of Professor Emerita Sharon Lawler, an aquatic entomologist who retired in January 2023 after a 28-year career with the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology.
If you attended the annual UC Davis Picnic Day celebrations, you knew her as “the aquatic insect expert.” In her “Little Swimmers” display, she showcased aquatic biodiversity and encouraged questions on everything from tadpoles to giant water bugs mosquito larvae.
Now in her new role as professor emerita, Lawler continues to focus on preserving aquatic biodiversity. "I'm mentoring and doing research," she says.
“Sharon always put the needs of students first,” said longtime colleague, UC Distinguished Professor Richard “Rick” Karban, a community ecologist in the Department of Entomology and Nematology. “She was focused on what they needed from her rather than the other way around. In the department, she did more than her fair share of student-centric tasks. She was committed to accommodating and including the diverse circumstances of students before that was on many people's radars. Co-teaching community ecology with Sharon for 28 years, I learned a lot about science and even more about how to treat other people with compassion.”
Richard Kim, a doctoral candidate whom she co-advises (with Professor Marissa Baskett, Department of Environmental Science and Policy), describes Lawler as “an amazing researcher and an outstanding role-model as a supervisor; joining her lab was one of the best decisions I've made in life.”
Kim, who holds a bachelor's degree in ecology and evolution from UC Santa Barbara (2010) and a master's degree in biology from San Francisco State University (2017), commented: “Sharon has been advising my projects related to predator-prey relationships between the imperiled giant garter snakes and non-native bullfrogs: (1) experimental feeding trials and (2) mark-recapture surveying in the field. We are currently working to prepare manuscripts that will inform conservation strategies for the snakes by alternative controlling strategies for bullfrogs. Throughout my graduate school experience, Sharon provided not only academic guidance but also sincere advice and support during my personal and health difficulties. She truly is one of the role models I have in life, as a scientist and as a P.I. (principal investigator).
Sharon Lawler grew up in Maplewood, N.J., “where Ultimate Frisbee was invented. “For other Maplewood trivia,” she offered, “see https://sueadler.com/ten-amazing-facts-about-maplewood-new-jersey/.”
And yes, she played Frisbee.
After graduating in 1982 from Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Penn., with a bachelor's degree in biology, Sharon headed to Rutgers University, New Brunswick, N.J., for her master of science degree in ecology (1988) and her doctorate in ecology and evolution (1992).
She completed a two-year term as a postdoctoral researcher at the Imperial College, Silwood Park, Ascot, UK, and a year as a postdoc researcher in biological sciences at the University of Kentucky, Lexington, before joining the UC Davis Department of Entomology in 1995.
Her first UC Davis publication, co-authored with colleagues, dealt with tree frogs: “Thermal Physiology, Phenology, and Distribution of Tree Frogs," published in The American Naturalist in 1988. Her first publication as lead author: “Behavioural Responses to Predators and Predation Risk in Four Species of Larval Anurans." (1989, Animal Behaviour)
An avid researcher, Lawler is the co-principal investigator (with John Eadie and Daniel Karp of Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology) of a substantial grant, the Integrated Wetland Management Project, to develop reduced-pesticide mosquito control via beneficial predators. The grant, awarded in 2022, has no expiration date.
Over the last five years, her other grants, ranging from $88,000 to $659,000, dealt with
- “Impacts of Storm-Driven Contaminants on Larval Delta Smelt and the Community Scale Adaptive Capacity of Prey Items to Handle Those Stressors.” (Richard Connon, principal investigator)
- “Post Fire Ecology and Habitat Suitability Evaluation for the Proposed Federally Listed Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog on the Lassen and Plumas National Forests.” USDA: Forest Service (with Sarah Yarnell and Cathy Brown)
- “High-Throughput Biomonitoring of Aquatic Invertebrates.” (Richard Connon, co-principal investigator), California Department of Pesticide Regulation
- “Area-wide Management of Aquatic Weeds in the Sacramento/ San Joaquin River Delta for Sustainable Control in Farming Areas, Critical Wildlife Habitats, Recreational Zones and Water Conveyance Systems Important for California Agriculture and Human Health.” (Patrick Moran, principal investigator)
Lawler's academic activities included chairing the Entomology and Nematology Curriculum Committee from 2017 to 2022; serving as the lead faculty advisor for the department from 2003 to 2022; and chairing a number of academic search committees. She served on the editorial board for the international peer-reviewed Journal of Ecology and Journal of
Ecological Monographs from 2002-2021 and held membership in the Faculty of 1000, Freshwater and Marine Ecology, from 2008 to 2021. Lawler also completed two terms as chair of the Graduate Group in Ecology, and as chair of the Designated Emphasis in the Biology of Vector-Borne Diseases.
