CAHNRS > People Directory > Dowen Jocson

Dowen Jocson

Pre-License Pesticide Safety Educator

Food Science/Human Nutrition Bldg.

Biography

Dowen Jocson is a Pesticide Safety Educator at Washington State University’s Pesticide Resources and Education Program. She received her PhD in Entomology from Washington State University. Her dissertation focused on the use of substrate-borne vibrations as a mating disruption tool for a major pear pest, the pear psylla, under the guidance of Dr. David Crowder and Dr. Betsy Beers.

She has successfully recorded the male songs produced by the pear psylla, which has not been previously recorded. Songs of C. pyricola sound similar to songs of their close relative C. pyri; both pests of pear.

Dowen received her Master of Science in Biology from Saint Louis University advised by Dr. Kasey Fowler-Finn. Her thesis investigated the temperature effects on mating behaviors of Enchenopa binotata treehoppers. She also received her Bachelor of Science in Biology: Plant Science track from Saint Louis University where she did her undergraduate research on the reproductive success of two color morphs of Viola pedata following controlled burns under the supervision of Dr. Peter Bernhardt.

Pre-License Pesticide Safety Educator

Pesticide Resource and Education Program (PREP)

Washington State University, Pullman, WA

Education

Doctor of Philosophy in Entomology

2018- 2023

Washington State University, Pullman, WA

Dissertation: Use of acoustics as mating disruption in pear psylla

Advisors: Dr. Elizabeth Beers and Dr. David Crowder

GPA: 4.00

Master of Science in Biology

2015- 2017

Department of Biology, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO

Thesis: Influence of temperature on treehopper vibrational signals and preferences

Advisor: Dr. Kasey Fowler-Finn

GPA: 3.80

Bachelor of Science in Biology

2011- 2015

Department of Biology, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO

Plant Science Track

GPA: 3.45

Research and Previous Positions

Substitute Teacher

2018-2018

Ritenour School District, St. Louis, MO

Special Education classroom

Graduate Research Assistant

2015- 2017

Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO

Influence of temperature on treehopper vibrational signals and preferences

PI: Dr. Kasey Fowler-Finn

Undergraduate Research Assistant

2013- 2015

Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO

Reproductive success of bird’s foot violet after controlled burns

PI: Dr. Peter Bernhardt

Academic Activities

Teaching

Pesticide Educator

2022

Pre-license training: Insect and Disease Management

Washington State University, Kennewick, WA

Pesticide Educator

2022

Pre-license training: Insect and Disease Management

Washington State University, Puyallup, WA

Teaching assistant

2018

Entomology 103: Entomology lab for non-science majors

Washington State University, Pullman, WA

Teaching assistant

2015

Biology 110: Principles of Biology I Laboratory

Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO

Teaching assistant

2014

Biology 303: Principles of Genetics

Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO

Media Contact

2022 Washington State University Department of Entomology October Graduate Student Spotlight. https://entomology.wsu.edu/directory/students/student-spotlight-dowen-jocson/
2022 Ask Dr. Universe: How do ants communicate? https://askdruniverse.wsu.edu/2022/08/15/how-do-ants-communicate-with-each-other/
2021 Capital Press coverage of my PhD research, Western Innovator: Controlling Pest with Good Vibrations – https://www.capitalpress.com/ag_sectors/research/western-innovator-controlling-pests-with-good-vibrations/article_956c34e4-f56b-11eb-96cc-6387bfe80636.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=user-share
2020 Featured in a centerfold article called “Psexy Psylla Psongs”, Good Fruit Grower magazine
2019 “Heat Changes Insect Call But It Still Works”. Scientific American. https://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode/heat-changes-insect-call-but-it-still-works/
2015 Saint Louis Public Radio coverage of Master’s thesis research: https://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/good-vibrations-these-bugs-do-their-sexting-plant-stem

Student Activities

University

Professional Development Officer

2022

College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS) Student Senate

Washington State University

Vice President

2022

Entomology Graduate Student Association

Washington State University

President

2021

Entomology Graduate Student Association

Washington State University

President

2020

Entomology Graduate Student Association

Washington State University

Student Lead

2020

Entomology Journal Club

Washington State University

Society

2023 Participated (and placed 2^nd) in Entomology Games. Pacific Branch ESA, Seattle, WA
2022 Participated in Student Debates. Joint Annual Meeting for ESA, ESC, ESCB. Vancouver, BC
2021 Participated in Student Debates. ESA Annual Meeting. Denver, CO
2020 Participated in Entomology Games. Pacific Branch ESA. Virtual
2019 Participated in Entomology Games. Pacific Branch ESA, San Diego, CA

