CV
EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
| Assistant Professor Department of Entomology University of Kentucky Lexington, KY USA |
Present |
| Postdoctoral Research Associate Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics Princeton University Princeton, NJ USA Advisor: Dr. Sarah D. Kocher |
2019 - 2023 |
| Ph.D. Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Urbana, IL USA Advisor: Dr. Gene E. Robinson |
2012 - 2019 |
| IGERT Fellow Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Barro Colorado Island, Panama Advisor: Dr. William T. Wcislo |
2013 - 2015 |
| Biological Science Technician USDA-ARS Carl Hayden Bee Research Center Tucson, AZ USA |
2011 – 2012 |
| Bachelor of Science, Summa cum Laude and Honors College of Science University of Arizona Tucson, AZ USA Majors: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Molecular and Cellular Biology Minors: Math, Chemistry Thesis Advisors: Dr. Daniel R. Papaj & Dr. Wulfila Gronenberg |
2006 - 2011 |
PUBLICATIONS
Jones, B.M., Rubin, B.E.R., Dudchenko, O., Kingwell, C.J., et al. (2023). Convergent and complementary selection shaped gains and losses of eusociality in sweat bees. Nature Ecology & Evolution, 1-13.
Gernat, T., Jagla, T., Jones, B.M., Middendorf, M., and Robinson, G.E. (2023). Automated monitoring of honey bees with barcodes and artificial intelligence reveals two distinct social networks from a single affiliative behavior. Scientific Reports, 13(1):1541.
Jones, B.M., Rao, V.D., Gernat, T., Jagla, T., Cash-Ahmed, A., Rubin, B.E.R., Comi, T.J., Bhogale, S., Husain, S.S., Blatti III, C., Middendorf, M., Sinha, S., Chandrasekaran, S., and Robinson, G.E. (2020). Individual differences in honey bee behavior enabled by plasticity in brain gene regulatory networks. eLife, 9:e62850.
Sinha, S., Jones, B.M., Traniello, I.M., Bukhari, S.A., Halfon, M.S., Hofmann, H.A., Huang, S., Katz, P.S., Keagy, J., Lynch, V., Sokolowski, M.B., Stubbs, L., Tabe-Bordbar, S., Wolfner, M.F., and Robinson, G.E. (2020). Behavior-related gene regulatory networks: A new level of organization in the brain. PNAS, 117(38):23270-23279.
Kapheim, K.M., Jones, B.M., Pan, H., Li, C., Harpur, B.A., Kent, C.F., Zayed, A., Ioannidis, P., Waterhouse, R.M., Kingwell, C., Stolle, E., Avalos, A., Zhang, G., McMillan, W.O., and Wcislo, W.T. (2020). Developmental plasticity shapes social traits and selection in a facultatively eusocial bee. PNAS, 117(24):13615-13625.
Jones, B.M., Seymoure, B.M., Comi, T.J. and Loew, E.R. (2020). Species and sex differences in eye morphometry and visual responsivity of two crepuscular sweat bee species (Megalopta spp., Hymenoptera: Halictidae). Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 130(3):533-544.
Geffre, A.C., Gernat, T., Harwood, G.P., Jones, B.M., Gysi, D.M., Hamilton, A.R., Bonning, B.C., Toth, A.L., Robinson, G.E., and Dolezal, A.G. (2020). Honey bee virus causes context-dependent changes in host social behavior. PNAS, 117(19):10406-10413.
Kapheim, K.M., Jones, B.M., Søvik., E, Stolle, E., Waterhouse, R.M., Bloch, G., and Ben-Shahar, Y. (2020). Brain microRNAs among social and solitary bees. Royal Society Open Science, 7(7):200517.
Gernat, T., Jagla, T., Jones, B.M., Middendorf, M., and Robinson, G.E. (2020). Automated monitoring of animal behaviour with barcodes and convolutional neural networks. bioRxiv, doi: 10.1101/2020.11.27.401760.
