Fall 2024 Featured Undergraduate: Charlie Rudolph
Print
EmailMeet Charlie Rudolph, an undergraduate student studying entomology at MSU.
Charlie Rudolph
Hometown or state or country: Pittsburgh, PA
Major advisor: Dr. Amanda Lorenz
Q: What inspired you to choose entomology as your area of study?
A: I just love bugs! Ever since I was a child, I’ve found them fascinating. But unfortunately, not many people shared my interest. So I decided to go to college for it, mainly to learn more about the bugs, but also to meet like-minded people.
Q: Are there any specific projects, research, or extracurricular activities you’re involved in related to entomology?
A: I am currently the vice president of the MSU Bug Club! It’s always a blast hanging out with my friends, and getting to talk about bugs while we do is even better.
Q: Is there a particular insect or topic in entomology that fascinates you, and what drew you to it?
A: I like lacewings. I guess I’m drawn to how competent they are as hunters in their larval stage, only to turn very clumsy once they become adults. It goes against many people’s perception of metamorphosis, and I think that’s beautiful.
Q: What’s something unique about your journey to MSU or studying entomology that you’d like to share?
A: I’m not originally from Michigan, I’m from Pittsburgh. I actually came to MSU for the express purpose of studying entomology. At first I was worried about the cost, but my niche major actually helped net me a huge scholarship. We had to write essays about what issues we predicted would crop up in our field within the next ten years. I won the contest, and the organizer commented that the unique topic of my essay helped it stand out.
Q: What’s been one of your most rewarding experiences in your studies so far?
A: Over the summer, I got an internship in the Vegetable Entomology lab on campus. The entomology labs are all wonderful, and it is one of the best things you can do to get an internship at one of them.
Q: Have you had any memorable interactions with faculty, mentors, or peers who’ve influenced your academic journey?
A: In general, I love how welcoming the entomology department is. In particular, I remember how when I first started here, I was really intimidated by the grad students. When I attended my first GUESS meeting, everyone was super friendly and ready to strike up a conversation. I really appreciated that, and now I’m good friends with some of them!
