Birds
What bird learned to use traffic to help them crack open nuts?
Crows!
Michele plans to continue her hobby of birdwatching in retirement which she began at what age?
teenager or preteen!
Michele helped start which event at UDC?
The Volunteer Appreciation Event!
Michele was a teacher for 6 years, did she teach: elementary, middle or high school?
elementary school!
What does Michele have her Masters Degree in?
Entomology and Elementary Education
Which kind of bird has such a strong sense of smell that they are used to help identify gas leaks?
turkey vultures
Where does Michele plan to move in her retirement?
Bel Air, MD
For how many years did Michele work at UDC?
4?
At what museum did Michele work at in Philadelphia?
Academy of Natural Sciences
House flies smell with their feet, and are how many times more sensitive then a human tongue?
10 million
What is one of Michele's favorite birds?
cedar waxwing or veery
What are 4 things Michele is excited about doing in her retirement?
Travel, water color painting, bird watching, time with friends and family, volunteering, photography, reading, jigsaw puzzles
Michele spent too much time fighting with which tech platform?
Golden Volunteer!
What animals did she work with as part of an outreach program for a museum? Name 2!
birds of prey, skunks, opossums, alligators, parrots, snakes, quati
What are Michele's favorite type of insects?
Beetles!
How fast can hummingbirds flap their wings? (per second or per minute)
70 bps or 12,000 bpm
What are 2 places that Michele already has plans to travel to?
Costa Rica, Ireland, and driving across the country
List 2 things we are going to miss about Michele at UDC
Her supportiveness, dependability, kindness.... and more!
In what jobs did Michele use her knowledge of bugs?
She was an Integrated Pest Management Scout for Rutgers University and did quality assurance for a pesticide company.
What do many insects do to survive the winter?
many insects replace their body water with a chemical called glycerol, which acts as an "antifreeze" against the temperatures.
How fast can peregrine falcons dive?
240 mph+
What are two potential places where Michele would like to volunteer in retirement?
Therapeutic horseback riding, hospice, animal shelter, or a library
What made UDC unique in comparison to other places she worked during her career?
First time at a Land Grant University, HBCU, etc.
What are some philosophies that Michele used to guide her career, that you maybe could notice as her colleague and that we can also learn from?
- Do your best every day.
- Don't be afraid to try new things and expand your career.
- Expand your network and build relationships with colleagues
- Be friendly and supportive
- You get out of your career what you put into it
Around how many different species of insect have been named?
1.5 million!