![Aquatic entomologist Sharon Lawler answering questions about aquatic insects on UC Davis Picnic Day. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey) Aquatic entomologist Sharon Lawler answering questions about aquatic insects on UC Davis Picnic Day. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)](http://ucanr.edu/blogs/entomology/blogfiles/102642.jpg)
Trivia: Sharon Lawler won the "Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Contest" at the department's 2019 winter holiday party with her recipe, "Dirty Drunk Snowball," which included only three ingredients: 1 box Trader Joe's Mini Dark Chocolate Mint Stars, 1/4 cup dark rum, and 1/4 confectioner's sugar. (See Bug Squad blog)
What are your plans for retirement after 28 years at UC Davis? Travel plans? Research? Teaching? Public service?
“I'm not off the hook for UC Davis yet! I have a couple of great, co-advised graduate students who are completing their dissertations (Rich Kim and Kyle Phillips). I'm also on a research project aimed at improving wetland management to restrict mosquito production and enhance wildlife resources. I'm fortunate to collaborate on this with Professors John Eadie and Danny Karp of the Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology; graduate student John Veon leads our field research. The project is supported by long-time UC Davis supporters Paul and Sandi Bonderson of the lovely Bird Haven Ranch, where the research takes place."
"However, I'm enjoying a lighter schedule that includes morning walks and gardening. I plan to visit with my family more often. I'll also spend more time nagging my representatives and other voters to stay woke. It's better than sleepwalking while The Man stacks the deck against We The People.”
“I have always enjoyed observing insects, but I was a late-comer to formal entomology. My degrees are in biology (B.A.) and ecology and evolution (Ph.D). My Ph.D. advisor, Peter Morin, emphasized learning about aquatic insects as an important part of aquatic food webs. We did a project on how aquatic insects affect amphibian larvae. My familiarity with aquatic insects came in very handy when I was hired as a mosquito biologist at UC Davis, but there was still a steep learning curve. Bob Washino (now professor emeritus and former department chair) and Debbie Dritz (now a vector ecologist with the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control) were very helpful in advising me about California's mosquito research issues, and Al Grigarick (now professor emeritus) gave me some excellent resources for teaching aquatic entomology. Thanks to them, and to a lot of late nights, I was doing mosquito research and teaching an entomology class within a few months of arriving at Davis. My fascination with insects has increased through time, thanks to our seminar series and the amazing research performed by our students and faculty.”
What will you miss the most?
“I'll miss the great people of our Department and the Phoenix Cluster the most. I felt very lucky to be among so many pleasant, professional, and fun folks. I will also miss daily interactions with students and colleagues in a variety of graduate groups and departments. UC Davis is full of kind, intelligent do-gooders in all sorts of jobs!”
What will you miss the least?
“I won't miss evaluating students, peers, and manuscripts. I prefer to judge silently--or sometimes confidentially, with friends over a beer. I still review the occasional manuscript because I am still publishing, but I'm more selective now.”
What do you consider your greatest accomplishments in the field of entomology? In teaching? Research? Public service?
“Oh, dear, this question is like a 'merit review'... one of the things I surely won't miss!
"In general, my research has been aimed at preserving aquatic biodiversity. In entomology, my lab's research has helped Mosquito and Vector Abatement Districts choose control methods that protect public health in ecologically sound ways. I also collaborated with the Larry Godfrey and Richard Connon labs on projects that revealed non-target effects of various agricultural chemicals on aquatic insects and other taxa." (Note: The late Larry Godfrey, 1956-2017 was a UC Cooperative Extension entomology specialist and Richard Connon, recently retired, served on the School of Veterinary Medicine faculty and is with the UC Davis Coastal and Marine Sciences Institute.)
"Not all of my projects were in entomology. In other work we evaluated whether various invasive species harm native frogs or snakes; invasives included a fungus, bullfrogs, and various fishes. These projects have helped wildlife managers conserve native species. I've also done research on how food web structure affects population dynamics, using protists as a model system.”
Any other comments?
“As an instructor, I enjoyed teaching aquatic entomology all 28 years, especially getting students out to our Natural Reserves to see insects in their habitats. I also loved teaching Community Ecology to graduate students from several graduate groups; we have top-notch students and discussion sessions were rewarding.”
![Aquatic entomologist Sharon Lawler, professor emerita, at her microscope in Briggs Hall. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey) Aquatic entomologist Sharon Lawler, professor emerita, at her microscope in Briggs Hall. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/102634.jpg)
![One of the aquatic insects that Sharon Lawler researches is the giant water bug, family Belostomatidae. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey) One of the aquatic insects that Sharon Lawler researches is the giant water bug, family Belostomatidae. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/102635.jpg)
![Sharon Lawler stands next to her co-authored publication, “Effects of Mosquitofish and Bullfrog Tadpoles on the Threatened California Red-Legged Frog (Rana aurora draytonii). Sharon Lawler stands next to her co-authored publication, “Effects of Mosquitofish and Bullfrog Tadpoles on the Threatened California Red-Legged Frog (Rana aurora draytonii).](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/102639.jpg)
![Sharon Lawler (center) engages 2019 UC Davis Picnic Day attendees visiting her Sharon Lawler (center) engages 2019 UC Davis Picnic Day attendees visiting her](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/102648.jpg)
- Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey
The article, noting that World Mosquito Day is Aug. 20, ranks 2023's Most Vulnerable Counties to Mosquito-Borne Diseases.