Professional Activities

Professional Societies

2023 Co-organized symposium for the Entomological Society of America national meeting titled “Biotremology, Education, and Art”. National Harbour, MD
2023 Co-organized symposium/workshop for the Entomological Society of America Pacific Branch meeting titled “How to write a DEI statement”. Seattle, WA
2023 Organized symposium for the Entomological Society of America Pacific Branch meeting titled “Insects Impact on our Identities. Seattle, WA
2023 Led student activities for the Entomological Society of America Pacific Branch meeting (Elevator talks, Texting competition, Employment fair, and Entomolympics). Seattle, WA
2022 Entomological Society of America Science Policy Fellow
2022 Organized and moderated Entomolympics in the Joint Annual Meeting of Entomological Society of America PI-E Section Networking Session and Awards Celebration. Vancouver, BC
2022 Led student activities for the Entomological Society of America Pacific Branch meeting (Elevator talks, Texting competition, Employment fair, and created Entomolympics). Santa Rosa, CA
2022 Co-organized a symposium with Dr. Jacquelyn Serrano (USDA-ARS) for the Entomological Society of America Pacific Branch meeting: “Behavioral Manipulation”. Santa Rosa, CA.
2020 Co-organized a symposium with Dr. Rachele Nieri (Oregon State University) for the Entomological Society of America Pacific Branch meeting: “Behavioral Manipulation”. Spokane, WA (Meeting postponed).

University

2022 Search Committee member for the Entomology Endowed Tree Fruit Chair.
2020 Founding member of the Department of Entomology Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.
2020 Faculty Liaison for the Entomology Graduate Student Association.

Community

2022 Community Garden Fair. Outreach and Education table.
2022 Insect Expo: Outreach and Education event.
2022 What’s buzzing at Koppel? A citizen science pollinator event. Outreach presentation in collaboration with the Palouse Conservation District.
2021 Insect Expo: Outreach and Education event.
2021 What’s buzzing at Koppel? A citizen science pollinator event. Outreach presentation in collaboration with the Palouse Conservation District.
2019 Insect Expo: Outreach and Education event.

Research Publication and Presentations

Publications

Jocson, D.I., Gonzales, M.T., Horton, D., Beers, E., Crowder, D. Characterizing substrate-borne vibrational mating signals produced by pear psylla. (In Review: Journal of Insect Behavior)
Fowler-Finn, K.D., Ahuja, S., Hercules, J., Jocson, D.I., Miller, E., Sasson, D. Variation in thermal courtship activity curves is greater across individuals than across populations. (In Review)
Smith, O.M., Jocson, D.I., Lee, B.W., Orpet, R.J., Davis, A.G., Rieser, C.J., Clarke, A.E., Cohen, A.L., Hayes, A.M., Auth, C.A., Bergeron, P.E., Marshall, A.T., Reganold, J.P., Crowder, D.W., Northfield, T.D. Identifying farming strategies associated with achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems.
Jocson, D. 2020. Good Vibrations: A potential IPM strategy for pear psylla (Cacopsylla pyricola). WSU Tree Fruit Extension Center Newsletter. https://tinyurl.com/8e2rys92
Leith, N. T., Jocson, D. I., & Fowler‐Finn, K. D. 2020. Temperature‐related breakdowns in the coordination of mating in Enchenopa binotata treehoppers (Hemiptera: Membracidae). Ethology, 126(9), 870-882.
Jocson, D.I., Smeester, M., Leith, N.T., Macchiano, A., Fowler-Finn, K.D. 2019. Temperature coupling of mate attraction signals and female mate preferences in four populations of Enchenopa treehopper (Hemiptera: Membracidae). Journal of Evolutionary Biology.
Bernhardt, P., Edens-Meier, R., Jocson, D., Zweck, J., Ren, Z., Camilo, G.R., Arduser, M. 2016. Comparative floral ecology of bicolor and concolor morphs of Viola pedata (Violaceae) following controlled burning. Journal of Pollination Ecology.

