Dr. Carrie Deans, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), specialized in a Ph.D. on entomology and ecology. Her extensive research background and expertise focus on nutritional ecology, agricultural pest control, and an interest in the complex life cycle of cicadas.
Dr. Carrie Deans, an Assistant Professor Department of Biological Sciences
Her research has focused on nutritional ecology, particularly in agricultural pests such as cotton bollworms, spotted wing drosophila, and Japanese beetles. Her doctoral work delved into the impact of diet on susceptibility to Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis), a toxin used in transgenic crops like cotton, corn, and soybeans. This expertise has significantly contributed to our understanding of insect dynamics and the development of sustainable pest management strategies.
Dr. Deans explains that in the emergence of cicada brood 13 and brood 19, which include individuals from only seven out of over a hundred cicada species in North America that display this unique 13 or 17-year periodic life cycle. Geographically, she adds, brood 13 has a wide distribution, while brood 19 is expected to emerge in northern regions like Iowa, Wisconsin, and Illinois. "But unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, depending on how you feel about having millions of insects everywhere all at once, you know, we're not going to really see that here in Huntsville," she says.
"Contrary to misconceptions, cicadas are not pests," Dr. Deans says. As adults, they do not feed, and their gradual development is linked to a diet of low-nutrient plant xylem, the plant tissue responsible for water transport. This occurs during their nymphal stage, where they extract water from roots. The distinctive buzzing sounds emitted by male cicadas function as a mating call. This behavior makes them conspicuous and likely led to the evolution of synchronized emergence to overwhelm predators.
While not harmful, the presence of cicadas can be a hassle due to their loud sounds and aggregation in yards. Dr. Deans encouraged people to appreciate the phenomenon of cicada emergence.
Going beyond her proficiency in entomology, Dr. Carrie Deans addresses crucial gaps in statistical education for biologists through her instruction in a biostatistics course. As she establishes her research lab, Dr. Deans enthusiastically embraces the prospect of interdisciplinary methodologies, blending biology with computer science and mathematics. The College of Science welcomes her as a new faculty member this semester as she continues to inspire curiosity and advance knowledge within the field of biological sciences.
