Ecologist, Bug Nerd, Science Communicator…
Hi, I’m Kelly!
I love insects and arachnids. Are you thinking “yuck” right now? I know, I get it, “bugs” are weird. They have too many legs. What’s up with those soulless compound eyes? Some are way too fast! No shame in discomfort you can’t control.
But hear me out! These little guys and gals are incredibly important to the ecosystems they live in and to us. We rely on pollinators to produce food for us, the beauty of a butterfly passing by warms the heart, the strength of a spider’s web has inspired incredible technologies in many fields. Indigenous peoples around the world have been using arthropods as a food source and in traditional medicine for thousands of years.
From the cellar spider in your bathroom to the ladybug in your garden, we live with them and they with us. Dare I say, mostly in harmony (sorry, mosquitoes).
As a science communicator, one of my goals is to help non-buggy people get comfortable or at least knowledgeable about the critters they will come across in every day life and why they matter. We are a part of the natural world, regardless of the structures we put up or the bug sprays we use. I’m here to emphasize that connection, hopefully forge some human-arthropod friendships, and have a good time doing it!
Check out my podcast…
I also love comics, Sci-Fi, and fantasy! And if I can loop any of that into scicomm, I do. I have a podcast called Bugs Need Heroes where each episode I chat with Amanda Niday (a very talented illustrator) about a “bug” and its folklore, incredible abilities, how they affect human culture, and their fascinating life history. While we chat Amanda creates a hero based on that “bug.” Everyone gets the “Spider-Man treatment” - their own power set, costume, and sometimes origin stories. The artwork can be found on our social media (please see the link to the podcast website above).
We have had the absolute joy of recording “Bugs Need Heroes” since 2021, publishing over 70 episodes and counting. And it’s not just me and Amanda, we also invite experts on to talk about the “bug” of their choice. We’ve interviewed terrestrial isopod experts, plant experts, Norse mythology historians, extension service entomologists - if you can talk about or around bugs we’d love to have you! We are also fairly fast and loose with what we consider a “bug” (looking at you, mantis shrimp episode).
Speaking of comics…
In my free time I absolutely love speaking at comic conventions! I’ve had the opportunity to do so in 4 states in the U.S., spreading fun science facts as I go. I am available to give these panel talks to your high school, university, comic con, or wherever you’d like to hear it! Feel free to e-mail me (Contact Page). I have 2 panels specifically about the science of super heroes, “Wolverines Don’t Howl” and “Whatever A Spider Can.” If Star Wars is your jam (and oh is it mine) you can book me, and my nerdy pal Dr. Ped Daneshgar, to talk about the biology of some of your favorite characters in our talk “Are You Sidious? The Biology of Species in a Galaxy Far Far Away.” I have also developed a talk to discuss queerness in nature, and would be happy to give that talk at any LGBTQA+ convention or wherever it would be beneficial to hear it. If you have an event and an idea for a different talk you want me to do, I am all ears (or tympanal membranes for the bugs nerds).
“Wolverine’s Don’t Howl” Panel
“Comics notoriously play fast and loose with the sciences, not excluding zoology. In this panel, we'll discuss animal-themed superheroes and how their powers diverge from their inspirations. Join an exterminator, a veterinarian, and an ecologist as they discuss why Doctor Octopus should be a bigger deal and why every batsuit needs nipples.”
“Whatever A Spider Can” Panel
"Spider-man is easily one of the most popular superheroes, but some consider actual spiders to be a menace. We discuss and compare the great powers of our friendly neighborhood spiders’ silk, venom, and spectacular spider-senses to our favorite webslinger. This panel will contain pictures of spiders."
Thank you to Monmouth University for writing an article about my panel discussion with Dr. Pedram Daneshgar at the Garden State Comic con:
“Are You Sidious? The Biology of Species in a Galaxy Far Far Away” Panel
“Hey force users and friends from the dark side, have you ever found yourself watching Star Wars wondering if what you see on screen could be real? Join Ecologists Dr. Ped Daneshgar and Dr. Kelly Zimmerman as they explore the Biology of species from a galaxy far far away. They will examine various species in Star Wars and use what they know about the Biology and Ecology of species on Earth to determine if the characters we love make any sense. They’ll ask questions like, why are there Banthas on Tatooine? What are those things on Ahsoka Tano’s head? What does it mean for our favorite wookie, Chewbacca, to be covered in hair? How does Jabba the Hutt move around and how much does he eat? Can Admiral Ackbar live out of the water? Ped and Kelly will take questions from the audience as well.”
“Queerness in Nature”
“Queerness is not restricted to humans and occurs throughout the natural world. Due to nature’s rich diversity, many interactions are observed and scientists are not limited to describing other organisms’ behavior through a cis-gender heteronormative lens. Queerness challenges traditional social and familial structures in nature just as it does in humans, creating functional relationships that serve vital ecological roles. We see this in many forms, in many species, as it is a natural state of being. From the smallest plants to some of the largest animals, there is great diversity in sexual behaviors, coupling, social structures, and shifting between sexes. Join a wildlife ecologist and a plant ecologist as they dive into the different aspects of how queerness reveals itself in nature.”