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Caroline S. Chaboo

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Adjunct Professor in Insect Systematics, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

My research focuses on the biology, behavior and systematics of chrysomelid leaf beetles. My recent activity has focused on a systematic inventory of chrysomelids and their host plants in Peru, on phylogenetic systematics and evolution of particular subfamilies, and on documenting biology of species. These projects discover and integrate data from beetle life history, host plant choices, and insect defenses towards more refined phylogenetic relationships, improved classification, and better understanding of evolutionary patterns, e.g., host plant choice, defense constructions, morphology, and subsociality.

Experience

  • –present
    Adjunct Professor in Insect Systematics, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
  • 2008–2016
    Curator, University of Kansas Biodiversity Institute and Museum
  • 2008–2016
    Assistant Professor, University of Kansas
  • 2005–2007
    Postdoctoral Fellow, American Museum of Natural History (AMNH)
  • 2004–2005
    Postdoctoral Fellow, University of California-Berkeley
  • 1995–1997
    Research assistant, American Museum of Natural History
  • 1989–1993
    Research assistant, American Museum of Natural History

Education

  • 2007 
    Cornell University, PhD Insect Systematics
  • 1995 
    University of Kansas, MA Insect Systematics
  • 1987 
    University of the West Indies-Trinidad and Tobago, BSc Natural Sciences

Publications

  • 2020
    Journal of Natural History , Flowers are essential to maintain high beetle diversity (Coleoptera) in a Neotropical rainforest canopy.

Grants and Contracts

  • 2015
    Integrating phylogeny and ecology to investigate evolution of anti-predator defenses in tortoise beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae)
    Role:
    Principal Investigator
    Funding Source:
    USA National Science Foundation
  • 2011
    Collaborative Research: Plants, Herbivores, and Parasitoids: A Model System for the study of Tri-Trophic Associations
    Role:
    Collaborator
    Funding Source:
    USA National Science Foundation
  • 2011
    A specimen-level database of the world’s bees (Apoidea) at the University of Kansas.
    Role:
    Co-Principal Investigator
    Funding Source:
    USA National Science Foundation
  • 2010
    Phylogenetic Research in the hyperdiverse leaf beetle family, Chrysomelidae (Coleoptera)
    Role:
    Principal Investigator
    Funding Source:
    USA National Science Foundation

Professional Memberships

  • Coleopterists Society
  • Entomological Society of America
  • Entomological Collections Network