Josephine Antwi, Ph. D.
Assistant Professor of Biology
430 Jepson Sciences Center
University of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Office Phone: (540) 654-1418
jantwi@umw.edu
Dr. Josephine Antwi is an Entomologist who holds a Ph.D. from Texas A&M University. Josephine joined the Biology faculty as a full-time, tenure-track faculty member in 2018. Josephine’s research uses an interdisciplinary approach including, molecular, evolutionary, and microbiology to address ecological factors shaping plant-insect interactions in agro- and natural ecosystems. In agro-ecosystems, her research addresses various questions on the effects that sucking-piercing insect pests have on crops of economic importance. Insect pests of interest include cotton fleahopper (Pseudatomoscelis seriatus), various Lygus species, sugarcane aphid (Melanaphis sacchari), and spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula). Crops of interest include cotton, sorghum, and potatoes. In natural ecosystems, she explores the impacts of urbanization on insect pollinators. Current research projects in Josephine’s lab include identifying microbial control agents for the spotted lanternfly and assessing the impact of urban green spaces on the assemblages of insect pollinators.
Dr. Antwi teaches Entomology (Biol 323), Invertebrate Zoology (Biol 321), Introduction to Ecology & Evolution (Biol 210), and Biological Concepts (Biol 121)