Brendan Randall
$identifies co-authors I mentored as undergraduates
*2 peer-reviewed publications, 2 in review, 2 currently in prep
Peer-reviewed manuscripts:
1. Randall, BA., Hauri, KC., Cinto-Mejia, E., Wetzel, WC. (2023). Suboptimal macronutrient ratios promote cannibalism in a generalist herbivore (Trichoplusia ni). Ecological Entomology. https://doi.org/10.1111/een.13266
2. Hauri, KC., Glassmire, AE., Randall, B., Zehr, LN., Wetzel, WC. (2022). Plant chemical diversity and its spatial arrangement have distinct but complementary effects on insect foraging. Journal of Applied Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.14151.
Manuscripts in review:
3. Randall, BA., Komatsu, KJ., Parker, JD, McGurrin, K., Alley, SJM., $Hearn, CT., Burghardt, KT. Microbial partners drive legume trait plasticity and tripartite interaction outcomes under combined stress environments. Ecosphere
4. McGurrin, K., Randall, BA., Parker, JD, Burghardt, KT, Komatsu, KJ. Soybean seedcoats have no impact on herbivore prevention and soybean performance in Maryland. Agricultural and Forest Entomology
Manuscripts in prep:
1. Randall, BA., Komatsu, KJ., Parker, JD, McGurrin, K., Reiger-Erwin, N., Burghardt, KT. Diverse rhizobial strain mixtures stabilize ecological interactions in combined stress environments. Anticipated submission date to Ecology: Spring 2026. Draft available upon request.
2. $Rieger-Erwin, N., Randall, BA., Komatsu, KJ., Parker, JD, Burghardt, KT. Rooted in defense: Rhizobial strain identity and diversity shapes legume trichome expression across stress environments. Anticipated submission to Plant and Soil: Spring 2026. Draft available upon request.
Extension Publications:
Randall, B., McGurrin, K., Burghardt, KT. (2023). “Role of Rhizobial Diversity for Drought and Herbivory Tolerance in Soybean.” Roots in Research, University of Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station (PDF)
Presentations
Research Talks & Posters
**invited speaker. 12 research talks, 3 research posters
16. **Randall, BA., Burghardt, KT. (November 20, 2025). Rhizobial Diversity Promotes Stable Plant-Insect Interactions Under Drought. C.V. Riley Memorial Lecture. Washington, D.C. (Poster presentation)
15. Randall, BA., Komatsu, KJ., Parker, JD, McGurrin, K., Rieger-Erwin, N., Burghardt, KT. (November 10, 2025). Microbial Allies: Rhizobial strain diversity promotes stable soybean resistance to drought and herbivory. Entomological Society of America, Annual Meeting, Portland, OR. (10-minute talk, 30 attendees)
14. Randall, BA., Komatsu, KJ, Parker, JD, McGurrin, K., Rieger-Erwin, N., Burghardt, KT. (August 12, 2025). Better together? Diverse rhizobial strain mixtures promote stable plant resistance to drought and herbivory. Ecological Society of America, National Meeting, Baltimore, MD. (12-minute talk, 70 attendees)
13. Randall, BA., Komatsu, KJ., Parker, JD., McGurrin, K., Rieger-Erwin, N., Burghardt, KT. (2025). Better together? Effects of diverse rhizobial strain mixtures on soybean resistance to simultaneous stress. Ecological Society of America, Mid-Atlantic Chapter Meeting, Kennett Square, PA. (12-minute talk, 50 attendees)
12. Randall, BA., Komatsu, KJ., Parker, JD., McGurrin, K., Alley, SJM., Burghardt, KT. (June 5, 2024). Abiotic stressors and biotic interactions shape rhizobia-plant interactions in agricultural systems. North American Symbiotic Biological Nitrogen Fixation Conference, Burlington, VT. (15-minute talk, 75 attendees)
