Person

Dewayne Shoemaker

Professor & Head | Entomology and Plant Pathology

Specialization: Population and Evolutionary Genetics/Genomics of Insects

Overview

In August 2016, I became a part of the Entomology and Plant Pathology Department at UTIA. Prior to joining, I dedicated ten years at the USDA Agricultural Research Service, focusing on the study of fire ant biology and natural history. Before that, I held academic positions at Western Michigan University (1998-2002) and the University of Wisconsin (2002-2006). Throughout my career, I specialized in teaching Introductory Genetics, Evolutionary Genetics, and Molecular Evolution. Additionally, I spent nearly four years as a postdoctoral research associate at three different institutions.

I earned my Ph.D. from the University of Georgia, specializing in entomology under the guidance of Dr. Ken Ross. My research primarily centers on functional, population, and evolutionary genomics of fire ants (genus Solenopsis), though I've also explored other systems throughout my career.

Mentorship is a cornerstone of my approach, seamlessly weaving together my teaching and research duties. Over time, I've guided postdoctoral associates and graduate students and contributed to over 15 graduate committees. Actively involving undergraduates is also a key aspect of my work, with them playing vital roles in nearly all my studies.

I am dedicated to advancing diversity in science and have a proven track record of mentoring and recruiting students from STEM-underrepresented groups.


Research Focus

A central concern to evolutionary biology is understanding the evolutionary, ecological, and historical processes responsible for the patterns of diversity observed in nature. One main goal of my research is to contribute to this understanding.

Teaching Focus

In today's fast-paced world, it's impossible to know everything. We must be prepared to learn new skills as they become necessary. As an educator, I see my role as not only imparting knowledge but also cultivating critical and independent thinking.

Outreach Focus

I consider outreach an important facet of teaching. I've crafted engaging outdoor science lessons for a middle school in Gainesville, Florida. I was also involved in two citizen science projects, a collaborative research approach with the public.

Research Questions
  • How do invasive species adapt to new environments?
  • What genomic changes occur when a species invades a new habitat?
  • What are the genetic underpinnings of complex social behaviors?
  • What is the genetic architecture (number, distribution, and effects of genes) of species differences?
  • What are the consequences of hybridization and admixture between different species?
Courses
Below are courses taught during the current or past three academic years. Consult Timetable for the most current listing of courses and instructor(s).
AGNR 491 - International Experience in Agriculture and Natural Resources
1 - 12 credit hours

Credit for formalized international experiences related to agricultural sciences and natural resources. Determination of credit based on nature of the proposed experience. Students should discuss the opportunity with their faculty advisors prior to the trip to determine if it is appropriate for credit. Credit hours will be determined by the department and college depending on the extent of activity and types of projects and/or presentations to be completed by the student upon return.

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 12 hours.
Registration Permission: Consent of instructor.

Other Instructors: Ader, David Russell | Guerry, Denita Hadziabdic | Sharp, Ryan Leonard

EPP 123 - Chocolate: Bean to Bar
3 credit hour(s)

Chocolate is one of the most popular foods in the world. More than 50 million people worldwide currently depend on chocolate (cacao) for their livelihood. Surprisingly, most people know very little about where chocolate comes from, the global impacts on various cultures, both historically and currently, or what “real” chocolate actually tastes like, despite the long history and association with chocolate. This course will introduce students to chocolate – the cacao plant and its associated pests and diseases, the underlying science, its history, and the impacts on past and current societies and cultures. Satisfies Volunteer Core Requirement: (GCI) Satisfies General Education Requirement through the 2021-2022 academic catalog: (CC)

EPP 531 - Special Problems in Entomology, Nematology and Plant Pathology
1 - 3 credit hours

Comprehensive individual study of current problems.

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 9 hours.

Other Instructors: Trigiano, Robert N | Gwinn, Kimberly D

EPP 570 - Entomology and Plant Pathology Colloquium
1 credit hour(s)

Will focus on professional development and other essential topics for new Graduate Students, who are enrolled in a graduate academic program in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology.

Other Instructors: Ownley, Bonnie H

EPP 603 - Research Planning
1 - 15 credit hours

Preliminary research and investigation of dissertation research topic.

Grading Restriction: Satisfactory/No Credit grading only.
Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 15 hours.
Registration Restriction(s): PhD students only. Minimum student level - graduate.

