- Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey
The open house, free and family friendly, is set for 1 to 4 p.m. in Room 1124 of the Academic Surge Building, 455 Crocker Lane, UC Davis campus. “He will give a brief introduction to the field at the start of the event in the wildlife classroom (next door) and then we will move into our regular one-on-one, question-and-answer format,” announced Tabatha Yang, education and outreach coordinator.
Kimsey, who received his bachelor's degree and doctorate from UC Davis, focuses his research on public health entomology, arthropods of medical importance, and zoonotic disease, as well as the biology and ecology of tick-borne pathogens, and tick feeding behavior and biochemistry.
Kimsey staffs the annual “Dr. Death” booth at Briggs Hall during the campuswide UC Davis Picnic Day. He pin-mounts and identifies flies from various cases and research efforts, and displays studies on the sequence of development of individual maggots, calling attention to the development and sequence of communities of insect maggots. "By these means, approximations about how long a person has been dead can be made," he told the crowd. He also discussed recently adjudicated cases.
Kimsey wears a number of hats. He's the master advisor of the Animal Biology major; an assistant adjunct professor, UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology; and the faculty chair of the department's Picnic Day. He's also the advisor to the UC Davis Entomology Club and that includes guiding students to such venues as Alcatraz Island to see the flies and other insects.
Known as an outstanding teacher, advisor and mentor, Kimsey won the 2020 top faculty academic advising award from the international NACADA, the “global community for academic advising.”
Kimsey is also a 2019 winner of a faculty advising award from the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, the Eleanor and Harry Walker Advising Awards. He previously won the UC Davis Outstanding Faculty Advising Award, and the Distinction in Student Mentoring Award from the Pacific Branch, Entomological Society of America.
The Bohart Museum, home of a global collection of eight million insect specimens, plus a live "petting zoo" and a gift shop, is directed by UC Davis distinguished professor Lynn Kimsey.
- Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey
Visitors at the Bohart Museum of Entomology open house on Sunday afternoon, July 9 not only engaged in maggot art but conversed one-on-one with members of the North American Forensic Entomology Association (NAFEA), on campus July 7-12 for their annual conference. Forensic entomologist Robert Kimsey of the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology, is a past president of the group.
Maggot art involves dipping a maggot into non-toxic, water-based paint and guiding it--or letting it crawl--on a piece of paper. It's suitable for framing or for refrigerator art.
Forensic entomologist Rebecca O'Flaherty, a former graduate student of Kimsey's, coined the educational teaching curriculum, "Maggot Art," back in 2001 when she was studying at the University of Hawaii. She was rearing blowflies for her forensic research and wanted an activity to draw the interest of elementary school students. She also wanted to generate interest and respect for forensic entomology.
Her Maggot Art quickly drew national interest. The CSI television show featured one of her works, “Ancient Offering,” which hung on the permanent set in Gil Grissom's office. O'Flaherty also exhibited her work at art shows, including a two-month exhibition at the Capital Athletic Club, Sacramento, in 2007.
Neel Fulde, 7, of Davis, attending with his mother, Shama Mesiwala, created an obstacle-course drawing. "I'd like a faster maggot," he told NAFEA member Royce Cumming of Salinas Valley.
"As soon as I give it a bath," Cumming told him.
"I hope that one is faster than the one I have," Neel said. "I want a fast one."
Olivia Storms, 6, of Davis, attending with her father, David Storms, embellished her art with a colorful signature and whirls and swirls.
Adults tried their hand at it, too, including Jered Bell of Vacaville, aerospace engineering student at UC Davis and Alejandra Wilson of Fairfield, a biotechnology major at Solano Community College. "We've never done this before," Bell said. Maggot art is popular at the annual campuswide UC Davis Picnic Day, when the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology offers the activity at Briggs Hall.
NAFEA member Greg Nigoghosian of Purdue University wore a T-shirt, the work of Purdue students, that read "Crime Scene: Do Not Cross," that included a body outline and the words "Our day begins when your day ends."
The goal of NAFEA is to promote the development of forensic entomology throughout North America and to encourage co-operation with other similar international bodies. NAFEA defines its mission as “to provide a cooperative arena for forensic entomologists to interact and collaborate in ways that enhance the science, moral and ethical foundation, and reputation of forensic entomology.”
The July 9th open house is the first of three open houses during the summer. All are free and open to the public.
Saturday, July 22, Moth Night from 8 to 11 p.m.: Moth Night, held in conjunction with National Moth Week, will enable visitors to explore nighttime nature through a blacklighting setup, enabling the collection of moths and other insects. The event takes place in the courtyard in back of the Bohart Museum. The museum will be open throughout Moth Night.
The Bohart Museum, directed by Lynn Kimsey, professor of entomology at UC Davis, houses a global collection of nearly eight million specimens. It is also the home of the seventh largest insect collection in North America, and the California Insect Survey, a storehouse of the insect biodiversity. Noted entomologist Richard M. Bohart (1913-2007) founded the museum.
