Professor & Associate Department Chair for Evolutionary Psychology
Dr. Dan Hahn specializes in ecological and evolutionary physiology. His scientific work focuses on rapid adaptation, phenotypic plasticity, and seasonal biology of insects both from basic research and applied agricultural perspectives. His lab is particularly interested in understanding the fundamental mechanisms underlying hardiness to environmental stress, predicting winners and losers in the face of climate change, and improving environmentally friendly methods for insect pest control including biological control and phytosanitary treatments for commodities.
Dr. Hahn is conducting ongoing research into the Seasonal Adaptation of ectotherms and the Adaptive Radiation in Insect-Host Relationships in regards to pest management.
Professor & Director of the Biosecurity Research & Extension (BRE) Lab & the Doctor of Plant Medicine (DPM) Program
Dr. Amanda Hodges’ research and extension interests focus on invasive arthropod species of potential concern to Florida’s landscape, natural areas, and agriculture. Invasive Hemipteran pests of potential concern are the focal model organisms of interest, and consequently, research related to the diagnostics and pest management of similar species in Florida’s agricultural and natural areas may also occur.
She is known for delivering innovative, hands-on plant pest diagnostic workshops in Florida, the southern region of the U.S., and the Caribbean. Dr. Hodges also provided initial key leadership for the launch of the National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN) online First Detector training program and the Protect U.S., Community Invasive Species Network Program.
During the 2011 meeting of the NPDN, Dr. Hodges was recognized as one of the team members involved in establishing the NPDN Partner Program, the Sentinel Plant Network, Dr. Hodges currently coordinates the Florida First Detector project, the Protect U.S. Program, and taxonomic training in support of the University of Florida, SPDN regional center mission. Dr. Hodges’ projects often encompass interdisciplinary teams and multiple institutions.