Rubin, B.E.R., Jones, B.M., Hunt, B.G., and Kocher, S.D. (2019). Rate variation in the evolution of non-coding DNA associated with social evolution in bees. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, 374:20180247.
Kapheim, K.M., Pan, H., Li, C., Blatti, C., Harpur, B.A., Ioannidis, P., Jones, B.M., Kent, C.F., Ruzzante, L., Sloofman, L., Stolle, E., Waterhouse, R.M., Zayed, A., Zhang, G., and Wcislo, W.T. (2019). Draft genome assembly and population genetics of an agricultural pollinator, the solitary alkali bee (Halictidae: Nomia melanderi). G3, 9:625-634.
Jones, B.M. and Robinson, G.E. (2018). Genetic accommodation and the role of ancestral plasticity in the evolution of insect eusociality. Journal of Experimental Biology, 221:jeb153163.
Jones, B.M., Kingwell, C.J., Wcislo, W.T., and Robinson, G.E. (2017). Caste-biased gene expression in a facultatively eusocial bee suggests a role for genetic accommodation in the evolution of eusociality. Proceedings of the Royal Society B., 284:20162228.
Corby-Harris, V., Meador, C.A.D., Snyder, L.A., Schwan, M.R., Maes, P., Jones, B.M., Walton, A., and Anderson, K.E. (2016). Transcriptional, translational, and physiological signatures of undernourished honey bees (Apis mellifera) suggest a role for hormonal factors in hypopharyngeal gland degradation. Journal of Insect Physiology, 85:65-75.
Jones, B.M., Wcislo, W.T. and Robinson, G.E. (2015). Developmental transcriptome for a facultatively eusocial bee, Megalopta genalis. G3, 5:2127-2135.
Corby-Harris, V., Jones, B.M., Walton, A., Schwan, M., and Anderson, K.E. (2014). Transcriptional markers of sub-optimal nutrition in developing Apis mellifera nurse workers. BMC Genomics, 15:134.
Jones, B.M., Leonard, A.S., Papaj, D.R. and Gronenberg, W. (2013). Plasticity of the worker bumblebee brain in relation to age and rearing environment. Brain, Behavior and Evolution, 82:250-261.
Anderson, K., Sheehan, T.H., Mott, B.M., Maes, P., Snyder, L., Schwan, M., Walton, A., Jones, B.M., and Corby-Harris, V. (2013). Microbial ecology of the hive and pollination landscape: bacterial associates from floral nectar, the alimentary tract and stored food of honey bees (Apis meliifera). PLoS One, 8: e83125.
GRANTS AND AWARDS
| George C. Eickwort Student Research Award (IUSSI-NAS) | 2019 |
| Robert Emerson Memorial Award (UIUC) | 2018 |
| Harley J. Van Cleave Research Award (UIUC) | 2016 |
| Francis M. and Harlie M. Clark Research Support Grant (UIUC) | 2016 |
| Animal Behavior Society Student Research Grant | 2016 |
| NSF IGERT Research Grants (UIUC) | 2013, 2014 |
| mithsonian Tropical Research Institute Travel Grant | 2014 |
| PEEC Travel Grant (UIUC) | 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| Graduate College Travel Award (UIUC) | 2014, 2016, 2017 |
| Ernst Mayr Fellowship, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute | 2013 - 2014 |
| NSF Graduate Research Fellowship | 2012 - 2015 |
| NSF IGERT (VInTG) Fellowship | 2012 - 2014 |
| Illinois Distinguished Fellowship | 2012 - 2018 |
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics Outstanding Senior Thesis Award (UA) | 2011 |
| Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Outstanding Senior Award (UA) | 2011 |
| Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Excellence in Undergraduate Research Award (UA) | 2011 |
| Edmund A. Arbas Award of Excellence, Department of Neuroscience (UA) | 2011 |
| Pillars of Excellence, Honors College student scholar award (UA) | 2011 |
| Barry M. Goldwater Fellowship (2 years of support) | 2010 - 2011 |
| Galileo Circle Scholar, UA College of Science award | 2009 |
| Janelia Undergraduate Scholar, HHMI | 2008 |
| Flinn Scholarship, tuition and travel award | 2006 - 2010 |
| Phi Beta Kappa member | 2008 - present |
| Elks Most Valuable Student Award | 2006 - 2010 |
| Beckman Finalist, scholarship supporting chemistry and life science research | 2007 |
| SMART Grant | 2008 - 2009 |
| Kiwanis District Scholarship | 2006 |
| University Grants, financial awards | 2006 - 2010 |
| President’s Award for Excellence, UA merit-based scholarship | 2006 - 2010 |
ADDITIONAL WORK AND RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
| Undergraduate research associate Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Arizona Tucson, AZ USA Advisors: Dr. Daniel R. Papaj & Dr. Wulfila Gronenberg |