Special attractions include a “live” petting zoo, featuring Madagascar hissing cockroaches, walking sticks and tarantulas. Visitors are invited to hold the insects and photograph them.
The museum's gift shop, open year around, includes T-shirts, sweatshirts, books, jewelry, posters, insect-collecting equipment and insect-themed candy.The Bohart Museum's regular hours are from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. The museum is closed to the public on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and on major holidays. Admission is free.
For more information contact the Bohart Museum at (530) 752-0493 or bmuseum@ucdavis.edu
- Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey
The event, free and open to the public, takes place in the Bohart Museum, located in Room 1124 of the Academic Surge Building on Crocker Lane, UC Davis campus.
NAFEA is meeting for a conference at UC Davis July 7-12 and the Bohart open house will be part of its outreach activities. The scientists will field questions throughout the event.
"We'll have scientists from across the country here at this family friendly event,” said Tabatha Yang, the Bohart Museum's education and outreach coordinator. Family arts and crafts activities are featured at each open house. A popular activity planned for the July 9th open house is maggot art, in which maggots are dipped into non-toxic, water-based paint and placed on a “canvas” (paper) to crawl around and create a painting. The activity, coined by entomologist Rebecca O'Flaherty, a former graduate student at UC Davis, is a traditional part of the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology's Briggs Hall offerings at the campuswide UC Davis Picnic Day.
Forensic entomologist Robert Kimsey of the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology served as president of the organization in 2015. Current president is Jason Byrd of the Department Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine
University of Florida College of Medicine. The goal of NAFEA is to promote the development of forensic entomology throughout North America and to encourage co-operation with other similar international bodies. NAFEA defines its mission as “to provide a cooperative arena for forensic entomologists to interact and collaborate in ways that enhance the science, moral and ethical foundation, and reputation of forensic entomology.”
The July 9th open house is one of three open houses scheduled this summer. The others are:
Saturday, July 22, Moth Night from 8 to 11 p.m.: Moth Night, held in conjunction with National Moth Week, will enable visitors to explore nighttime nature through a blacklighting setup, enabling the collection of moths and other insects. The event takes place in the courtyard in back of the Bohart Museum. The museum will be open throughout Moth Night.
Sunday, Aug. 27: Bark Beetles and Trees, Forest Health in California, from 1 to 4 p.m.: The event is in collaboration with Steve Seybold, USDA Forest Service entomologist and an associate of the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology. He and his students and staff will be there to show displays and answer questions.
The Bohart Museum, directed by Lynn Kimsey, professor of entomology at UC Davis, houses a global collection of nearly eight million specimens. It is also the home of the seventh largest insect collection in North America, and the California Insect Survey, a storehouse of the insect biodiversity. Noted entomologist Richard M. Bohart (1913-2007) founded the museum.
Special attractions include a “live” petting zoo, featuring Madagascar hissing cockroaches, walking sticks and tarantulas. Visitors are invited to hold the insects and photograph them.
The museum's gift shop, open year around, includes T-shirts, sweatshirts, books, jewelry, posters, insect-collecting equipment and insect-themed candy.
The Bohart Museum's regular hours are from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. The museum is closed to the public on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and on major holidays. Admission is free.
More information on the Bohart Museum is available by contacting (530) 752-0493 or email bmuseum@ucdavis.edu.
Traffic: Note that Old Davis Road that goes past the Visitors' Information Center will be closed due to construction of a paving project (https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/paving-project-close-old-davis-road/)/. Visitors should enter the campus via Highway 113 and take the Hutchison exit. The parking lot closest to the Bohart Museum is Lot 46.
- Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey
He received the honor at the annual Excellence in Education Awards, sponsored by the Associated Students of UC Davis and coordinated by the Academic Affairs Commission.
“To prepare for this event, we ask students from each college to nominate teachers they feel are excellent,” said Rahul Sachdev, a commissioner with the Academic Affairs Commission. “After receiving hundreds of nominations from each college, we select three finalists from each college to interview. After interviewing those finalists, we then select an overall winner for each college. For the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, the overall winner was Dr. Kimsey.”
Kimsey received a plaque and a certificate signed by Desirae Costello, chair of the Academic Affairs Commission, and Dana Server, vice chair.
“From an early age, Professor Robert Kimsey was interested in the world of bugs and biology,” said Sachdev in presenting the award. “This early passion led Professor Kimsey to pursue a career in entomology. Currently, Professor Kimsey is not only a practicing entomologist but also a teacher. As a teacher, Professor Kimsey has taught numerous classes and has motivated and inspired a countless number of students.”
“A common sentiment expressed by those lucky enough to have taken Professor Kimsey was that Professor Kimsey goes above and beyond what is required of a teacher. For instance, Professor Kimsey frequently allows students to accompany him in the field where students are given the opportunity to apply the principles learned in class to a real-life situation.”
