Leigh Boardman
Assistant Professor
About Dr. Boardman
After completing honors research in psychiatric genetics, she switched research fields and completed her PhD in insect physiology. For her dissertation, she integrated organismal insect physiology perspectives with molecular biology techniques to study mechanisms of cold tolerance and cross tolerance in false codling moth larvae (a widespread southern African pest of citrus fruit). She continued her research career with postdoctoral research, first at Stellenbosch University (South Africa), and later at University of Florida before joining the Department in Fall 2021. The Boardman Lab will focus on evolutionary and physiological ecology of arthropods. Projects will aim to improve the mechanistic understanding of how arthropods live in environments where they must cope with multiple simultaneous stresses (e.g., changes in temperature, oxygen, and/or water availability). This research can be applied to improve predictions of the effects of climate change and invasive species spread, and improve the efficacy of chemical-free pest management strategies. Dr. Boardman teaches Extreme Biology (BIOL4098/6098), and the Ecology section of General Biology II (BIOL1120).
Education
B.Sc. Human Life Sciences, B.Med.Sci (Hons) Human Genetics, Ph.D. in Entomology (Stellenbosch University); Post-Doc, Stellenbosch University and University of Florida.
Research Interests
- Stress tolerance in arthropods
- Applications of stress physiology for invasion biology, and chemical-free insect control
- Biogeography