A non-destructive, fast, inexpensive, non-toxic chelating resin-based DNA extraction protocol for insect voucher specimens and associated microbiomes
Brown et al. (2026). Journal of Insect Science, 10.1093/jisesa/ieaf062
Curriculum Vitae
Short CV
Education
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- Ph.D in Biology, University of Neuchâtel (Switzerland), 2016
- M.S. in Environmental Science, University of Pisa, 2003
Professional Experiences
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- Spring 2022-Present: Assistant Research Scientist, Vector Ecologist
- Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Duties includes: PI of NSF project
- 2018-2022: Postdoctoral Fellow
- Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Duties included: coordinating, performing and analysing data SWG project
- Supervisor: Brenda-Molano Flores and Chris Dietrich
- Fall 2022: Visiting Instructor, Biological Sciences
- Purdue University Northwest, Hammond
- Duties included: Teaching
Skills
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- Biological and Molecular Skills
- Broad expertise in entomology, with specialization in Auchenorrhyncha taxonomy and identification
- Insect collection, rearing, and experimental design
- DNA isolation, PCR amplification, sequencing, and molecular diagnostics
- Phytoplasma detection and strain characterization
- Protein extraction, quantification, and protein–protein interaction assays (e.g., Western blotting)
- Phylogenetic reconstruction and evolutionary analyses
- Computational and Quantitative Skills
- Programming: Python, Bash/Shell scripting, R
- Bioinformatics workflows: sequence processing, alignment, phylogenetics
- Meta-analysis and systematic review methodologies
- Statistical modeling (GLMs, GLMMs, GAMs)
- GIS analysis (QGIS)
- Scientific data visualization and figure preparation (Adobe Photoshop, Paint.NET)
- Research and Professional Skills
- Grant writing and proposal development
- Project management and coordination of interdisciplinary collaborations
- Graduate and undergraduate student supervision and mentoring
- Scientific writing and peer-reviewed publication
- Conference organization and scientific committee participation
- Science communication and outreach
Selected Publications
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Vegetation mediates the effect of management and habitat on Auchenorrhyncha species richness, but not community quality, in restored grasslands
Trivellone et al. (2026). Journal for Nature Conservation, 127231