"We compared nearly 800 counties based on four categories. We looked at the number of mosquito species in each state, recent cases of diseases like West Nile and Eastern equine encephalitis viruses, and mosquito-friendly climate, among 12 total metrics," author Sav Maive wrote.
The 10 most vulnerable:
- Pitt County, N.C.
- Maricopa County, Arizona
- Buncombe County, N.C.
- Brazonia County, Texas
- Liberty County, Ga.
- Jefferson County, Texas
- Knox County, Tenn.
- Cameron County, Texas
- Galveston County, Texas
- Camden County, Ga.
The group gathered data on 772 U.S.counties that reported human cases of mosquito-borne diseases from 2020 to 2022. Then they interviewed three university faculty members from California, Florida and Texas. In addition to Lawler, they were Eva Buckner of the University of Florida and Patricia Pietrantonio of Texas A&M.
Lawler's responses:
Mosquitoes are deemed the world's deadliest animal. How concerned should Americans be about the West Nile Virus, locally transmitted malaria, or other mosquito-borne diseases?
"Americans should be moderately concerned about mosquito-borne illness, to the extent of protecting themselves from bites and preventing accumulation of stagnant water where mosquitoes breed (other than natural wetlands and ponds, which will support beneficial predators). Serious mosquito-borne illness is rare in the Continental U.S.A., thanks to public and private Mosquito Abatement organizations, and certain environmental factors. However, some warm, humid regions, like Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and the US Virgin Islands are prone to outbreaks of mosquito-transmitted pathogens, such as Dengue viruses. West Nile Virus is widespread and can be harmful to those with weak immune systems. Other encephalitis-causing viruses may be more localized, but can occasionally be serious, such as Eastern Equine Encephalitis. Malaria is only found in few places in the South, but it has some capacity to spread if mosquitoes are not controlled."
What types of environments attract mosquitoes into people's homes, and how can they be avoided?
"Puddles and other wet areas that hold water for five or more days can let mosquitoes breed, because their larvae are aquatic. Avoid over-watering such that water accumulates in ditches, empty plant saucers and anything else that collects water (old tires and similar), and drain unused pools. Treehole water can support the mosquitoes that carry heartworm to pets. A hole drilled into the base of the treehole can drain it, while still leaving habitat for nesting birds. Maintain good screens on the house."
What are your top three mosquito repellent recommendations?
"I really only have two: repellents based on DEET, and lemon-eucalyptus oil. Some botanicals other than lemon eucalyptus also work, such as geraniol, but might need to be applied more often."
What are your top three tips for managing itchiness or pain from mosquito bites?
"Prevention: First, wear light-colored, long-sleeved shirts and long pants if you can, and use repellent. If bitten, you can use a topical antihistamine, or witch hazel. A band-aid can be helpful for compulsive scratchers."
What are the most concerning symptoms from mosquito bites?
"I am not a medical doctor, so the following is not official medical advice, and should not be presented as such in any context. Most of the mosquito-borne diseases take a couple of days or more to incubate. They can cause headaches and fever. Consider consulting a medical doctor if these symptoms arise in the days after bites occur. Secondary infections caused by scratching are also concerning. These are frequently indicated by discharge, excessive swelling and pain, and sometimes red streaks near the bite."
Which animal species are most vulnerable to mosquito-borne diseases? Should pet owners be worried?
"I am also not a veterinarian, so the following is not comprehensive. Owners of some kinds of pets need to be concerned about pet exposure to mosquitoes. Heartworm is carried by mosquitoes. This can affect dogs and sometimes cats. These should be vaccinated, especially where heartworm is common (most of the USA). Horses are quite vulnerable to some of the encephalitis viruses, such as West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis, and should be vaccinated. Pet birds can contract West Nile virus and some of the other viruses. This often isn't serious, but young birds should be protected as they may have less immunity, and outdoor aviaries should be screened."
Lawler joined the then UC Davis Department of Entomology in 1995, retiring in January 2023. She taught aquatic entomology and community entomology. Her research interests: Aquatic ecology, especially mosquitoes, other aquatic insects and amphibians; experimental studies of food webs and population dynamics; and ecosystem subsidy.
Lawler chaired the Entomology and Nematology Curriculum Committee from 2017 to 2022, and served as the lead faculty advisor of the department from 2003 to 2022. On campus, she chaired the Designated Emphasis in Biology of Vector Borne Disease (DEBVBD) from 2017 to 2020, and served on the DEBVBD Executive Committee from 2021-2022.
Lawler holds a doctorate in ecology and evolution (1992) from Rutgers University, New Brunswick, N.J. and did postdoctoral research at the Imperial College, Silwood Park, Ascot, UK, and at the University of Kentucky, Lexington.