Our Team

Jason J. Dombroskie

Principal

My main interest is microlepidoptera with a focus on the taxonomy of the tortricid moth tribe Archipini in the New World. I am the manager of the Cornell University Insect Collection and coordinator of the Insect Diagnostic Lab and you will often find me collecting in various parts of the world or browsing insect collections in efforts to document the Lepidoptera fauna of New York State. You can also find me leading various public outings and talks on Insects.

Google Scholar
iNaturalist

Kyhl Austin

MSc student

I am working in the CUIC to revise the Caribbean Archipini (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) as well as overseeing the curation of the Noctuoidea and the digitization of the Franclemont genitalia slide collection. I am broadly interested in the taxonomy and systematics of Lepidoptera with a particular fondness for more neglected families. I graduated from Davidson College in May 2018 with a BS in Biology and began my studies at Cornell in June 2018.

iNaturalist
BugGuide
Research Gate
Google Scholar

Jacob Gorneau

Undergraduate

My interests lie broadly in arthropod diversity and evolution. I am fascinated by how arthropods can be used as case studies for rapid and widespread diversification, and how our understanding of these events can elucidate patterns in more dubious taxa. Currently, I am conducting research on the genus Argyresthia (Lepidoptera: Argyresthiidae), a large genus of micromoths found worldwide. One of my goals is to reexamine the Neotropical fauna, which has not been reviewed since the early 20th century.

Brandon Woo

Undergraduate

I work on the taxonomy and systematics of pygmy mole crickets (Orthoptera: Tridactylidae), small grasshopper-like insects usually associated with wet areas. The ancient sand ridge habitats of Florida and Georgia hold numerous undescribed species adapted to an unusual lifestyle in dry habitats. My work is focused on characterizing these species and elucidating their biology and relationships to other pygmy mole cricket species.

BugGuide
iNaturalist

Margaret McCurdy

High School Student

I am a high school senior who participates in the New Visions program. I’ve been working to identify specimens of Eupithecia of New York State from the collection by wing pattern, brushing, and dissection. When I’m not in the Lab I’m usually exploring some other aspect of the natural world or spending time in the forest. In the future I expect to continue my studies in a college that is to be determined.

Alumni and Past Visitors

Vanessa Ale
Undergraduate Student 2018 – 2019

Emma Williamson
High School Student 2018 – 2019

Gwen Erdosh
High School Student 2017 – Profile

Janet Mihuc
Sabbatical Visitor 2017 – Faculty Page

Ryan St Laurent
Undergraduate Student 2012 – 2016 – LinkedIn

So, what do you do exactly?

Our Research