
The Team
Matthew Berry
Research Associate
Rodrigo Diaz
Associate Professor
Fatima Nguyen
Student Worker
Matthew received his Bachelor of Science from LSU in Biological Sciences with a marine science concentration. He oversees the organization and completion of surveys and collections of Phragmites in the Mississippi River Delta and in the surrounding areas of southeast Louisiana. This is accomplished in order to better determine the health of the Phragmites as well as the abundance of roseau cane scale insects.
Rodrigo leads the research program on biological control and invasive species.
Fatima runs thermal ecology studies of Mexican rice borer (Eoreuma loftini), and assists with field and laboratory experiments.
Emily Passman
Student Worker
Emily assists with sample processing including aquatic macroinvertebrates, salvinia weevils and roseau cane scale.
Keyla Pruett
Student Worker
Keyla works with parasitoids of the roseau cane scale (Nipponaclerda biwakoensis), and assist with field and laboratory experiments.
Korey Pham
Research Associate
Korey has broad interests on conservation ecology in managed and natural systems. In partnership with the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act (CWPPRA) and LSU AgCenter, Korey is responsible for managing the giant salvinia weevil mass-rearing operation and monitoring giant salvinia infestations across Southern Louisiana.
Charlie Wahl
Research Associate
Charlie is responsible for the mass rearing of salvinia weevils in open-earthen ponds. In addition, he conducts research on the impact of giant salvinia on coastal freshwater wetlands.
Carlos Wiggins
Graduate Student
Carlos studies the insect herbivores associated with Conyza spp. (Asteraceae) in the Southeastern United States.
Lab Alumni
Leslie Aviles, MsC
Leslie studied the host range of the roseau cane scale and host plant resistance.
Leslie Aviles, MsC
Leslie studied the host range of the roseau cane scale and host plant resistance.
Leslie Aviles, MsC
Leslie studied the host range of the roseau cane scale and host plant resistance.
Leslie Aviles, MsC
Leslie studied the host range of the roseau cane scale and host plant resistance.
Salvinia weevil rearing operation in St. Gabriel, LA. Collection of plant and water quality parameters.
Rodrigo Diaz
Associate Professor
Rodrigo leads the research program on biological control and invasive species.
Fatima Nguyen
Student Worker
Fatima runs thermal ecology studies of Mexican rice borer (Eoreuma loftini), and assists with field and laboratory experiments.
Emily Passman
Student Worker
Emily assists with sample processing including aquatic macroinvertebrates, salvinia weevils and roseau cane scale.
Keyla Pruett
Student Worker
Keyla works with parasitoids of the roseau cane scale (Nipponaclerda biwakoensis), and assist with field and laboratory experiments.
Korey Pham
Research Associate
Charlie Wahl
Research Associate
Korey has broad interests on conservation ecology in managed and natural systems. In partnership with the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act (CWPPRA) and LSU AgCenter, Korey is responsible for managing the giant salvinia weevil mass-rearing operation and monitoring giant salvinia infestations across Southern Louisiana.
Carlos Wiggins
Graduate Student
Carlos studies the insect herbivores associated with Conyza spp. (Asteraceae) in the Southeastern United States.
Lab Alumni
Leslie Aviles, MsC
Leslie studied the host range of the roseau cane scale and host plant resistance.
Leslie studied the host range of the roseau cane scale and host plant resistance.
Leslie studied the host range of the roseau cane scale and host plant resistance.
Rodrigo Diaz
Associate Professor
Rodrigo leads the research program on biological control and invasive species.

Dane Shackelford
Research Associate

Dane leads the mass rearing and monitoring of salvinia weevils. Dane has a bachelor's degree in Natural Resource Ecology and Management with a concentration in conservation biology.
Logan Herbert
Research Associate

Logan is completing his Masters degree in Biology from Eastern Illinois University, where he is looking at insect community dynamics in hazelnut agroecosystems. He oversees the organization and completion of surveys and collections of Phragmites in the Mississippi River Delta and in the surrounding areas of southeast Louisiana. This is accomplished in order to better determine the health of the Phragmites as well as the abundance of roseau cane scale insects.
Josh Snook
Research Associate

Josh completed his Master’s of Science degree in Entomology at Michigan State University in 2020 where he identified the effects of heat waves on the interaction and development of potato plants, early blight, and the Colorado potato beetle. Josh will be studying the invasive Roseau cane scale and its role in the Phragmites “Roseau cane” die-off in the Mississippi River Delta.
Tanner Sparks
PhD Student

Tanner studies the parasitoids of the roseau cane scale (Nipponaclerda biwakoensis) present in Louisiana. The three species, Astymachus lasallei, Neastymachus japonicus, and Boucekiella depressa, are potential biocontrol agents of the scale. Tanner received his master’s degree from the University of Georgia in 2020 studying insecticide resistance in sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci.
Rylea Norton
Student Worker
Rylea helps with the mass rearing of salvinia weevil in the greenhouse, and monitoring of experiments related to aquatic weeds.

Morgan Carrere
Student Worker

Morgan assists with the Phragmites die-back program, specifically with field surveys of roseau cane scales, evaluation of restoration plots, and mesocosm experiments.
Victoria Ayala
Visiting Scholar

Victoria got her bachelor's degree from Zamorano University in Honduras. Victoria will be assisting with the projects on Phragmites die-back, and biological control of giant salvinia.
Brandi Misiaszek
MSc Student

Brandi got her bachelor's degree from University of Rhode Island. Brandi will be studying the impact of herbivores and pathogens of privet (Ligustrum sinense) in Louisiana.
Karina Nolasco
Visiting Scholar