Picture of Dewayne Shoemaker
371 Plant Biotechnology Building
2505 E J Chapman Drive
Knoxville, TN 37996-4560
Education and Training
  • Doctorate, Plant Sciences, General, University of Georgia, 1995
Responsible Area(s)
  • Agriculture and Natural Resources

Dewayne Shoemaker

Professor & Head | Entomology and Plant Pathology
Picture of Dewayne Shoemaker image
371 Plant Biotechnology Building
2505 E J Chapman Drive
Knoxville, TN 37996-4560
Education and Training
  • Doctorate, Plant Sciences, General, University of Georgia, 1995
Responsible Area(s)
  • Agriculture and Natural Resources
Overview

In August 2016, I became a part of the Entomology and Plant Pathology Department at UTIA. Prior to joining, I dedicated ten years at the USDA Agricultural Research Service, focusing on the study of fire ant biology and natural history. Before that, I held academic positions at Western Michigan University (1998-2002) and the University of Wisconsin (2002-2006). Throughout my career, I specialized in teaching Introductory Genetics, Evolutionary Genetics, and Molecular Evolution. Additionally, I spent nearly four years as a postdoctoral research associate at three different institutions.

I earned my Ph.D. from the University of Georgia, specializing in entomology under the guidance of Dr. Ken Ross. My research primarily centers on functional, population, and evolutionary genomics of fire ants (genus Solenopsis), though I've also explored other systems throughout my career.

Mentorship is a cornerstone of my approach, seamlessly weaving together my teaching and research duties. Over time, I've guided postdoctoral associates and graduate students and contributed to over 15 graduate committees. Actively involving undergraduates is also a key aspect of my work, with them playing vital roles in nearly all my studies.

I am dedicated to advancing diversity in science and have a proven track record of mentoring and recruiting students from STEM-underrepresented groups.


Research Focus

A central concern to evolutionary biology is understanding the evolutionary, ecological, and historical processes responsible for the patterns of diversity observed in nature. One main goal of my research is to contribute to this understanding.

Teaching Focus

In today's fast-paced world, it's impossible to know everything. We must be prepared to learn new skills as they become necessary. As an educator, I see my role as not only imparting knowledge but also cultivating critical and independent thinking.

Outreach Focus

I consider outreach an important facet of teaching. I've crafted engaging outdoor science lessons for a middle school in Gainesville, Florida. I was also involved in two citizen science projects, a collaborative research approach with the public.

Research Questions
  • How do invasive species adapt to new environments?
  • What genomic changes occur when a species invades a new habitat?
  • What are the genetic underpinnings of complex social behaviors?
  • What is the genetic architecture (number, distribution, and effects of genes) of species differences?
  • What are the consequences of hybridization and admixture between different species?
Courses
Below are courses taught during the current or past three academic years. Consult Timetable for the most current listing of courses and instructor(s).
AGNR 491 - International Experience in Agriculture and Natural Resources
1 - 12 credit hours

Credit for formalized international experiences related to agricultural sciences and natural resources. Determination of credit based on nature of the proposed experience. Students should discuss the opportunity with their faculty advisors prior to the trip to determine if it is appropriate for credit. Credit hours will be determined by the department and college depending on the extent of activity and types of projects and/or presentations to be completed by the student upon return.

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 12 hours.
Registration Permission: Consent of instructor.

Other Instructors: Ader, David Russell | Guerry, Denita Hadziabdic | Sharp, Ryan Leonard

EPP 123 - Chocolate: Bean to Bar
3 credit hour(s)

Chocolate is one of the most popular foods in the world. More than 50 million people worldwide currently depend on chocolate (cacao) for their livelihood. Surprisingly, most people know very little about where chocolate comes from, the global impacts on various cultures, both historically and currently, or what “real” chocolate actually tastes like, despite the long history and association with chocolate. This course will introduce students to chocolate – the cacao plant and its associated pests and diseases, the underlying science, its history, and the impacts on past and current societies and cultures. Satisfies Volunteer Core Requirement: (GCI) Satisfies General Education Requirement through the 2021-2022 academic catalog: (CC)

EPP 531 - Special Problems in Entomology, Nematology and Plant Pathology
1 - 3 credit hours

Comprehensive individual study of current problems.

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 9 hours.

Other Instructors: Trigiano, Robert N | Gwinn, Kimberly D

EPP 570 - Entomology and Plant Pathology Colloquium
1 credit hour(s)

Will focus on professional development and other essential topics for new Graduate Students, who are enrolled in a graduate academic program in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology.

Other Instructors: Ownley, Bonnie H

EPP 603 - Research Planning
1 - 15 credit hours

Preliminary research and investigation of dissertation research topic.

Grading Restriction: Satisfactory/No Credit grading only.
Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 15 hours.
Registration Restriction(s): PhD students only. Minimum student level - graduate.