She’s a Natural

Annemarie Nagle has many interests: evolution, forestry, ecology and horticultural pathology. Growing up working summers on her family's sustainable harvested tree farm, Annemarie’s fascinated with integrating disease ecology with practical management and containment practices and is majoring in biology with a minor in environmental science and studies so that she can put her passion to work. A member of the Carolina Class of 2007, she hopes to one day make a contribution to the human quality of life, and at the same time improve the quality and treatment of our natural resources. That’s a tall order, but then thinking at that level comes naturally to Annemarie.

Over the last two years, Annemarie has fueled her enthusiasm for science by working in the lab with Joel Kingsolver, UNC Professor and a leader in the field evolutionary biology. In Kingsolver’s lab, researchers study the evolutionary divergence of life history characteristics—body size, development time, survival and over wintering strategies—between wild hornworms and their “domesticated” counterparts, hornworms that have been reproducing in captivity since the 1960s. They also examine the effect that different diets and varying temperatures have on caterpillar survival and development, gaining insight into how evolution takes place. Additionally, their studies enable them to explore the implications of global warming and its effect on the insect world.

In addition to her work with Dr. Kingsolver, Annemarie has conducted independent research on the cabbage white caterpillar to determine if this organism actively positions itself on a plant to regulate its body temperature. Because higher temperatures generally produce higher growth rates in cold-blooded animals, basking in light would be a good way to raise body temperature, grow faster and avoid predators by metamorphosing earlier. Her study did not show evidence of thermoregulation, prompting her to conclude that caterpillars that remained hidden in the shade from potential predators may provide them with better survival results than lazing in the sun.

As for life after Carolina, Annemarie plans to head to graduate school and work towards a Ph.D. Wherever she goes and whatever she does, Annemarie’s prepared because at Carolina she’s made the most of the opportunities available to her and any other undergraduate who has a passion for research. She’s had high-quality instruction, close proximity to breaking science and access to faculty who pride themselves on mentoring the next generation of scientists.

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