Sachdev also said that Kimsey “has not limited his role in the department of entomology to that of a teacher.” He serves as an advisor to graduate and undergraduate students and helps organize the department’s Picnic Day during the campuswide Picnic Day celebration.
“In turn, Dr. Kimsey’s contributions toward the department and the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences are significant to say the least,” Sachdev pointed out, adding that his “enthusiasm toward the subject matter, along with the dedication toward his students strengthens his reputation as an excellent professor.”
Said student Karina Snapp, following the awards presentation: "I would like to say that I am a rather shy student and did not see any of my professors outside of lecture until I met Dr. Kimsey. He is very welcoming and friendly. He really helped me come out of my shell and realize what I was capable of. He is exceptionally passionate about his field, and makes it easy and fun to learn from him. He will always be my favorite professor at UC Davis."
Student Andrew Magee offered: "Dr. Kimsey has been a source of inspiration and guidance for me since I began my undergraduate career. His command of his subject matter is impressive to the point that it's intimidating. He knows his stuff and he knows how to explain it. But more important than Dr. Kimsey's ability to teach science is that he knows how to teach people how to use scientific methods to produce knowledge. He teaches us that research is accessible, and for that lesson I will always be grateful. Dr. Kimsey is a professor who really cares for his students: I know I can rely on him for help, and for good, honest advice. I can't count the number of times he's offered to help students, anything from talking about assignments to helping them get research positions. He shaped my aspirations by opening my eyes to what he thought I was capable of, which is so much more than I thought of myself. My time at UC Davis would not have been the same, and would have been a much poorer experience, were it not for Professor Kimsey."
Kimsey, who received both his bachelor's degree and doctoral degree in entomology from UC Davis, coordinates and serves as the master advisor of the animal biology major at UC Davis, which includes some 400 students.
Kimsey's research interests include public health entomology; arthropods of medical importance; zoonotic disease; biology and ecology of tick-borne pathogens; tick feeding behavior and biochemistry. His research includes the nuisance flies on Alcatraz Island that plaque staff and tourists. A former guard at the penitentiary nicknamed him “The Fly Man of Alcatraz,” during the 2007 Alcatraz Reunion.
Student Danielle Wishon, who works in his lab praised Kimsey as teaching with "contagious enthusiasm."
"I first met Bob five years ago when I joined the Entomology Club," Wishon said. "His enthusiasm for all biological disciplines and his personal interest in the success of all of his students made me quickly realize him to be an ideal mentor. During the time that I’ve been a part of his laboratory, I have gained lab and field training as well as have had the rare and special opportunity to gain hands on experience as a forensic entomologist, by accompanying him to multiple coroner’s office trips."
"Bob has used his connections with the National Park Service to help myself and a number of other students get field experience," Wishon said. "Most recently, several students from the Entomology Club were able to conduct a survey of the entirety of Alcatraz Island for beetle infestation and damage. This has already led to one student, now an alumnus, being qualified as a stored product pest consultant. An additional job on Alcatraz, a rat infestation survey, led to the discovery of fluorescing millipedes in a genus previously not known to fluoresce. The undergrad student that made the discovery is now conducting additional research and is looking to publish his work in the next year. I have personally been conducting research with Bob on the cormorant fly, a fly pest on Alcatraz, for the last couple of years."
Other student comments:
From Danielle George: “Professor Kimsey wasn't just my major adviser, he was a life mentor to me. Every time I would walk into his office with one question, I would find myself talking to him for an hour about anything. He was my professor and is now my friend.”
Mayllynne Lopez: “Dr. Kimsey is not only a brilliant professor, but an extraordinary advisor as well. He has given me advice that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.”
Edy Campos: “I would like to say that Professor Kimsey is one of the best professors I have had here on campus and I am happy that he received this award. I really believe that he takes a lot of time and effort to be a great professor which is shown through his great lectures. One thing that I believe that sets him apart from other professors is that although he is busy he makes time to get to know his students and that he really puts a lot of effort to try to help his students whether its with classes, finding a mentor or figuring out career paths when one seems to be lost at what to do. I am glad that I have had the chance to be in a lot of classes and work with him and get great advice that I will take with me even after I graduate.”
Hannah Greenspan: “Dr. Kimsey has been one of the most helpful professors I dealt with in my 4 years at UC Davis. I took animal biology classes with him and he is also my mentor for my senior practicum. It is always helpful and fun to go meet with him. I could not have been happier with Dr. Kimsey during my time at Davis. I agree that he is an outstanding educator!”
Other winners of the 2013 Excellence in Education awards:
College of Engineering: Sean Davis
College of Biological Science: Lauren Liets
College of Letters and Science, Division of Math and Physical Sci: Eli Goldwyn
College of Letters and Science, Division of Social Sciences: Cara Chiaraluce
College of Letters and Science, Division of Humanities, Arts and Cultural Studies: Martin Weis
Educator of the year: Sean Davis
Related Links:
Fly Man of Alcatraz