Insect Microbiome and Genetics Laboratory
Biological Control of Insects Research Laboratory
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In Service to the American People
The Kang Laboratory is a part of the USDA Agricultural Research Service Biological Control of Insects Research Laboratory and is affiliated with the Division of Biological Sciences, Division of Plant Sciences and Technology, the Digital Agriculture Research Extension Center, and the Grape and Wine Institute at the University of Missouri. We investigate the utilization of novel genetic technologies as well as microbiomes in the control of insect pests. Our interests are 1) utilizing molecular and genetic tools to control insect pests, and 2) understanding how environmental influences, within community interactions of microbiomes, host insect-microbe interactions impact host immunity, metabolism, reproduction, and survival. We value team work, honest communication, and aim to foster an environment focused on the development and success of our trainees and students.
Our laboratory focuses on a multidisciplinary approach. First, we capture microbial and host variation in the wild. Next, we use statistical modeling to generate hypotheses. We then test and refine these hypotheses in the laboratory. We then apply this knowledge towards the development of new methods of pest control such as microbial sprays and gene drives. The knowledge gained from these experiments is then utilized to control agricultural pests, such as the grape and berry pests, Spotted Wing Drosophila (Drosophila suzukii) and Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula).
Laboratory Members
Permanant Members
David (Dave) Kang, PhD
David (Dave) Kang, PhD
Principal Investigator
USDA ARS Lead Scientist & Research Molecular Biologist
Adjunct, University of Missouri Division of Biological Sciences & Division of Plant Sciences & Technology
Email: Dave.Kang@usda.gov
Joseph (Joe) Ringbauer Jr., PhD
Joseph (Joe) Ringbauer Jr., PhD
USDA ARS Laboratory Manager and Biological Laboratory Technician
Email: Joseph.Ringbauer@usda.gov
Stephen (Steve) Saathoff
Stephen (Steve) Saathoff
USDA ARS Biological Laboratory Technician
Email: Steve.Saathoff@usda.gov
Postdoctoral Fellows & Research Consultants
Rishi Bhandari, PhD
Rishi Bhandari, PhD
University of Missouri Research Consultant (Microbiome Research)
Email: Rishi.Bhandari@usda.gov
My research examines how microbial community assembly affects Drosophila pest performance using machine learning and statistical modeling techniques.
Katharine (Kate) Eastman, PhD
Katharine (Kate) Eastman, PhD
USDA ARS Postdoctoral Fellow (Big Data)
Email: Katharine.Eastman@usda.gov
My research focuses on developing a bioinformatic-based platform that utilizes shotgun metagenome sequence data to create pan-genome assemblies.
Richard (Rick) Fandino, PhD
Richard (Rick) Fandino, PhD
USDA ARS Administrator Funded Postdoctoral Fellow (Gene Editing)
Email: Richard.Fandino@usda.gov
My research focuses on developing novel genetic tools towards the control of spotted lanternflies.
Kirtley Amos, PhD
Kirtley Amos, PhD
SciNET AI COE Postdoctoral Fellow (Computational)
Co-advised with Dr. Paula Chen, Dr. Bethany Redel, Dr. Jacob Washburn, Dr. Norman Best, and Dr. Adam R. Rivers
My research focuses on creating computational tools for gene editing in agriculturally pertinent organisms.
Graduate Students
Kaihre Brightwater
Kaihre Brightwater
PhD Student, University of Missouri Division of Biological Sciences
Email: kbgbg@missouri.edu
I am interested in documenting the metabolic conversation between fruit flies and the bacteria that make up their microbiome.
Sanchita Das, MS
Sanchita Das, MS
PhD Student, University of Missouri Division of Biological Sciences
Email: sdgqw@missouri.edu
My research focuses on mechanisms underlying microbial influences on Drosophila melanogaster phenotype.
Undergraduate Students
Ava Gill
Ava Gill
USDA ARS HACU Intern
Undergraduate Student, University of Missouri
Skylar Griffith
Skylar Griffith
Laboratory Assistant
Undergraduate Student, University of Missouri
Anna Hermann
Anna Hermann
USDA ARS HACU Intern
Undergraduate Student, University of Missouri
Past Members
Laurie Agosto
Laurie Agosto
PhD Student, University of Missouri Division of Biological Sciences
Pamela Brown Laboratory
Eliot Bitting, MA
Eliot Bitting, MA
PhD Student, University of Missouri Department of Mathematics
Alex Boyd
Alex Boyd
USDA ARS Laboratory Assistant
Undergraduate Student, University of Missouri
Christian Fair
Christian Fair
Columbia Missouri Career Awareness Related Experience (CARE) 2025 Program Trainee
Madison Frees
Madison Frees
USDA ARS HACU Intern
Undergraduate Student, University of Missouri
Jeffrey (Cooper) Gregg
Jeffrey (Cooper) Gregg
Columbia Missouri Career Awareness Related Experience (CARE) 2023 Program Trainee
Samantha Hopkins
Samantha Hopkins
Columbia Missouri Career Awareness Related Experience (CARE) 2026 Program Trainee
Rotary Club Speech Winner
Himani Joshi, PhD
Himani Joshi, PhD
USDA ARS SciNet Intern
PhD Student, Mississippi State University
Peixin Fan Laboratory
Iris Ma
Iris Ma
Columbia Missouri Career Awareness Related Experience (CARE) 2024 Program Trainee
Wynna Faye Elbert Award Recipient
Joyce Marumo, PhD
Joyce Marumo, PhD
SciNET AI COE Postdoctoral Fellow (Computational)
Co-advised with Dr. Paula Chen, Dr. Bethany Redel, Dr. Jacob Washburn, Dr. Norman Best, and Dr. Adam R. Rivers
Julius Olumeh, PhD
Julius Olumeh, PhD
USDA ARS Laboratory Assistant
Leigha Patton
Leigha Patton
USDA ARS HACU Intern
Undergraduate Student, University of Missouri
Owen Terry
Owen Terry
Columbia Missouri Career Awareness Related Experience (CARE) 2025 - 2026 Program Trainee
Wynna Faye Elbert Award Recipient
Jacky Weng
Jacky Weng
USDA ARS Intern
Undergraduate Student, University of Missouri
Zoe Wills
Zoe Wills
USDA ARS Laboratory Assistant
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