People | Trowbridge Lab at the University of Wisconsin-Madison

Dr. Amy Trowbridge

Assistant Professor

I am a broadly trained chemical ecologist interested in how climate impacts tree defense strategies and the consequences for insect population dynamics. I couple field and laboratory studies to understand plant and insect metabolic responses to various environmental stresses.

I am currently an Assistant Professor in the Entomology Department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Prior to accepting a tenure-track position, I was awarded an NSF postdoctoral research fellowship to work with Richard Phillips at Indiana University and Joerg-Peter Schnitzler at the Helmholtz Zentrum in Munchen, Germany. I completed my Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Colorado with Russ Monson and Deane Bowers.

Postdoctoral Researchers

Dr. Celso Ricardo de Oliveira Júnior

Postdoctoral Researcher

B.S. Chemistry, University of São Paulo, 2014

PhD Chemistry, University of Nevada-Reno, 2021

Celso's passion for phytochemistry started during his undergrad at the University of São Paulo, inspired by the overwhelming plant diversity of the Atlantic Rainforest. He later obtained his PhD in chemistry at the University of Nevada-Reno under the mentorship of Chris Jeffrey and Lora Richards. Celso is interested in applying NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) to study the plant metabolome and to investigate the causes and effects of phytochemical diversity in the context of plant-insect-environment interactions. When he is not analyzing NMR spectra, Celso likes to be outdoors biking, hiking and camping, or to take care of his many houseplants (over 100 now!). He is also a soccer aficionado (despite being a lousy player) and his favorite team is S.C. Corinthians Paulista.

Dr. Michael Howe

Postdoctoral Researcher

B.A. Biology, Gustavus Adolphus College 2014

M.S. Entomology, UW-Madison 2017

M.S. Biometry, UW-Madison 2020

PhD Entomology, UW-Madison 2020

Mike works on the cross-scalar dynamics of irruptive forest insects. His work integrates plant-insect interactions, population dynamics, and landscape modeling to better understand when and where forest insect outbreaks occur. Currently he is exploring whether western spruce budworm and Douglas-fir beetle interactions are mediated by tree defensive chemistry and non-structural carbohydrate safety margins. Outside of the lab, Mike spends most of his time mountain biking, cross-country skiing, playing soccer, or running.

Graduate Students

Angela Waupochick

Ph.D. Student

Angela has worked in seasonal wildland fire and water resources technician appointments, leading to a management position in her tribal community focused on wetland restoration and enhancement projects and water resources program development. She is working within her own tribal communities, the Menominee and Stockbridge-Munsee Communities of northern Wisconsin to understand the impacts of EAB-induced black ash mortality on hydrological processes.

Maggie Marshall

M.S. Student

B.S. Environmental Science and Spanish, University of Wisconsin, 2021

Maggie is a recent graduate of the University of Wisconsin and is excited to continue her studies in the Trowbridge Lab. Her research focuses on genotypic variations in carbon allocation strategies amongst a group of quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) following an outbreak of Lymantria dispar. Outside of the lab, Maggie enjoys running, hiking, gardening, paddle-boarding, and trying to keep her cat, Matilda (Tilly), entertained.

Research Staff

Michael Friedman

Research Specialist

B.S. Environmental Studies and Biology, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, 2017

M.S. Biological Sciences, Wright State University, 2020

Mike works to coordinate and carry out major projects seeking to understand carbon allocation to secondary defenses in trees subjected to biotic and abiotic stressors. Specifically, he works with Populus tremuloides subjected to defoliation by the invasive Lymantria dispar and Pinus edulis subjected to severe drought and attack by Ips confusus. Mike’s background is broadly centered in forest ecology and tree biology, with a focus on chemical defense theory, ecological invasion, and entomology. In addition to these projects, Mike also helps manage lab inventory, establish new protocols, and train students in the lab and field. Outside of work, he enjoys cooking international foods, hiking, studying historic architecture, and spending time with his cat, Ophelia.

Undergraduate Students

Melissa Langkilde

Undergraduate Research Assistant

B.S. Student, Biology with a Certificate in Environmental Studies

Melissa is an undergraduate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison interested in chemistry and plant physiology. She is currently researching carbon allocation in the root tissue of pinyon pines (Pinus edulis) under drought stress. Outside of the lab, Melissa enjoys crochet, swimming, hiking, and walking her dogs Luka and Coolidge.

Shealyn Malone

Ph.D. Student

B.A. Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado at Boulder

M.A. in Science Curriculum and Development, University of Colorado at Boulder

M.S. Land Resources & Environmental Sciences, Montana State University

Shealyn’s research interests are in understanding the biotic and abiotic factors that influence the synthesis of secondary metabolites in conifers. She is particularly interested in how drought alters the allocation of carbon toward foliar and volatile terpenoid metabolites, and the subsequent ecological implications for trees and their forest pests. Shealyn completed her Master’s research at Montana State University where she explored the role of soil legacy effects on plant volatile emissions. Prior, Shealyn taught high school science for eight lively years, and her zeal for teaching and learning lives on. Shealyn enjoys hiking, skiing, and cooking, especially in the company of her partner, Justin, and their favorite four-legged friend, Beau.

Sophie and Edie

Sometimes these girls trade in their white dresses for lab coats and pretend to be their parents. This includes using words like "colleagues", "graduate students", and "grant proposal" in sentences and pretending to write "manuscripts" on the computer.

YOUR NAME HERE?

We are always looking for enthusiastic and motivated students interested in chemical ecology! For undergraduate, graduate, and postdoc opportunities, please see the Opportunities page.

LAB ALUMNI

Niko Schmidt - Undergraduate
Jack Heneghan - Undergraduate (USP awardee), currently a post-baccalaureate researcher at Los Alamos National Laboratory
Austin Simonpietri - Undergraduate (IoE Fellow and USP awardee)
Lila Hamburg - Undergraduate (USP awardee)
Cullen Cunningham - Undergraduate (USP awardee)
Betsy French - Undergraduate (USP awardee)
Katherine McCahan - Undergraduate (USP awardee)
Corinne Moss - Undergraduate
Toby Leppicello - Undergraduate