Elena gratton
Entomology Graduate Program, coadvised with Heather Hines
EDUCATION
2020 - BS in Conservation Biology, minor in Entomology, Colorado State University
RESEARCH INTERESTS
I am a Master’s student co-advised by Dr. Christina Grozinger and Dr. Heather Hines. I graduated from Colorado State University with a major in Conservation Biology and a minor in Entomology. My undergraduate projects focused on improving acoustic ecology methods, looking at ectoparasite communities on Namibian bats, and developing science communication pieces.
My current projects focus on bumble bees and landscapes. Specifically, how landscapes influence bumble bee distributions and bumble bee pathogen loads. So far, most of my research takes place in central Pennsylvania and across North Carolina. Additionally, I am looking at how to easily separate three bumble bees species that make up a common mimicry complex that occurs here in central Pennsylvania. I am very passionate about science communication and hope to help develop accessible field guides for the local bumble bee species in both Pennsylvania and North Carolina. When I am not chasing bumble bees I am usually cooking, hiking, or spending time with my dog, Toast.