Episode 94- Biologist Joanne Odden: Wolbachia, Symbiosis and the Origin of Species

Joanne Odden, PhD

Associate Professor of Biology, Pacific University

Today we are joined by Joanne Odden. Joanne studies insect symbiosis and is a tenured Associate Professor of biology at Pacific University. As a teacher scholar, her passion is to examine tiny things (e.g. DNA and bacteria) which drive changes in insects over time. Joanne began her studies at University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, where she received a B.S. in Microbiology and worked at a campus science outreach program. This spurred her inspiration to teach science. She studied the neural development of fruit fly embryos at University of Oregon, where she earned her Ph.D. in Molecular Biology. During her first faculty position at Metropolitan State College of Denver, she developed an undergraduate research program in insect bacterial symbiosis. Joanne earned a Golden Key award for Excellence in Teaching in 2013. Currently, at Pacific University, she studies the evolution of symbiosis. Her model system is the charismatic association of Wolbachia bacteria within carabid beetles. She combines her interests in biology, travel and education by leading travel courses for undergraduate students to the Galapagos Islands and Tahiti.