Dr. Jake Williams
Associate Professor
Ph.D. Miami University, 2005
Office: SW 1270
Research Lab: SW 1360
Phone: (618) 650-2118
E-mail: jasowil@siue.edu
Courses Taught: Animal Physiology (BIOL 340), Physiological Ecology (BIOL 467/563), Entomology (BIOL 483).
Research Interests: My approach to research is to integrate molecular, cellular, and organismal level techniques to study how life has evolved to survive stresses associated with extreme metabolism. In particular, my interests include determining how insects survive the metabolic depression and associated severe cold and desiccating conditions of winter and how oxidative stress may lead to functional senescence and limit lifespan in hypermetabolic insects.
Research Opportunities: Opportunities always exist for highly motivated individuals. For inquiries, please contact me.
Student Research on Bees
Selected Publications
Steck* T.J., Morgan S., Retzlaff W., and Williams J.B. (2015) Insect communities on green roofs that are close in proximity but vary in age and plant coverage. Journal of Living Architecture. 2: 1-11.
Doelling* A.R.W., Griffis* N., and Williams J.B. (2014) Repeated freezing induces oxidative stress and reduces survival in the freeze-tolerant goldenrod gall fly, Eurosta solidaginis. Journal of Insect Physiology. 67, 20-27.
Williams J.B. and Lee R.E. (2011) Effect of freezing and dehydration on ion and cryoprotectant distribution and hemolymph volume in the goldenrod gall fly, Eurosta solidaginis. Journal of Insect Physiology 57, 1163-1169.
Williams J. B., Roberts S.P. and Elekonich M.M. (2009) Heat shock proteins and their role in generating, maintaining and even preventing alternative insect phenotypes. In: Ananthakrishnan, T.N. and Whitman D. (Eds.). Insect Phenotypic Plasticity. Science Publishers Inc., Enfeld New Hampshire.
Vance* T.J., Williams J.B., Roberts S.P. and Elekonich M.M. (2009) The effects of age and behavioral development on the flight performance of honey bees (Apis mellifera). Journal of Experimental Biology 212, 2604-2611.
Williams J.B., Roberts S.P. and Elekonich M.M. (2008) Age and natural metabolically-intensive behavior affect oxidative stress and antioxidant mechanisms. Experimental Gerontology. 43, 538-549.
Williams J.B. and Lee R.E. (2008) Differences in cold tolerance, desiccation resistance, and cryoprotectant production between three populations of Eurosta solidaginis collected from different latitudes. Journal of Comparative Physiology B. 278, 365-375.
Williams J.B. and Lee R.E. (2005) Plant senescence cues entry into diapause in the gall fly, Eurosta solidaginis: resulting metabolic depression is critical for water conservation. Journal of Experimental Biology. 208, 4437-4444.
Williams J.B., Ruehl* N.C. and Lee R.E. (2004) Partial link between seasonal acquisition of cold tolerance and desiccation resistance in the goldenrod gall fly Eurosta solidaginis. Journal of Experimental Biology 207, 4407-4414.
Williams J.B., Shorthouse J.D. and Lee R.E. (2003) Deleterious effects of mild simulated overwintering temperatures on survival and potential fecundity of rose-galling Diplolepis wasps (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae). Journal of Experimental Zoology 298A, 23-31.
Williams J.B., Shorthouse J.D. and Lee R.E. (2002) Extreme resistance to desiccation and microclimate-related differences in cold-hardiness of gall wasps (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) overwintering on roses in southern Canada. Journal of Experimental Biology 205, 2115-2124.
Larsen K.J. and Williams J.B. (1999) Influence of fire and trapping effort on ground beetles in a reconstructed tallgrass prairie. Prairie Naturalist 31, 75-86.
* = denotes student collaborators
