M. Fran Keller

Curriculum Vitae

mfkeller@ucdavis.edu

Department of Entomology

Bohart Museum of Entomology

University of California, Davis

One Shields Avenue

Davis, CA  95616

530-752-9464

www.tenebrionid.net

http://bohart.ucdavis.edu/

 

EDUCATION SUMMARY:

Graduate School:

University of California at Davis, Entomology Department, Ph.D.

Expected Graduation: June 2009

Major Advisor: Lynn Kimsey

Emphasis: Systematics and Taxonomy of Stenomorpha Solier 1836 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

Undergraduate Education:

University of California at Davis: B.S. Evolution and Ecology, June 2004

Emphasis: Plant Ecology and Entomology

Academic Advisor: Dr. Thomas Schoener

Research and Project Advisor: Dr. David Spiller

 

Sacramento City College: A.S. Degrees, Biology and Chemistry, May 2001, Highest Honors

Emphasis: Biology, Chemistry and Communication

 

RESEARCH:

University of California, Davis

2003 –Present: Effect of Isolation on Germination and Predation in Island Populations of Borrichia arborescens: Great Exuma, Bahamas, Bahamian collection permits, USDA plant importation permit; greenhouse pollination and germination experiments (publication submission following 2007 field season)

2004-Present: Feeding niche of Pitnus huesanus Fisher (publication submission with Dr. Keith Philips,2007)

2004-Present: Therapeutic effects of Borrichia arborescens

2004 -2010: Revision of Stenomorpha Solier 1836 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

 

TALKS PRESENTED:

-ÒEffect of Isolation and Predation in Island Populations of Borrichia arborescensÓ, April 2004, University of California at Davis, Undergraduate Research Conference.

-ÒInsect Sex and Mating SystemsÓ, October 2004, University of California at Davis, Entomology Department, Freshmen Seminar Lecture

-ÒInsect Ecology on Bahamian Islands and a Potential Cancer CureÓ, March 2005, Pacific Branch of the Entomological Society of America, Exploring the Depths of Entomology: Graduate Research Across the Pacific Branch; Asilomar Conference Grounds - Pacific Grove, California.

-ÒHonoring the life of E.O. Wilson –Entomologist and MentorÓ- December 2005, The role of mentors in science and their impact on students; National meeting of the Entomological Society of America, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

-Just as elusive as Stenomorpha...wait am I the only woman working on Tenebrionids?- December 2006, Darklings into Light...celebrating Tenebrionid diversity; National Meeting of the Entomological Society of America, Indianapolis, Indiana (Organizers: Fran Keller-UC Davis and Ian Foley-Montana State University.)

-Richard M. Bohart.... One hundred years of Entomologists in the Pacific Northwest; Pacific Branch Entomological Society of America, March 2007.

 

RECOGNITION AND AWARDS:

 

University of California, Davis:

-Interview with Dr. E.O. Wilson, Harvard University, May 19-20, 2005

-DBS (Division of Biological Sciences) Commencement Speaker, June 2004

-DBS Departmental Citation for Outstanding Achievement in Academics and Research in Evolution and Ecology, Spring 2004

-Outstanding Senior 2004

-Undergraduate Research Conference, Oral Presentation, April 2004

-PresidentÕs Undergraduate Fellowship, Spring 2003

-DeanÕs Honor List, Agriculture and Environmental Science, Fall 2002

-Member Phi Sigma Honors Society

 

Sacramento City College (SCC):

-Association of Women in Science Scholarship recipient (AWIS), National Organization, Local Sacramento Valley Chapter May 2002

-National Talent Roster Student Guest Speaker May 2002

-MESA Industry Scholarship recipient (Jones & Stokes Environmental Consulting) May 2002

-Los Rios Community College District Academic Achievement Award May 2002

-Emeriti Affiliates Scholarship in Teaching recipient, May 2002

-Outstanding Woman Student Award-SCC, March 2002

-Outstanding Woman Student Award-SCC,Gold Award May 2001

-College Board – National Talent Roster  2001-2002

-SCC Commencement Speaker May 2001

-A.S. Degree, Chemistry, Highest honors, May 2001

-A.S. Degree, Biology, Highest honors, May 2001

-Dr. Joseph Dowdell Memorial Scholarship recipient (Botany/Chemistry) May 2001

-Emeriti Affiliates Scholarship in Teaching recipient May 2001

-SCC PresidentÕs Highest Honors, Academic Excellence (1998-2002)

-Member of Phi Theta Kappa Honors Fraternity

-MESA (Math, Engineering and Science Achievement Program) Scholar recipient 1999-2002

-Outstanding Woman Student Award-SCC,Silver Award May 2000

 

Other Awards:

-California GovernorÕs Opportunity Scholarship for Women recipient, Science and Technology October 2001

-Yolo County Board of Supervisors Resolution of Achievement, District 4 December 2001 (Resolution No. 00-223)

 

Grants and Scholarships Received:

-CA GovernorÕs Opportunity Scholarship for Women, Science and Technology, October 2001: $5,000.00.

-MESA Industry Scholarship, May 2002:                                                                               $1,000.00.

-PresidentÕs Undergraduate Fellowship Grant, UCD Research Grant, April 2003:                    $2,000.00.

-California Desert Research Grant, The Community Foundation, March 2005:                                  $3,995.00.

-California Desert Research Grant, The Community Foundation, February 2006 $1861.00.

-California Desert Research Grant, The Community Foundation, November 2006 $1262.00.

-UC Davis, Department of Entomology Travel Grant, May 2005:                                                      $500.00.

-Henry A. Jastro and Peter J. Shields Research Grant, June 2005:                                                         $600.00.

-Henry A. Jastro and Peter J. Shields Research Grant, July 2006: $715.00.

 

 

Field and Laboratory Experience:

-Operator experience with the following instruments/technique:

            -Agilent GC6850/ Chemstation Software

            -Nicolet Avatar FTIR

            -Polarimeter

            -Spectrophotometer

            -DNA extraction, isolation, PCR amplification and purification

- Field Experience, Field Classes:

-Acorn collection for restoration -volunteer, American River Conservancy, Coloma, CA September 2000

-Ringtail trapping volunteer, ongoing research project, Sutter Buttes, CA April 2001

-Field Entomology, various Northern California locations, March-June 2002

-Natural History Field Study-Field Entomology Mojave Desert, CA, June 2001 and June 2002

-Conservation and Ecology of California Bats Field Class, August 2001

-Restoration monitoring volunteer, Cosumnes River Preserve, Valley Oaks, August 2001

-Field Entomology Southeast Arizona, August 2001 and August 2002

-Field Entomology Survey Andros, Bahamas, January 2002

-Experimental Field Ecology Course, EVE 180A & EVE 180B, Winter and Spring 2003

            -Field Entomology, California, ENT 107 Spring 2003

-Plant Ecology/Pollination and Entomological Research, Great Exuma, Bahamas, August 2003 and August 2004, Undergraduate Research

- Insect Taxonomy Field Course, Summer 2004, ENT 109 UC Sagehen Reserve

-Feeding niche of Pitnus huesanus Fisher (Coleoptera: Anobiidae), Great Exuma, Bahamas, August 2005

-Plant Ecology/Pollination and Entomological Research, Great Exuma, Bahamas, August 2006, 2007