Welcome!

We are a research group in the Department of Entomology & Plant Pathology at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, studying the fascinating interactions between insects and microbes. Our work spans questions in insect biology, virology, and host-parasite interactions, with the goal of understanding how these relationships initially form, persist over evolutionary time, and ultimately shape agricultural ecosystems.

The lab was established in 2024 by Dr. Kelsey Coffman. Our team includes undergraduate and graduate students, postdocs, and technicians who contribute to a collaborative and dynamic research environment.

Explore this site to learn about who we are, the research we’re doing, and much more!