2008 - 2011 |
| Undergraduate field assistant University Federal de Sergipe Aracaju, Brazil Advisors: Dr. Hans C. Kelstrup & Dr. Lynn M. Riddiford |
2010 |
| Pupae Manager Tucson Botanical Gardens Tucson, AZ USA |
2009 – 2010 |
| Research Associate Janelia Farm Research Campus (HHMI) Ashburn, VA USA Advisor: Dr. Lynn M. Riddiford |
2009 |
| Janelia Undergraduate Scholar Janelia Farm Research Campus (HHMI) Ashburn, VA USA Advisor: Dr. Lynn M. Riddiford |
2008 |
| Undergraduate research associate Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics University of Arizona Tucson, AZ USA Advisor: Dr. Roger L. Miesfeld |
2006 - 2008 |
| Research Associate I Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) Phoenix, AZ USA Advisor: Dr. David Duggan |
2006 |
| Research Intern Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) Phoenix, AZ USA Advisor: Dr. David Duggan |
2005 |
PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS
| Invited Conference Talks | |
| Entomological Society of America. Denver, CO USA (upcoming) | 2021 |
| Animal Behavior Society. Virtual conference | 2021 |
| Entomological Society of America. Denver, CO USA | 2017 |
| International Congress of Entomology. Orlando, FL USA | 2016 |
| Invited Seminars | |
| Political Science Graduate Brown Bag. Urbana, IL USA | 2017 |
| Heart of Illinois Beekeepers Association. Peoria, IL USA | 2015 |
| IGERT symposium. Urbana, IL USA | 2014 |
| Tucson Botanical Gardens Public Talk Series. Tucson, AZ USA | 2010 |
| 51st Annual Drosophila Conference. Washington, DC USA | 2010 |
| Contributed Talks and Seminars | |
| Animal Behavior Society. Virtual conference | 2020 |
| Biology & Genomics of Social Insects. Cold Spring Harbor, NY USA | 2018 |
| Arthropod Genomics Symposium. Urbana, IL USA | 2018 |
| Midwest Ecology and Evolution Conference. Urbana, IL USA | 2017 |
| Biology & Genomics of Social Insects. Cold Spring Harbor, NY USA | 2015 |
| Midwest Ecology and Evolution Conference. Bloomington, IN USA | 2015 |
| International Union for the Study of Social Insects. Cairns, Australia | 2014 |
| UIUC EcoLunch. Urbana, IL USA | 2013 |
| STRI Behavioral Ecology Group, Panama City, Panama | 2013 |
| Capybara Chalk Talk Series. Barro CoIorado Island, Panama | 2013 |
| Biological, Engineering, and Chemical Undergraduate Research. Tucson, AZ USA | 2010 |
| Undergraduate Teaching Assistant Seminar. Tucson, AZ USA | 2010 |
| Poster Presentations | |
| Biology & Genomics of Social Insects. Virtual conference | 2021 |
| Carl R. Woese IGB Fellows Symposium. Urbana, IL USA -Awarded Best Poster Award |
2015 |
| Animal Behavior Society. Bloomington, IN USA -Awarded Honorable Mention Genesis Award |
2011 |
| Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Poster Session. Tucson, AZ USA -Awarded First Place in Poster Contest |
2011 |
| Biological, Engineering, and Chemical UG Research Conference. Tucson, AZ USA -Awarded Poster Commendation |
2011 |
| Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Poster Session. Tucson, AZ USA -Awarded First Place in Poster Contest |
2010 |
| Genetics Society of America 50th Annual Drosophila Conference. Chicago, IL USA | 2009 |
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
| Lecturer | University of Illinois Bees and Beekeeping Short Course University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL USA |
2018 |
| Teaching Assistant | Perl and Unix for Bioinformatics University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL USA |
2017 |
| Teaching Assistant | Genetic Engineering Lab University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL USA |
2015 |
| Guest Lecturer | Behavioral Ecology University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL USA |
2015 |
| Teaching Assistant | Introduction to Statistical Methods | 2010 |
| Preceptor | Biochemistry University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ USA |
2009 |
| Preceptor | Insect Discovery University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ USA |
2009 |
| Preceptor | Environment and Society University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ USA |
2009 |
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
Conference Organizer
Midwest Ecology and Evolution Conference (student-led and focused conference with over 200 attendees).
