Katie Bale

S225 Ag. Science Center North
Dept. of Entomology
University of Kentucky 40506-0091
Work phone number:
(859) 257-1134
e-mail address: kbale13@yahoo.com

K. Bale Photo

Qualifications

  • Currently a M.S. student, Department of Entomology, UK (gpa-3.84) (Jan. 2002-present)
  • B.S. Agricultural Biotechnology, U.K. (gpa-3.734) (Dec. 2001)

Research Interest

Dr. Bruce Webb's lab is working on polydnavirus biology. Polydnaviruses are obligately associated with parasitoid wasps in the braconid and ichneumonid genera. The wasps parasitize and subsequently kill their lepidopteran host. Polydnaviruses are necessary in parasitization because they disrupt host immunity and development. I am specifically examining the capabilities of a somatic cell transformation vehicle derived from the Densovirus, JcDNV. to express an RNAi construct in order to ascertain the functions of virally encoded proteins in alteration of host physiology.


Research Experience

Independent research project. Interactions of protein factors with poly (A) polymerase as a possible model for the cleavage complex involved in polyadenylation in Arabidopsis thaliana. Dr. Arthur Hunt (Fall-2000) UK.

Memberships

  • American Society of Virology (ASV) 2002-present.
  • Entomological Society of America (ESA) 2003-present.

Honors and Awards 

  • Ag.  Phone-A-Thon Scholarship U.K. (Fall, 2001)
  • George Perry Sr. and Dimple Thomason Summers Scholarship, U.K. (Fall 2000-Spring 2001)
  • Presidential Scholarship, Oglethorpe University (Fall 1997-Fall1999)

    • Publications and Presentations

    K. Bale, S.N. DeBorde, W. Rattanadechakul, Y. Kim, J.A. Kroemer, L. Thoetkiattial, R.A. Witherell, M.R. Strand, & B.A. Webb. Characterization of Microplitis demolitor BracovirusGenome. American Society of Virology annual meeting. Davis, California, 2003.

    K. Bale and B. Webb. Functional characterization of two polydnavirus genes using RNA interference. Entomological Society of America annual meeting. Cincinnati, Ohio, 2003.

    Relevant Experience

    • Debate Team-2003
    • Community Outreach:
      Night Insect Walk (.Hike leader)-2003
      Lexington Children's Museum (insect booth)-2003

    Extracurricular Activities
    Running
    Masters Swim Team, U.K. (Jan. 2000-May 2000)
    Oglethorpe women’s golf team (Aug. 1997-Dec. 1999)
     

    Laboratory
    Dr. Bruce Webb