Susan Whitehead

Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences
whitehead
408 Latham Hall (MC 0309)
220 Ag Quad Lane
Blacksburg, VA 24061
USA
swhitehead@vt.edu
(540) 231-2137

Major Field of Interest

Evolutionary Ecology of Plant Interactions

Current Research

  1. Plant evolutionary responses to multi-species interactions
  2. Chemical ecology of seed dispersal and fruit defense
  3. Domestication and plant defense
  4. Agricultural applications of chemical ecology
  • 2014-2016 Post-doctoral Research Associate, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, Department of Entomology. Advisor: Katja Poveda
  • 2013 Ph.D., Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology., University of Colorado, Boulder, CO. Advisor: M. Deane Bowers. Dissertation: Ecological costs and benefits of secondary metabolites in animal-dispersed fruits
  • 2010 Research Assistant • Human Microbiome Project, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Colorado, Supervisor: Rob Knight
  • 2008-2009 Science Discovery Wilderness Camp Staff • University of Colorado. "Wolves and Wilderness", Ages 9-13 • Summer 2008. "Pacific Northwest Marine Science Trek", Ages 13-17 • Summer 2008-2009
  • 2006 Field Geologist • geophysical surveys of northern Minnesota wetlands
  • 2003 Research Technician, Floristic Inventory of Madidi National Park, Bolivia, Supervisor: Peter Jørgensen, Missouri Botanical Garden2001 B.A., Biology, Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH
  • 1999 Environmental Education Intern • Wintergreen Nature Foundation, VA
  • 1999 Research Technician • point count surveys of bird communities in Wintergreen, VA, Supervisor: Dr. Ruth Beck, College of William and Mary