Katherine (Katie) McNamara Manning is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Kent State University. She recently submitted her first manuscript for publication titled “Experimental calibration of trapping methods for addressing bias in arthropod biodiversity monitoring.” It is currently in review for publication. She has also shared her research through poster presentations and virtual talks at local, regional, and national conferences. Recent poster and virtual talks are titled “Trapping method impact on insect catch: Experimental calibration for addressing bias in insect biodiversity monitoring,” “Experimental calibration for addressing bias in arthropod biodiversity monitoring,” and “Built by Nature: community and function in natural and structurally analogous urban systems.” Her poster titled “Trapping method impact on insect catch: Experimental calibration for addressing bias in insect biodiversity monitoring” won her the Graduate Student Senate Poster Presentation Award in 2021.
Katie studies insect ecology in urban and natural systems, with a focus on investigating the effect of frame-of-reference on scientific findings, especially in terms of insect collection methodology. Her dissertation work explores this with field work on green roofs and natural analogs, biodiversity monitoring trap calibration, and literature-based work examining insect population trends. She is experienced in the areas of beneficial insects, native bees, insect biodiversity, living architecture, ecosystem services, community, and urban ecology. In her future career, Katie would like to continue to explore the world through lenses of science and curiosity. She wants to share her passions for insects and ecology with others in her field and the public.
Katie is passionate about taking on roles within the university to advocate for fellow grad students by serving on the university’s Graduate Student Senate and the department’s Biology Graduate Student Council. She has mentored undergraduate and graduate students alike and participates in a mentorship program for accelerated science middle school students at Painesville Ohio School District. Since the pandemic began, Katie has taken on many roles within the Biological Sciences department and the university, which include College of Arts and Sciences Curriculum Committee Alternate Representative, Co-President of the Biology Graduate Student Council, Graduate Student Representative on the Biological Sciences Graduate Studies Committee, Graduate Student Senate Alternate Senator for Biological Sciences, Graduate Academic Evaluation Committee Member, Biological Sciences Graduate Student Senator - serving on KSU Graduate Student Senate and Biology, Graduate Student Council, Social Media Manager for the Biology Graduate Student Council, Graduate Student Representative for Biological Sciences Seminar Committee, Graduate Student Senate Research Award Review Committee Member, and Judge for KSU Summer Undergraduate Research Experience research presentations.