Principal Investigator | Research Assistant Professor | V-PART Co-Lead
Maryam is an entomologist and soil ecologist who works at the intersection of biological control, microbial ecology, and invasive species dynamics. Her research explores how fungi, insects, and microbes interact across agroecosystems—and how these relationships shift under environmental stress. She combines field experiments, greenhouse trials, and genomics to uncover strategies for sustainable pest management and ecological restoration.
She also co-leads V-PART alongside Vic, a transdisciplinary research team that uses participatory approaches to develop sustainable pest management strategies in partnership with growers across the Northeast.
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V-PART Lead | Research Associate & Senior Lecturer
Vic is an evolutionary ecologist and entomologist with deep roots in participatory research and sustainable pest management. He leads V-PART, working closely with growers to co-create ecological solutions to agricultural challenges. With a background in evolutionary biology and a passion for horizontal, community-engaged science, Vic brings creativity, wisdom, and collaborative spirit to everything he does—both in the field and in the classroom.
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Lead Field & Lab Research Technician
Major: Agroecology & Landscape Design 2025
Nolan graduated from UVM’s Agriculture, Landscape & Environment (ALE) program in 2025 and joined the lab shortly after. He’s curious, meticulous, and known for asking the kinds of thoughtful questions that make everyone think a little deeper. Nolan brings a love of plants, a sharp eye for detail, and a steady hand to our fieldwork and biocontrol projects—and yes, he’s got an enviable houseplant collection.
2025 - present
Lead Lab Research Technician
Major: Environmental Science, Russian, and Political Science with a minor in Zoology, 2025
Ollie joined the lab as an undergrad and has stayed on since graduating in 2025. They’re a quick learner, sharp, and incredibly adaptable—able to pick up new tasks on the fly and get them done with precision. Ollie is now helping lead several field and lab projects, and hopes to pursue a graduate degree in the near future. Their dog, Bones, is our unofficial field trip mascot.
2023 - present
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Major: Environmental Studies, 2026
Ari joined the lab in 2025. He assists with a variety of field and lab tasks under the guidance of our lead technician, Nolan Kurtz. He’s known for being hardworking, and highly adaptable—always ready to step in and help where needed.
Summer 2025
LAB ALUMNI
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Major: Agroecology, 2024
Kit joined the lab in early 2023, driven by a curiosity about everything we were working on. After exploring several projects, he found his niche in wireworm research and successfully secured a SURF grant to survey wireworm diversity across Vermont farms. Kit became our go-to expert in wireworm ID and field sampling, and through the process, discovered that science is exactly where he wants to be. He’s now pursuing a PhD at UVM, studying fruit flies and evolutionary genetics.
2023 - 2025
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Major: Microbiology, 2024
Abbey joined the lab in the summer of 2024 and brought both sharp lab skills and great energy to our team. She specialized in DNA extractions and quickly became the go-to troubleshooter when things got tricky. Whether it was problem-solving protocols or powering through long lab days, Abbey made it all feel easy (and fun).
2024 - 2025
Undergraduate Research Assistant & Field Technician
Major: Animal Science, 2024
Erica joined the lab in 2022 and quickly became one of our most reliable and quietly capable team members—always ready to help and quick to learn. While her Animal Science major eventually led her to pursue hands-on work at the UVM barn, she continued supporting the lab until the summer of 2024. Erica is still in Vermont and often joins us for lab gatherings (and we’re always glad she does).
2022 - 2024
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Major: Environmental Science, 2023
Kat joined the lab in 2020 during her senior year and quickly became a vital part of our field crew. Full of energy and curiosity, she was a fast learner and always brought creative flair—crafting wooden beetles and plants that still brighten up the lab. After graduating, she completed an accelerated master’s program at UVM and successfully defended her thesis early 2025.
2022 - 2023
Collaborators
Dr. Joseph Schall
Mentor & Scientific Contributor | Professor
Joe is an evolutionary ecologist and parasitologist known for his decades-long research on reptile and avian malaria. Now focused on Monocystis in earthworms, he brings deep expertise and ongoing mentorship to the lab. With a sharp scientific mind and an unmatched ability to spot gaps, refine designs, and ask the questions others miss, Joe’s input elevates every project he touches.
Dr. Josef Görres
Collaborating Scientist | Professor
Josef is a soil physicist and educator studying jumping worms, soil structure, and sustainable land management. He teaches soil science at UVM and collaborates on worm ecology projects. His is an engaged contributor to both research and conversation ready to explore new questions.
Scott Lewins
Research Development Advisor
Scott is an entomologist and agroecologist with expertise in sustainable pest management and participatory research. He contributes project guidance and collaborative support from UVM’s Office of the Vice Predident for Research (OVPR).
Community & Outreach Partners
Intervale Community Farm
Last Resort Farm
Field & Research Sites
UVM Greenhouse Facilities
Located on UVM’s central campus, these controlled-environment spaces support plant–microbe–insect interaction studies and offer hands-on learning for students in lab and course projects.
UVM Horticulture Research & Education Center (HREC)
Our primary field site for jumping worm trials, biological control experiments, and student training in agroecology. Located just South Burlington.