Fellowship Focus: Entomology fellowship leads Amelia McGinnis to graduate school at CANR
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EmailDiscovering her passion for research as an undergraduate Lansing Community College student through the Entomology Research and Outreach Fellowship, Amelia McGinnis is now pursuing her Ph.D. in the Department of Entomology.
Amelia McGinnis was introduced to entomology through the MSU Entomology Research and Outreach Fellowship (EROF) and was drawn to its many wide-ranging, interdisciplinary applications. An undergraduate student at Lansing Community College (LCC), she was one of three students selected in 2023 as part of the EROF program.
An experiential summer program supported by private funding from the Tatter family, the EROF is open to undergraduate students from any college or university. Working alongside world-class researchers at MSU, the EROF offers hands-on research and community outreach experiences to students who might not otherwise have access to such opportunities.
McGinnis worked with Professor and Department of Entomology Chair Hannah Burrack as well as graduate student DeShae Dillard during her time as a fellow. At the conclusion of her fellowship, McGinnis transferred to MSU to pursue a bachelor’s degree in plant biology and continued her work with Burrack and Dillard.
Driven to continue her studies after graduation, McGinnis began developing research questions she hoped to explore further in graduate school. She applied to the Entomology Department and was admitted in the fall of 2025.
Department Chair Dr. Hannah Burrack emphasized the importance of fellowship support in cultivating the next generation of scientific leaders, like McGinnis. “Fellowships like EROF are essential to unlocking opportunities for talented students who may not otherwise have access to entomology training and opportunities,” said Burrack. “They not only provide financial support, but also mentorship and hands-on experience that can propel a student’s academic and career trajectory.”
McGinnis credits the EROF program for igniting her interest in graduate-level research and deepening her commitment to the field. “My experience as a fellow was my introduction to both research and MSU. It shaped my interest in entomology and ultimately led to my decision to enter graduate school.”
Her current doctoral research focuses on plant-insect interactions, with an emphasis on comparing bee and fly pollination across Michigan prairies using a quality-versus-quantity pollination framework. “Insects play many important roles in our world,” said McGinnis, “through studying entomology, you gain a unique way to explore many different disciplines of science, including ecology, conservation, taxonomy, pathology, pest management and sociology.”
Since being admitted to the Department of Entomology’s graduate program, McGinnis has been awarded the Academic Achievement Graduate Award (AAGA) from the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) to support her first year of studies as well as a Engagement Fellowship from the Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior (EEB) Program. “The fellowships I have received have allowed me to continue my education and have given me the chance to explore the scientific questions I am interested in asking,” said McGinnis. “I am extremely grateful for the resources and support these opportunities have provided me.”
McGinnis hopes to find a career that will allow her to continue pursuing her research ambitions following the completion of her Ph.D. She encourages students to actively connect with faculty and current graduate students in their department in order to find mentors and partners. “Entomology is a field that bridges many different areas of science,” she said, “so it’s important to seek out who is asking the types of questions you’re interested in exploring.”
You can learn more about the Entomology Research and Outreach Fellowship here. If you are interested in supporting fellowship opportunities for CANR students, contact Brittany Lawrence at mill2849@msu.edu.