Urbana, IL USA. 2017.
Symposium Organizer
GEEB Graduate Student Symposium. Urbana, IL USA. 2018.
Entomological Society of America, Entomology Conference. Denver, CO USA. 2017.
Peer Reviewer
Molecular Ecology • Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B • Ecology and Evolution • Philosophical Transactions of
the Royal Society B • Brain, Behavior and Evolution • Journal of Experimental Biology • The Science of Nature • Journal of
Insect Science • Cell & Tissue Research
Society Member
Entomological Society of America • International Union for the Study of Social Insects • Animal Behavior Society • Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution
Workshops
Improving Analysis Workflows with Snakemake. Princeton, NJ USA. 2020.
Research Computing Bootcamp. Princeton, NJ USA. 2019.
NSF Social Evolution and Genome Complexity. Urbana, IL USA. 2017.
Effective Mentoring. Urbana, IL USA. 2017.
RNA-seq with Galaxy and R. Urbana, IL USA. 2017.
Annual Ecdysone Workshop, 51st Annual Drosophila Conference, Washington, DC USA. 2010.
COMMUNITY AND ACADEMIC SERVICE
Pollen Power Girls’ Day Camp, Invited Speaker and Volunteer. Urbana, IL USA. 2017, 2018.
University of Illinois Bees and Beekeeping Short Course. Urbana, IL USA. 2016, 2018.
World of Genomics 3-day event at The Field Museum, Chicago, IL USA; over 15k attendees. 2017.
Brain Awareness Day volunteer. Urbana, IL USA. 2017.
GEEB VP/Treasurer. Urbana, IL USA. 2017-2018.
Judge for Undergraduate Research Symposium. Urbana, IL USA. 2017.
Member of PEEC Graduate Admissions Committee. Urbana, IL USA. 2017.
GEEB webmaster. Urbana, IL USA. 2016-2017.
Student representative on PEEC Steering Committee. Urbana, IL USA. 2015-2016.
Judge for GEEB symposium poster session. Urbana, IL USA. 2016.
Judge for GEEB symposium student talks. Urbana, IL USA. 2015.
Student chair for PEEC student-invited speaker. Urbana, IL USA. 2014-2015
Genome Day volunteer. Urbana, IL USA. 2014, 2015.
Danville Science Night volunteer. Danville, IL USA. 2013.
Pollinatarium volunteer. Urbana, IL USA. 2013-2017.
Capybara Seminar Organizer. Barro Colorado Island, Panama. 2013.
Biochemistry Mentor. Tucson, AZ USA. 2008-2011.
Biochemistry Ambassador. Tucson, AZ USA. 2007-2011.
Honors Shadowcats Recruitment. Tucson, AZ USA. 2006-2008.
Chemistry Club. Tucson, AZ USA. 2006-2007.
