I am a broadly trained Urban Entomologist, with interests in insect physiology, behavior, insecticide resistance, biocontrol and the unique evolutionary adaptations of indoor pests. What motivates my research is developing a biological understanding of insects at multiple levels for improving pest control strategies to better alleviate impacted people. I do this by synthesizing discoveries on different aspects of insect biology into novel techniques for managing problematic urban pests. To achieve my research goals, I take an integrative approach to research, ranging from utilizing observational approaches in the field to experimental and molecular approaches in controlled laboratory settings. I am particularly interested in exploiting life cycle vulnerabilities of urban pests toward the goal of developing innovative and sustainable strategies to manage arthropod populations. I integrate fundamental and basic research concepts with modern teaching and extension programming. Investigating the efficacy of current pest control methodologies and newly introduced products allows me to deliver timely information to stakeholders, as well as prepare students and pest management professionals to use science-based knowledge to solve pest related issues.

2022–Current

Assistant Professor of Urban and Peri-urban Entomology. Louisiana State University.

2020–2022

Post-doctoral Researcher. North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC.

Project: Discovery and enhancement of entomopathogens for management of bed bugs, German cockroaches, and Eastern subterranean termites.

2016–2020

PhD, Entomology. Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN.

Dissertation: Determining the bed bug (Cimex lectularius) response to heat at the population, behavioral, and physiological levels.

2013–2015

MS, Entomology. Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN. 

Thesis: Chlorfenapyr and bifenthrin susceptibility monitoring of field collected bed bug populations from the United States.

2007–2011

BS, Biology. Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI.

Ashbrook A.R., A.R. Mikaelyan, C. Schal. 2022. Comparative efficacy of a fungal entomopathogen with a broad host range against two human-associated pests. Insects, 13, 774. doi.org/10.3390/ insects13090774

Ashbrook A.R., J.L. Feder, M.E. Scharf, G.W. Bennett, and A.D. Gondhalekar. 2021. Characterization of heat exposure-associated escape behaviors and HSP gene expression in bed Bugs (Cimex lectularius L.). Pest Management Science. doi: 10.1002/ps.6620.

Ashbrook, A.R., M.E. Scharf, G.W. Bennett, and A.D. Gondhalekar. 2019. Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius L.) exhibit limited ability to develop heat resistance. PLoS One 14(2): e0211677. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0211677.

Fardisi M., A.D. Gondhalekar, A.R. Ashbrook, and M.E. Scharf. 2019. Rapid evolutionary responses to insecticide resistance management interventions by a global synanthropic pest. Scientific Reports 9: 8292. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-44296-y.

Ashbrook, A.R., M.E. Scharf, G.W. Bennett, and A.D. Gondhalekar. 2017. Detection of reduced susceptibility to chlorfenapyr- and bifenthrin-containing products in field populations of the bed bug (Hemiptera: Cimicidae). Journal of Economic Entomology 110(3): 1195-1202. doi: 10.1093/jee/tox070. (This publication was featured in ESA’s Entomology Today blog).