THE WHITEMAN LABORATORY
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  • "Monarch Fly"

Erika R. LaPlante
Research Assistant and Lab Manager

University of California, Berkeley
Department of Integrative Biology
3040 Valley Life Sciences Building, MC3140
Berkeley, California
94720

Office: 4095 VLSB
Email: elaplante [at] berkeley [dot] edu

Picture
Erika at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory (RMBL), conducting undergraduate research (2014).

Research

I am conducting controlled Arabidopsis plant and Drosophila fly interaction experiments. I have compared development time of Scaptomyza flava fly larvae feeding on Arabidopsis thaliana mutants that differed only in the presence or absence of genes for synthesis of glucosinolates, a major defense chemical in mustards. I have also conducted choice test experiments of S. flava on these A. thaliana mutants to determine preference of glucosinolates and camalexins present in these different mutants. These experiments are conducted to determine the identification of plant genes involved in resistance to the herbivorous insect, S. flava. I have been working on this research for three years with Ph.D. Candidate, Andy Gloss.

Coinciding with this research I have been maintaining a large population of Cardamine cordifolia, from select regions around the United States, for glucosinolate profiling. This research will identify the specific glucosinolates present in the different regions of the U.S. where each original plant was collected. We are looking at the coevolution of specialized Scaptomyza flava flies on these plants from the different regions. I have also been working on this research for three years with Ph.D. Candidate, Andy Gloss.

Additionally, I am conducting research with Postdoctoral Researcher, Dr. Simon 'Niels' Groen, using the CAFE assay to asses the effects of cardenolides on Drosophila performance.


Background

I recently graduated with a B.E.S. in Soil, Water and Environmental Science with a focus in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Arizona. Currently, I am employed as a Research Assistant and Lab Manager for the Whiteman Lab.

Research areas of interest include plant defenses against herbivory, community ecology, evolutionary biology, and tropical ecology. My current research is giving me the knowledge and research skills to further my research interests in plant toxins and the ramifications of their production in a community scale ecological context, potentially looking at co evolution of specialized herbivores. My ultimate goal is to conduct field community ecology research looking at climate change and plant migration in the Amazon Rainforest.

Personal hobbies include photographing nature, writing and reading fantasy/science fiction novels, hiking, rock climbing, trail running, painting, and ballroom dancing.


Honors and Awards

Graduated with Highest Honors from the Arizona Blue Chip Program, 2014.

Granted Undergraduate Research Position at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory (RMBL) working with Dr. Lara Souza from the University of Oklahoma, 2014.

Assistant Theme Coordinator for the Arizona Blue Chip Program
Years in Position: 2013 to 2014
Duties: Advised the Programming Team and mentored Programming Team Interns. Programmed and hosted the following events: Eco Interphases, Family Weekend BBQ, Etiquette Dinner, Case Study Competition, Meet-Ups, Socials. Collaborated with Case Study Competition partners the Sky Island Alliance.

Green Fund Grant
Awarded: 2012 and 2013
Position: Extern for the Tucson Village Farm at the Pima County Cooperative Extension Office at the University of Arizona Campus Agriculture Center.

Duties: Gained organic farming knowledge and experience. Taught educational lessons to youth and adults about organic farming practices and health benefits. Managed large-scale events like U-Pick, Farm Camp, Green Birthday Parties, and Growing Forward.

Soil, Water and Environmental Science (SWES) President
Years in Office: 2012 to 2013
Duties: Coordinated large-scale volunteer service events like the Kumataka Mine Restoration Project and Buffel Grass Pulls. Worked with SWES faculty, community partners, club officers, and students to build relations.

Dean’s List at the University of Arizona, 2010 to 2011.


The Whiteman Lab | Integrative Biology | University of California | Berkeley, CA 94720

Photographs are copyright protected by Noah Whiteman, Whiteman lab members, or were obtained through Creative Commons licenses.
  • Home
  • Group Members
    • Principal Investigator, Dr. Noah Whiteman
    • Research Specialist Susan Bernstein
    • Postdoctoral Researchers and Research Associates >
      • Dr. Samridhi Chaturvedi
      • Dr. Moe Bakhtiari
      • Dr. Benjamin Goldman-Huertas
      • Dr. Carolina Reisenman
    • Graduate Students >
      • Jessica Aguilar
      • Nicolas Alexandre
      • Diler Haji
      • Julianne Pelaez
      • Hiromu Suzuki
      • Rebecca Tarnopol
      • Kirsten Isabel Verster
    • Undergraduate Students >
      • Saron Akalu
      • Jaden Ha
      • Selah-Marie Grogan
      • Gillian Oaks
      • Ashleigh Takemoto
      • Jossie Tamsil
    • Former members >
      • Eric Rogers
      • Ted Chor
      • Dr. Teruyuki Matsanaga
      • Anna Pham
      • Anna Leipertz
      • Michael Astourian
      • Ashley Bendl
      • Elizabeth Ordeman
      • Bridget Cheng
      • Irene Liang
      • Gillian Montross
      • Esteban Rodas
      • Giovani Pimentel-Solorio
      • Faye Romero
      • Marissa Sandoval
      • Shivani Sundaram
      • Kannagi Yashroy
      • Derrick Yip
      • Haarini Sridhar
      • Sneha Agrawal
      • Dr. Marianna Karageorgi
      • Kevin Miao
      • Dr. Rebecca Duncan
      • Kelly D'Ambrogia
      • Jiarui Wang
      • Tim O'Connor
      • Judith Okoro
      • William Farley
      • Dr. Cathy Rushworth
      • Andy Gloss
      • Alana Augur
      • Hoon Pyon
      • Julianne Ray
      • Dr. Simon "Niels" Groen
      • Dr. David Hembry (PERT Postdoctoral Fellow)
      • Dr. Jennifer Koop (PERT Postdoctoral Fellow)
      • Dr. Anna Nelson Dittrich (PERT Postdoctoral Fellow)
      • Dr. Rick Lapoint (PERT Postdoctoral Fellow)
      • Dr. Paul Nabity (USDA-NIFA Postdoctoral Fellow)
      • Christina Meyer
      • Parris Humphrey
      • Lea Flechon
      • Research Specialist, Tim Rast
      • Amir Abidov
      • Allan Castillo
      • Matt Cravens
      • Mitchell Feldmann
      • Jason Giles
      • Lauren Johnston
      • Noel Kitchen
      • Erika LaPlante
      • Matthew J. Velasquez
    • Internal page >
      • Protocols
      • Recommended Reading
  • Research
  • Publications
  • DEI
    • #leadership
    • #participation
    • #recruitment
    • #belonging
    • #accountability
  • Join
  • Contact
  • "Monarch Fly"