Mary Jane Epps

I first became interested in the fungi as an undergraduate biology student at Duke University, where I studied with mycologist Rytas Vilgalys. After graduation in 2004 I spent the following year working as a field assistant on Barro Colorado Island in Panama, where I conducted research in plant-herbivore ecology under Lissy Coley and Tom Kursar. Currently I am a second-year Ph. D. student in Betsy Arnold's lab, and am very excited to be working on the ecology of mushroom-inhabiting insect communities! Although I think the ascomycetes are indeed marvelous, I also feel that one of my main roles in the lab is to support the Basidiomycota amidst the overwhelming enthusiasm for the ascos (hooray for the macrofungi)! In addition to my work on mushroom-insect interaction, I also have a strong interest in natural history. When I'm not working on my research or poking around outside, I'm also known to play old-time fiddle and banjo, and maintain an interest in the musical and cultural history of Appalachia. I currently play fiddle with the old-time string band Light & Hitch.

MJ's publications

Kursar, T.A., B.T. Wolfe, M.J. Epps, and P.D. Coley. 2006. The effects of plant quality, food availability, competition, and parasitism on performance and diet electivity in tropical Lepidoptera feeding on Inga (Fabaceae). Ecology 87: 3058-3069.