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I am a PhD student at Cornell University's Center for Applied Mathematics, advised by Professor Stephen Ellner. At the broadest level I do research in Quantitative Ecology, but more specifically I use mathematical models to study the management of ecological systems. I believe that research in mathematical ecology is most fruitful when experts from different fields collaborate with each other. My research involves collaborating across several departments, including Applied Economics and Management, Computer Science, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Entomology, Mathematics, and Natural Resources.
Research
I study the consequences of various management strategies used to control the population dynamics of economically and environmentally important organisms.
Currently, in a collaboration with Professors of Entomology Jan Nyrop and John Sanderson and Entomology graduate student Doo Hyung Lee, I study the use of trap cropping as a management tool for insect pests in greenhouses. Trap cropping is a form of habitat diversification in which the grower plants additional crops to attract, divert, intercept, and/or retain targeted insects for the purpose of reducing damage to the main crop (Shelton and Badenes-Perez 2006). I am using a mathematical model to test the effectiveness of trap cropping under differing plant spatial distributions and differing insect pest life history traits.
I generally go about research by first developing a biological or management question and then using the most relevant mathematical tools to answer it. Therefore, I am constantly expanding my mathematical tool kit and have interests in many branches of applied mathematics. Most recently I have been drawn to the optimization literature to develop optimal strategies in pest and natural resource management.
Publications
Holden, M.H., S.P. Ellner, D.-H. Lee, J.P. Nyrop, & J.P. Sanderson. 2012. Designing an effective trap cropping strategy: the effects of attraction, retention and plant spatial distribution. Journal of Applied Ecology . DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2664.2012.02137.x
Teaching
To see quiz and worksheet solutions visit Math 1120 section Solutions
Spring 2012: TA for Math 1106 - Calculus for the Life and Social Sciences
To see quiz and worksheet solutions visit Math 1106 section Solutions
Fall 2011: TA for Math 1710 - Statistical Theory and Application in the Real World
April 2011: Workshop leader for Expand Your Horizons: motivating young women in science + mathematics.
October 2010: Instructor and Co-Organizer for a one day course on Game Theory at the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth: Odyssey Series .
October 2009: Instructor for a one day course on Chaos at the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth: Odyssey Series.
Summer 2008: TA for Chaos and Fractals at Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth.
References
- Shelton, A. M. and Badenes-Perez, F. R. (2006). Concepts and applications of trap cropping in pest management. Annu. Rev. Entomol., 51:285–308.
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