ECOLOGY & CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
IN THE MILLER LAB
Curriculum Vitae PDF
Education
B.A., Environmental Studies, Lawrence University (2013) - magna cum laude
Research Interests
My research focuses on a new diverse agroforestry system in the Midwest, premised on using elements from native ecosystems to increase biodiversity in ways that serve farmers and advance regional conservation goals. As an insect ecologist, I’m interested in the communities of insect pests, predators, and pollinators that develop in agroforests and provide services (and disservices!) to farmers in these systems. More broadly, I’m fascinated by the unique cultural-ecological assemblages that develop around regional farming systems, and I’m excited to be involved in the design and evolution of a new system in the Midwest.
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Personal Interests
I spend most of my time hanging out with my partner Alex and our three rats. I read a lot, in fantasy, environmental history, and history of science, and I’m interested in exploring connections between those fields in nonfiction and fiction writing as well. I run a Tumblr about plants in movies.
Project
Dynamics of Insect Communities in a Diverse Agroforestry System
Presentations
Kranz, A., C. Mattia, A. Hiatt, A., and K. Wolz. Insect communities in a diverse agroforest. North American Agroforestry Conference, Ames, Iowa. June, 2015. (poster presentation)
Contact
Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Sciences
University of Illinois
W411 Turner Hall
1102 S. Goodwin Ave.
Urbana, IL 61801
akrnz@illinois.edu