Hailey Shanovich

What’s your hometown?

I am from a town about an hour northwest of Milwaukee and a half hour from Lake Michigan. I grew up camping in the Kettle Moraine State Forest and State Parks in that area where I gained a huge appreciation for plants and animals (which insects are!).

What are you currently working on?

I am currently working on uncovering aspects of understudied native insect ecology. I study the life cycles, or phenology, of insects associated with our native hazelnut species in Minnesota, including their predators and parasites. So little is known about insects that are either not economically viable (i.e., not pests or pollinators) and or not eye-catchingly aesthetic (e.g., dragonflies, ladybugs, etc.).

What is your favorite aspect of your research/work?

My favorite aspects of my research are being outside collecting data in forests and disseminating my findings to audiences. I really like talking to people about nature and science.

Where are you working on research/field work?

I am mostly doing field work at University of Minnesota – Agricultural Research Stations but also doing research on some landowners properties.

What would be the 5 song soundtrack to your research work/What 5 songs do you listen to most while you work?

Probably the whole new album by Big Thief: Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You.