- Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey
Lamberti received his bachelor's degree in entomology, with high honors, in 1975 from UC Davis, and his doctorate in entomological sciences in 1983 from UC Berkeley, where he wrote his dissertation on "Interactions among Herbivorous Insects, Algae, and Bacteria in a Geothermally Influenced Stream."
"I have wonderful memories of UC Davis, which really started me off on my path to entomology and then aquatic science, but always with a fondness for insects," Lamberti related in a recent email. "All of my entomology professors were great, but individuals that I distinctly remember include Warren Cothran for insect ecology (which convinced me switch from zoology to entomology), Les Ehler for insect classification (urged me to go to Berkeley for my PhD), Norman Gary for insect behavior (great teacher), Robbin Thorp for insect physiology (and my advisor), and of course, Richard Bohart for insect systematics (tough, but kind). I can definitely say that my time at UC Davis and in the entomology department (I practically lived in Briggs Hall) was the formative period of my life."
"I think I was a junior when I had to take an ecology course for my major and got popped into Warren Cothran's insect ecology course of more than 100 students, which I loved mostly because of him. Well, some time during the quarter he casually said to us: 'If anyone wants to come out to the alfalfa field where I do my insect research, let me know.' Well, the next day I showed up at his office and said 'When can we go?' I think he was stunned because no one ever took him up on it. But sure enough, he said 'Okay, let's go tomorrow.' So we went out there with nets and swept the field for insects, and he explained what was going on to me. He was just inspirational, and later that semester I switched my major to entomology."
Lamberti shared a photo of a 1975 entomology class taught by Thorp. (See below.) The all-male students are displaying their collections. Entomology students then were predominately male, a sign of the times, he noted. Another sign of the times, as depicted in the photo: "Short shorts and a whole lot of moustaches."
The international award, presented annually, recognizes those who significantly advance the scientific understanding freshwater science. The honor is a highlight of Lamberti's 40-year career.
Lamberti, a Fellow of SFS, served as SFS president in 1997. He joined the University of Notre Dame faculty in 1989 as an assistant professor, advanced to associate professor in 1995, and to professor in 2000. He chaired the department from 2008 to 2014. (See CV)
Lamberti, the Rev. Julius A. Nieuwland Professor of Aquatic Science, has co-edited Methods in Stream Ecology, authored more than 200 publications, and mentored 30 graduate students "and countless undergraduates in his laboratory."
And it all began at UC Davis.