Annie Kirk
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I joined the Isaacs lab in the fall of 2008 after graduating from Illinois College with her B.S. in Biology/Chemistry. My undergraduate research on the propagation of endangered orchid species led me to become interested in plant-insect interactions, specifically the mechanics of pollination ecology.
My Ph.D research at MSU is centered around the development and validation of a deterministic model of blueberry pollination. With this research I am exploring alternative pollination strategies that incorporate both honey bees and bumble bees and my goal is to identify those strategies that provide optimal pollination efficiency under variable environmental conditions. The application of this research is highly relevant in light of recent concerns surrounding managed pollinator decline, and I hope it will help ensure the long-term sustainability of pollination-dependent agricultural crops.
Photos from the 2009 season
The top photo shows me in a blooming blueberry field with my trusty field assistant Kyle (right) and a visiting Chilean scientist, Leo (left).
The bottom photo is from some experiments I have been running to see how pollination parameters change with flower age in different cultivars.
