Education

University of Florida
Entomology and Nematology Department
Gainesville, FL 32611
Ph.D.
May 2005 - Current

Purdue University
Department of Entomology
West Lafayette IN 47907
Master of Science
May 2005

Purdue University
Department of Entomology
West Lafayette IN 47907
Bachelor of Science
August 2002

Work Experience

Purdue University
Department of Entomology
Graduate Research Assistant (Fall 2002- May 2005)
Supervisors: Barry Pittendrigh and Larry Murdock

Masters Thesis Research Topic

• Insecticide Resistance Management: pyramiding of anti-insect genes in transgenic plants. Specifically determining experimentally whether it is more beneficial to pyramid anti-insect genes or release them sequentially.
• Imaging of cowpea weevil larva using a Micro-CAT scan machine to determine the movement and feeding pattern of this internally feeding pest. Gaining new insights into the mechanism of resistance in a resistant cultivar of seed.

USDA APHIS
Gypsy Moth Field Technician (Summer 2002)
Supervisor: Gary Simon

• Monitored gypsy moth movements throughout Indiana using pheromone traps.

Purdue University
Lab Technician (Spring 2001-Summer 2002)
Supervisor: Barry Pittendrigh

• Insect Molecular Genetics Lab
  Drosophila toxicology research

Indiana Department of Natural Resources
Lab Technician (Summer 1999 Volunteer)
Supervisor: Robert Waltz

• Collected and preserved insects
  Organized and made insect collections

Publications and Presentations

Tarver, M.R., R.E. Shade, R.D. Tarver, Y. Liang, G. Krishnamurthi, B.R. Pittendrigh , and L.L. Murdock.  2005.  Use of micro-CAT scans to understand cowpea seed resistance to Callosobruchus maculatus.  Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata.  In press.

Tarver, M. Shade, R.E. Tarver, R.D. Liang, Y. Krishnamurthi, G. Pittendrigh, B.R. Murdock, L.L. A look into Seed Resistance to Cowpea Bruchids, Entomological Society of America North Central Branch Meeting, West Lafayette, Indiana March, 2005. First Place for Outstanding Presentation of Entomological Research in the Student Competition. B.S./M.S. Paper- Sections Ca, F, Fa, and Fb.

Tarver, M. A look into Seed Resistance to Cowpea Bruchids, Ohio Valley Entomological Association Annual Forum. October 2004.

Tarver, M . "A look into Seed Resistance to Cowpea Bruchids", Ohio Valley Entomological Association Annual Forum. October 2004.

Tarver, M . Pittendrigh, B. Furgason, E. Shade, R. Murdock, L. "Let there be light: Behavioral Responses of Cowpea Bruchids (Callosobruchus maculatus) to Different Wavelengths of Light", NCB ESA meeting, Poster Competition, March 2004.

Tarver, M . Pittendrigh, B. Furgason, E. Shade, R. Murdock, L. "Let there be light: Behavioral Responses of Cowpea Bruchids (Callosobruchus maculatus) to Different Wavelengths of Light", Sigma Xi poster competition, Purdue University, February 2004.

Smith, R. Tarver, M . Shade, R. Murdock, L. Pittendrigh, B. "Insecticide Resistance: Can it be Stopped!" Poster for MARC/AIM research program, Purdue University , 2003.

Awards, Honors and Activities

• Finalist for the 2006 Bayer Environmental Science Young Scientist of the Year
• The Larry Larson Graduate Student Award for Leadership in Applied Entomology
• First place Entomological Society of America North Central Branch
  B.S./M.S. Paper - Section Ca, F, Fa, and Fb.
• Robert O. and Norma Y. Williams Pest Control Conference Award
• Indiana Pest Control Association Memorial Scholarship
• William F. Helms Memorial Scholarship
  Nationally recognized scholarship from the USDA APHIS PPQ that provides
• financial aid while pursuing a bachelors degree
• mentoring
• paid work experience during vacation periods
• possible employment upon graduation
• Oser Family Scholarship
• A-Mark Pest Control Scholarship
• J.J. Davis Memorial Scholarship
• Undergraduate Botany Scholarship

Current Member or Past Member of:

• Purdue Graduate Student Government- Senate Member
• Purdue Entomology Graduate Organization
• Entomological Society of America
• Society of Invertebrate Pathology
• Thomas Say Entomological Club- Past President
• Ohio Valley Entomological Association
• MPRINT - Molecular Plant Resistance and Nematode Team

Co-Mentor in the MARC/AIM summer internship program
Students from minority colleges are given the opportunity to perform research at large research universities. Mentor for Renee Smith who worked on insecticide resistance in cowpea weevils.

Actively participating in departmental and community activities:

• Insectaganza
• Bug Bowl
• Purdue Entomology at the Indiana State Fair
• Linnaean Game Team Member
• Purdue Pest Control Conference Worker
• Judge for the Lafayette Regional Science and Engineering Fair

Study Abroad

• Spring 2002 Belize
• Summer 2000 Tolouse, France