11. Jason, A., Swartley, A., Bingham, E., Harris, J., Mercurio, K., Paillan, E., Sydow, P., Randall, B., Burghardt., LT. (June 4, 2024). Can microbes enriched in the rhizospheres or nodules of legume cover crops alter future cash crop’ growth, nitrogen fixation, or herbivory? North American Symbiotic Biological Nitrogen Fixation Conference, Burlington, VT. (Poster presentation)
10. **Randall, BA., Komatsu, KJ., Parker, JD., McGurrin, K., Alley, SJM., Burghardt, KT. (February 7, 2024). Effects of a below-ground symbiont (rhizobia) on plant resilience to drought and herbivore stressors. McMaster University, Bioinformatics, Evolution, Anthropology, and Population Genomics Seminar Series, Hamilton, ON, Canada. (45-minute talk, 20 attendees)
9. Randall, BA., Komatsu, K., Parker, J., McGurrin, K., Alley, SJM., Burghardt, KT. (November 5, 2023). Rhizobia diversity determines soybean resistance to herbivory and drought stress. Entomological Society of America, Annual Meeting, National Harbor, MD. (10-minute talk, 40 attendees)
8. Komatsu, KJ., Randall, BA., Alley, SJM., McGurrin, K., Parker, JD., Burghardt, KT. (November 5, 2023). Consequences of rhizobial diversity for soybean resistance to herbivory in the context of climate change. Entomological Society of America, Annual Meeting, National Harbor, MD. (30-minute talk, 100 attendees)
7. Randall, BA., Komatsu, KJ., Parker, JD., McGurrin, K., Alley, SJM., Burghardt, KT. (April 1, 2023). Impacts of nitrogen-fixing rhizobia on resistance to herbivory and drought stress. Ecological Society of America, Mid-Atlantic Chapter Meeting, Newark, DE. (12-minute talk, 45 attendees)
6. Randall, BA., Komatsu, KJ., Parker, JD., McGurrin, K., Alley, SJM., Burghardt, KT. (March 10, 2023). Impacts of nitrogen-fixing rhizobia on resistance to herbivory and drought stress. UMD Department of Entomology Seminar Series, College Park, MD. (10-minute talk, 40 attendees)
5. Randall, BA., Komatsu, KJ., Parker, JD., McGurrin, K., Alley, SJM., Burghardt, KT. (November 14, 2022). Impacts of nitrogen-fixing rhizobia on resistance to herbivory and drought stress.” Entomological Society of America, Joint Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC, Canada. (10-minute talk, 50 attendees)
4. Randall, BA., Komatsu, KJ., Parker, JD., McGurrin, K., Alley, SJM., Burghardt, KT. (April 25, 2022). “Impacts of Neonicotinoid Seed Coats on Insect Pest Damage and Natural Enemy Communities.” Entomological Society of America, Eastern Branch Meeting, Philadelphia, PA. (10-minute talk, 70 attendees)
Awarded second place in the M.S. student paper competition ($100).
3. Randall, BA., Avalos, G., Hauri, KC., Cinto-Mejia, E., and Wetzel, WC. (October 20, 2021). Plant-Chewers Turned Flesh- Eaters: Altered Macronutrient Ratios Promote Cannibalism in a Generalist Herbivore Pest (Trichoplusia ni). Entomological Society of America, Annual Meeting, Denver, CO. (10-minute virtual talk).
Awarded second place in the M.S. student paper competition ($100).
2. Randall, BA., Avalos, G., Hauri, KC., Cinto-Mejia, E., and Wetzel, WC. (November 18, 2019). Vegans Turned Flesh Eaters: Altered Macronutrient Ratios Promote Cannibalistic Behavior in a Generalist Herbivore (Trichoplusia ni). Entomological Society of America, Annual Meeting. St. Louis, MO. (Virtual poster).
Awarded second place in the undergraduate student poster competition ($100).
1. Randall, BA., Avalos, G., Hauri, KC., Cinto-Mejia, E., and Wetzel, WC. (2019) “Vegans Turned Flesh-Eaters: Altered Macronutrient Ratios Promote Cannibalistic Behavior in a Generalist Herbivore (Trichoplusia ni).” MSU Kellogg Biological Station URS Symposium. Hickory Corners, MI. (Poster presentation)