Presentations

2023 Invited (Un) Plenary speaker | Entomological Society of America North Central and Southwest joint branch meeting. Oklahoma City, OK
2023 Oral Presentation |10-minute Student paper competition. Pacific Branch Entomological Society of America, Seattle, WA
2022 Invited Speaker | Pear IPM Intensive Workshop. Wenatchee, WA
2022 Oral Presentation |10-minute Student paper competition. Joint Annual Meeting Entomological Society of America, Vancouver, BC, Canada
2022 Invited Guest Lecturer | Pesticide Pre-License Training: Insect Control Section. Puyallup, WA.
2022 Invited Guest Lecturer | Pest Control Operator Credit: Arthropod Identification Workshop. Puyallup, WA.
2022 Invited Speaker | Washington State University S.H.A.P.I.N.G. Conference. Graduate School Workshop. Pullman, WA.
2022 Oral Presentation | Applied Biotremology Symposium. 3^rd Annual Biotremology Conference, Piran, Slovenia
Invited Speaker | Dr. Valerio Mazzoni’s lab seminar. Rome, Italy. Virtual
2022 Invited Speaker |Behavioral Manipulation Symposium. Pacific Branch Entomological Society of America, Santa Rosa, CA.
2022 Oral Presentation |10-minute Student paper competition. Pacific Branch Entomological Society of America, Santa Rosa, CA.
2021 Oral Presentation |10-minute Student paper competition. Entomological Society of America, Denver, CO
2021 Oral Presentation |10-minute Student paper competition. Pacific Branch Entomological Society of America. Virtual
2021 Poster | Washington State University Academic Showcase and Graduate and Professional Student Association Research Expo. Virtual
2020 Invited Speaker | Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS) Seattle Luncheon. Virtual
Invited Speaker | North Central Washington Pear Day. Wenatchee, WA
2019 Oral Presentation |10-minute Student paper competition. Entomological Society of America, St. Louis, MO
Panel | Women in Agriculture panel for Washington legislative staff, Pullman, WA
Invited Speaker | Tree Fruit Research Extension Center Sunrise Field Day, Wenatchee, WA
Poster Presentation| Pacific Branch Entomological Society of America, San Diego, CA
Guest Speaker | Academy of Science St. Louis, St. Louis Public Library, St. Louis, MO
2017 Poster | Animal Behavior Society Conference at the University of Toronto-Scarborough, Toronto, Canada
Poster | SLEEC, Principia College, Elsah, IL
2016 Oral Presentation | Animal Behavior Society Conference at University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
2016 Poster | Graduate Student Association Symposium, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO
2015 Poster | SLEEC (Saint Louis Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation) Retreat, Saint Louis Zoo, St. Louis, MO

Research Support

2021 USDA NIFA Predoctoral Fellowship, “Using Vibrational Communication for Mating Disruption and Pest Management” (awarded $180,000)
2020 Washington State Commission on Pesticide Registration 2021 Funding. PI: David Crowder (awarded $24,768)
2019 USDA Innovation fund. PI: David Horton (~$20,000)
2018 Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS) Foundation Fellowship, Seattle Chapter (awarded $17,500)
2017 National Science Foundation, NSF IOS-1656818: Genetic change and genetic accommodation allow singing insects to adapt to temperature change. PI: Kasey Fowler-Finn; Data contributor (awarded ~$500,000)
2017 Reis Research Award for field work at the Reis Biological Station (awarded $600)

Awards and Honors

2023 Washington State University President’s Award for Leadership
2023 John Henry Comstock Award for the Pacific Branch of the Entomological Society of America
2022 President’s Prize 1^st Place in the PhD 10-minute Paper competition for PI-E Field Crops, Joint Annual Meeting Entomological Society of America, Vancouver, BC, Canada
2022 Overall runner-up team for Student Debates, Joint Annual Meeting Entomological Society of America, Vancouver, BC, Canada
2022 Outstanding PhD Student of the Year for the Department of Entomology in Washington State University (awarded $2000)
2022 Finalist of 3-Minute Thesis for the Department of Entomology in Washington State University (awarded $200)
2021 President’s Prize 1^st Place in the PhD 10-minute Paper competition for PI-E Field Crops, Entomological Society of America, Denver, CO
2021 Overall runner-up team for Student Debates, Entomological Society of America, Denver, CO
2021 Washington State University Department of Entomology Travel Grant (awarded $922)
2021 Washington State University Entomology Graduate Student Association Mini Grant (awarded $250)
2021 ARCS Dorothy Lewis Simpson Leadership Award (awarded $5000)
2021 1^st Place in the PhD 10-minute Paper competition, Pacific Branch Entomological Society of America (awarded $200)
2021 3^rd Place in Graduate and Professional Student Association Research Expo (awarded $300)
2021 Honorable Mention in 3-Minute Thesis for the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences in Washington State University. (awarded $100)
2021 Finalist of 3-Minute Thesis for the Department of Entomology in Washington State University (awarded $200)
2020 Winner of 3-Minute Thesis for the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences in Washington State University. (awarded $1000)
2020 Finalist of 3-Minute Thesis for the Department of Entomology in Washington State University (awarded $200)
2019 Pacific Branch Entomological Society of America Travel Grant (awarded $200)
2019 Washington State University Department of Entomology Travel Grant (awarded $150)
2019 Washington State University Entomology Graduate Student Association Mini Grant (awarded $100)
2017 Graduate Student of the Year for the Department of Biology, Saint Louis University (awarded $150)

Professional Society Membership

2018-present Entomological Society of America
Animal Behaviour Society