Meet Kassie Hollabaugh, a doctoral candidate who has dedicated her graduate studies to the art of teaching and mentoring. Originally from Warren, Pennsylvania, Hollabaugh moved to Knoxville in 2015 to pursue her education at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. In 2019, she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences, specializing in ecology and evolutionary biology, and minoring in wildlife and fisheries science. Remaining at UTK, Hollabaugh delved deeper into her studies, earning a master’s degree in entomology and plant pathology in 2022. She’s set to complete her doctorate in December of 2023. Her current research explores how a fungus interacts with insects and plants. Hollabaugh’s strong passion for teaching has flourished over the years, making her a dedicated educator and mentor to future generations.

Q&A with Kassie Hollabaugh

Can you tell me a little bit about yourself?
I am originally from Warren, Pennsylvania. I moved to Knoxville in 2015 and began attending UTK. In 2019, I graduated with a bachelor of science degree in biological sciences with a concentration in ecology and evolutionary biology and a minor in wildlife and fisheries science. I then remained at UTK to complete a concurrent M.S. and Ph.D. program in the EPP department. I graduated in 2022 with a master’s in entomology and plant pathology with a concentration in entomology. I will graduate with my doctorate in December of 2023. Throughout my undergraduate and graduate careers, my passion for teaching and educating future generations has grown tremendously.

What is your current concentration?
My current concentration is Organismal Biology, Ecology & Systematics.

What academic class has been your favorite and why?
My favorite course that I have taken as a graduate student was the Field Crops Plant Health Diagnostics course in Jackson, TN at WTREC. This course was my favorite because I learned a lot about scouting and identifying pests in the field. The large hands-on component of the course really helped me learn and see specimens from a different perspective outside of the classroom.

How has your academic training at The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture prepared you for a career?
Throughout my academic career, I took opportunities that prepared me for a career in academia. I was a teaching assistant for over 4 semesters in 3 different courses, which included both virtual and in-person components in both lecture and lab settings. I was a part of The Graduate Student Senate for three years and served as the Travel Awards Committee Chair for two years. I have given guest lectures throughout my time as a graduate student as well. There are many opportunities in EPP and at the university that can prepare a student for a career. I geared my experiences toward teaching and mentoring students.

What was your latest research question?
My latest research question is, “How is a fungal entomopathogen and endophyte, Beauveria bassiana, disseminated between its’ insect and plant hosts”?

What were your primary obstacles in answering this question?
My primary obstacle in answering this question was steaming my soil in the soil steamer prior to setting up my experiments this summer. The steamer was down for about a month, which was a major setback. Another obstacle was locating enough adult kudzu bugs to set up my experiments. This year kudzu bugs seemed to emerge later and were not present in abundance in the field until July and only in some kudzu patches. A final obstacle was the rush to finish my research before I left UTK to become a faculty member at another university.

Can you tell me a little more about your research? 
My research focused on identifying the interactions among a fungus, Beauveria bassiana, an insect, kudzu bug, and their host plants kudzu and soybean. Kudzu bugs are pests of soybean, so the goal of my research is to understand how kudzu bugs are becoming naturally infected with B. bassiana and to use this information to improve the use of B. bassiana in Integrated Pest Management programs.

What has been the highlight of your graduate school experiences so far?
The highlight of my graduate school experience so far has been becoming friends with many of the graduate students in our department. Graduate school during the COVID-19 pandemic was difficult because it was hard to get to know fellow graduate students in the department. Since the pandemic, there is a group of us who have become really good friends who do something together at least once a week. Having a supportive group of friends whom I am able to do things with outside of school has been one of the biggest highlights of my graduate career.

What do you believe is your biggest academic achievement?
My biggest academic achievement has been receiving a tenure-track assistant professor position at another university. The position will provide me with the opportunity to teach future students and conduct research in the areas of biology and entomology. I am very grateful for the opportunity to start teaching this fall while also completing my PhD at UTK.

What are your favorite hobbies?
I am a pretty outdoorsy person, when I have time. I like swimming, paddleboarding, hiking, and going for walks.

What are your favorite things to do on campus?
I love to take a walk in the UT Gardens and see a Smokey statue. The UT Gardens are beautiful and can provide a calm and peaceful place away from academics. I always encourage the individuals on main campus to take a trip to the gardens. I think everyone needs to take a break and go for a walk every now and then and the gardens are a great place to walk! I also like seeing the Smokey statues on campus because they always bring a smile to my face. They are one of those aspects of campus that brings joy every time you see one.

Any advice you would like to share with a prospective student?
Participate in as many activities and opportunities as you can while being a student. You will meet so many people and will learn skills that will help you tremendously in the future as you complete graduate school and start your career. Always be okay with asking for help when you need it. Everyone in the department is there to help you learn and will go out of their way to make sure you are obtaining the skills you need to be a successful graduate student and future educator, researcher, and professional.

Is there anything that you would like to add?
I am very thankful for all of the kind words and encouragement that I have received from the members of our department. I recently started a new position at another university, and I cannot even begin to express how grateful I am for being a part of a community that supports their colleagues and students every day like the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology.