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Indian River Research and Education Center

Indian River Research and Education Center

Dr. Nicole F. Quinn 

Assistant Professor, Entomology, Biological Control 

Dr. Nicole F. Quinn is an Assistant Professor of Entomology, aiming to control Florida’s most invasive arthropods with classical biological control. Her focus will be on species that are both ecologically and economically significant to the state. Quinn’s appointment with UF/IFAS is 80% research and 20% teaching.

Dr. Quinn recently joined the team at the UF/IFAS Indian River Research and Education Center Norman C. Hayslip Biological Control Research and Containment Laboratory. The laboratory is one of only two facilities in Florida where scientists lead biological control research in a sophisticated quarantine setting. The facility is the final step to gaining federal approval for the release of new arthropod control agents into the state’s ranchlands and natural landscapes.

Dr. Quinn will begin her arthropod biological control program with Nipaecoccus viridis, also known as the Lebbeck, spherical, or hibiscus mealybug.  In Florida, the insect may cause up to 70% fruit drop in citrus groves. The Lebbeck mealybug is a pest of citrus and other commodities in other parts of the world. It is widespread in the Middle East and in Africa, where scientists have achieved biological control success against the pest. The Lebbeck mealybug is new to Florida, where UF researchers began observation and treatment for the pest in 2019.

Dr. Quinn comes to UF/IFAS from the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service Beneficial Insect Introduction Research Unit and the University of Massachusetts. There, she served as a postdoctoral research associate. Her most recent work specialized in the study of dispersal, phenology, efficacy, biology, and sampling of the complex parasitoids introduced to regulate emerald ash borer or Agrilus planipennis. The emerald ash borer is responsible for destroying millions of ash trees in 30 U.S. states and Canada. 

Dr. Quinn’s Ph.D. dissertation involved the behavior and biological control of the brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys.

In addition to extensive research on biological control, Dr. Quinn has experience as an adjunct faculty member at Towson State University Department of Biological Sciences. Quinn’s plans at UF are to develop curriculum and coursework for graduate students pursuing academic degrees in entomology.  

Due mainly to a yearlong warm climate, Florida is subject to many invasive species. Biological control is cutting-edge science, and Dr. Quinn brings ten years of experience to the UF/IFAS biological control effort at the University of Florida/IFAS Indian River Research and Education Center’s Norman C. Hayslip Biological Control Research and Containment Laboratory. 

  • Research

    Dr. Nicole Quinn's research program involves biological control for Florida's ecologically and economically important invasive arthropods. 

  • Teaching

    Dr. Nicole Quinn will develop academic courses for the UF/IFAS Department of Entomology.  

Contact

Room #103
Indian River Research and Education Center Norman C. Hayslip Biological Control Research and Containment Laboratory 
2199 South Rock Road
Fort Pierce, FL 34945-3138
nicole.quinn@ufl.edu

  • Education
    • Ph.D. in Entomology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, 2019
    • M.S. Entomology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, 2015
    • B.S. in Biology, Minor, English, 2012
  • Publications

  • Awards and Service

    Awards and Scholarships

    • James McD. Grayson Scholarship for Outstanding Achievement in Graduate Study, Runner-Up (2019) Amount: $3,000
    • Gladys and Clarence Hill Scholarship Fund (2017) Amount: $275
    • Entomological Society of America Oral Ten-Minute Paper Competition, President's Prize, Second Place (2018)
    • Entomological Society of America Eastern Branch Asa Fitch Award for Outstanding Achievment in Total Master's Program (2017)
    • Entomological Society of America North Central Branch Student Travel Scholarship (2016). Amount: $250
    • Michigan State University Department of Entomology Wooley Award for Outstanding Achievement in Total Master's Program (2016) 
    • Michigan State University Graduate Travel Fellowship (2015) Amount: $400
    • Hutson Travel Grant (2015) Amount $500
    • The Michigan Vegetable Council Vegetable Industry Scholarship (2014) Amount $1,500
    • Entomological Society of America Oral Ten-Minute Paper Competition: President's Prize First Place (2014) 
    • Best Booth at Department of Entomology at the College of Agriculture and Natural Resource's Autumn Fest (2014)
    • Dean's Commendation List (Fall, 2011)

    Memberships

    • National Research Mentoring Network (2021-present) 
    • Nearctic Regional Section (NRS) of the International Organization for Biocontrol of Noxious Animals and Plants (IOBC) (2017-present)
    • Entomological Society of America member (2013-present)
    • Cambridge Entomological Club (2011-2013)

    Service

    • Reviewed 22 manuscripts since 2017 including for:                                                                               

    Journal of Pest Science (Feb 2021 onwards)

    Insects (Mar 2021 onwards)

    Canadian Entomologist (Feb 2021 onwards)

    Pest Management Science (July 2020 onwards) 

    Environmental Entomology (Dec 2018, onwards) 

    Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems (Dec 2018, onwards) 

    Agricultural and Forest Entomology (Nov. 2018, onwards)

    Annals of Entomology (July 2018, onwards)

    Ecology and Evolution (July 2018, onwards) 

    BioControl (Dec. 2017, onwards)