ESA announces museum curator Dr. Jessica Ware as VP-elect

Dr. Jessica Ware

Dr. Jessica Ware, assistant curator of Invertebrate Zoology at the American Museum of Natural History, has been elected by members of the Entomological Society of America (ESA) as the organization’s vice president-elect.

According to a news release, she will begin her term as VP-elect immediately and will then serve as the ESA VP starting in November 2020, president in November 2021, and past president in November 2022.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to serve the Entomological Society of America as vice president-elect,” Dr. Ware tells Pest Management Professional magazine. “Entsoc is a diverse organization with over 7.000 members, and I look forward to representing them. As our society faces current global challenges together, we will continue to work to expand knowledge and appreciation of insects.”

Dr. Ware is currently a member of the ESA’s Governing Board, representing the Systematics, Evolution, and Biodiversity (SysEB) Section. Because Dr. Ware will vacate her position to serve as VP-elect, the SysEB Section will appoint a replacement to serve as its representative for the remainder of her original term.

Dr. Ware’s research centers on the evolution of behavioral and physiological adaptations in insects, with an emphasis on Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) and Dictyoptera (mainly termites and cockroaches). She uses phylogenomics and morphology tools to inform work on reproductive, social, and flight behaviors in insects. Her research has been recognized through awards; she was awarded a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) from the U.S. government.

Dr. Ware earned a bachelor of science degree from the University of British Columbia in Canada, and a doctoral degree from Rutgers University–New Brunswick. She was an NSF postdoctoral fellow at the American Museum of Natural History (2008-2010) and an associate professor of evolutionary biology at Rutgers University–Newark (2010-2019).

She has served as the president of the ESA’s SysEB Section (2014) and has served on several of its ad hoc committees, including task forces (on membership, awards and fellowships, and publications) and committees (Diversity & Inclusion, Thomas Say). Dr. Ware also serves on the Insect Systematics and Diversity editorial board, as well as the boards of several non-ESA journals. She is current president of the Worldwide Dragonfly Association, after serving as secretary for four years.

Nominations are now open for the ESA’s summer Society elections, including leadership roles at the branch, section, and national levels. Nominations are due by June 1 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern. To learn more or submit a nomination, visit the ESA’s Elections and Nominations page.