University of Wisconsin–Madison
Emma Terris

Emma Terris

Emma Terris

Education & Background:

  • Ph.D. Student in Entomology
  • 2024 M.S. in Agroecology and Entomology, University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • 2022 B.S. in Genetics and Genomics, University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • 2022 B.A. in Spanish, University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • 2022 Certificate in Global Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Awards:

  • 2025 Wisconsin Potato Industry Board (WPIB) – Wisconsin Distinguished Graduate Fellowship
Photo of Emma Terris (awardee) receiving the Wisconsin Distinguished Graduate Fellowship, pictured with her advisors Russ Groves and Sean Schoville
From left, Russ Groves, professor of entomology, Emma Terris, recipient of the Wisconsin Potato Industry Board (WPIB) Distinguished Graduate Fellowship, and Sean Schoville, Entomology, Robert R. Spitzer Teaching Excellence Award, during the 2025 CALS Awards at UW–Madison’s Union South in Madison, Wis., Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

Photo by Michael P. King/UW–Madison CALS

Research Interests:

In general, I am really interested in how people and the environment interact and more specifically the effect of agriculture on global health. To be honest, there are so many interesting topics to research and discover, it’s hard to narrow down my interests!

During the 2022-2023 year I will be studying nervous system tissue of the Colorado potato beetles (Leptinotarsa decemlineata) from various environmental conditions and areas, investigating the differences on a genetic basis.

Personal Interests:

I really enjoy anything on the water, growing up in Minnesota there was no shortage of lakes and watersports! I also like to play tennis, bake bread, try new restaurants, and run on trails around Madison. Recently I have taken up trying to golf, but need to practice a lot more before it becomes enjoyable.