Representing AWE

The Women in Entomology Board are involved in organizing meetings,  events, seminars, professional development workshops, and coordinate mentoring opportunities for women pursuing a career in STEM fields.   

Chloe hawkings

President

Chloe Hawkings is a PhD candidate in the Tamborindeguy lab. Her research interests lie in the field of molecular biology and her dissertation focuses on the molecular mechanisms that play a role in task allocation behavior of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, workers and also studies investigating gene expression profiles in the brain of the workers. She graduated from Swansea University with a B.S and went on to complete a MS at the University of Florida. Chloe has developed a passion for teaching at Texas A&M, and has been the lead TA for general entomology for the last 4 semesters. As well as understanding the important role of community for women in the scientific community, Chloe is also an advocate for women in entrepreneurship and is the CEO of her own startup company. She enjoys reading, traveling, and film.

Jocelyn holt

Vice President, Mentorship Program liaison

Jocelyn is a third year graduate student in the Raul F. Medina lab. Her research interests include assessing the role mutualisms play in facilitating invasive species establishment success as well as examining the role genetic composition may play in how mutualisms are established. Currently Jocelyn is investigating the internal bacterial composition or microbiome of sugarcane aphids (​Melanaphis sacchari, SCA) and its potential to facilitate pest outbreaks. In addition, she is also assessing the population genetic structure of another invasive pest the tawny crazy ant (Nylanderia fulva, TCA) across its US distribution. Jocelyn’s research will allow for a better understanding of invasive species success by characterizing potential beneficial microbes and establish a foundation for assessing the role genetic composition plays in mutualisms among invasive pest species. Jocelyn is excited to be a member of Women in Entomology and share her experiences and knowledge with others. She knows how important it is to be part of a supportive network early on in science education and the benefit that hands on research experience had when she was an undergraduate. It is her hope that by participating in Women in Entomology and other organizations that promote excellence in STEM that she can inspire the next generation of scientists and professionals.

Alex payne

Director of finance 

Alexandria (Alex) Payne is a PhD student in the lab of Dr. Juliana Rangel within the Department of Entomology. She is a part of the Fightin Texas Aggie Class of 2016 with a B.S. double major in
Bioenvironmental Sciences and Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences. Her current research looks at how honey bee colonies can be impacted by invasive ant species. Alex wants to help more undergraduate women get involved in STEM research by providing mentorship and advice based on her previous experiences as an undergrad researcher at TAMU.​

Leah buchman

Director of communication

Leah Buchman is a PhD student in the Department of Entomology. She graduated from Cornell University in 2016 with a B.S. in Entomology. She currently researches microbial biology and fungal endophyte-plant interactions associated with abiotic and biotic stresses on sorghum and soybean. Leah is a member of the Entomology Graduate Student Organization and a role model and mentor for other women. Leah is an avid reader, runner, and a big baseball fan!

Estelle martin

POST DOCTORAL Representitive 

Estelle Martin is a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Entomology. She obtained her PhD at the Pateur Institut in Paris working on the impact of chikungunya virus evolution on the transmission dynamics of the virus in Reunion Island. She did a first postdoc at the University of Hawaii investigating i) the risk of dengue virus introduction on the island of Oahu and ii) the microevolution of dengue virus serotype 4 in Puerto Rico. She is currently interested in understanding the ecological and social factors that influence arboviral diseases emergence and the impact of co-infections on vector-borne disease transmission. Estelle wants to help and support younger women to follow their academic interests to a career in entomology and offer them perspective from a foreigner point of view. She is passionate about scuba diving and traveling.

cecilia tamborindeguy

FACULTY advisor

Cecilia Tamborindeguy is an Associate Professor in the Department of Entomology. Her research interests lie in the field of, insect physiology and pathogen-insect-plant interactions from the molecular and mechanistic perspectives. Currently, she works on psyllids as vector of Liberibacter bacteria, and recently her research interests expanded to fire ants. She obtained her Agronomy Engineering, MS and PhD diplomas from the Ecole Nationale Superieure Agronomique de Toulouse in France. After her PhD, Cecilia received postdoctoral training under Dr. Stewart Gray in the Department of Plant Pathology at Cornell University studying virus transmission by aphids. Cecilia wants to support and mentor women and other underrepresented minorities in science. Although Cecilia truly enjoys reading, movies and traveling, for now she spends the majority of her free time helping her kids with homework.