This lab is now run by an Associate Professor! ^_^

This blog is updated by Paul Manning. As of July 1, I’m happy to share that I was awarded tenure and promoted to Associate Professor at Dalhousie University. This is an exciting professional milestone – that recognizes the last five years of research, teaching, service, and collaboration. I’ve been taking some time this week to reflect on how much gratitude I feel to be in this position. It is truly a gift to spend time thinking about and researching insects – little creatures that I’ve loved ever since I was a kid. In this career, I have the privilege of sharing this knowledge/joy with incredible students and colleagues. I’m basically the luckiest duck around. So… I’m taking some time to reflect… bear with me!

First, a big “THANK YOU” to all the students in the lab (Quinton, Sam, Melanie, Maria, Carlie, Olivia, Katie, Alexe, Sam, Evan, Kaz, Lauchie, Rochelle, Em, Matt, Jenna, Nivetha, Saran) who have kept me smiling, and made me so stinking proud. Thanks to all of your parents, and your extended networks who raised you – for giving me the chance to welcome you into my “lab family”. You’ve enriched my life in so many ways. Thanks for keeping me endlessly entertained with your stories, ideas, and adventures.

Next, the training of students never happens in a vacuum. Thank-you to all of the folks who have supported/co-supervised/mentored the training of students in my lab (Dave, Chijioke, Edel, Nicolas, Fraser, Erin, Jess, Chris, Natalie, Yunfei, Rhea, Xiaohong, Gordon, Ghader, Kate, Alana, John, Agnes, Mason) – I’ve learned so much from each of you! It’s so wonderful to see collaboration lead to discovery and knowledge creation!

Thanks to the many folks who: collaborated across the board to many different projects (Zoe, Terrell, Alex, Katherine, Carolyn, Shauna, Nicolas, Robert, Chris, Drucie, Daryl, Elaine, Rhydian, Beach, Srinis, Laurel, Karin, Jacquelyn, Lisa, Colette, Lauren, Jess, Brennan, Zoë, Kelly, Mason, Jolene, Becky, Brandon, Andy, Corey, Adam, Mahdi, Xiaohong, Miriam, Stephanie, Stefanie, Phoebe, Audrie-Jo, Alexa, Jennifer, Kathleen, Christie, Queena, Selina, Alexander, Eliza, Matt, Morgan, Ian, Heather, Sue, Amy, Lara, Andrew, Jordan), co-taught (Robert, Laurel, Kalyani, Karen), cleared bureaucratic obstacles (Heather, Joy, Nancy, Marilyn, Emmanuel, Lord, Gordon, Margaret, Kinga, Sheri, Nyree, Margaret, Tennille, Amber, Gisele, Annette, Dian, David, Andy, Gefu), and folks who just continually show-up in a million different ways and work hard to make the magic happen. Thanks to the good folks at the CLT for supporting my development as a teacher: Betsy, Kate*2, Ben, Les, Tereigh, Ben, Shazia, Nasim – you’ve all been exceptional. Thanks to Michelle, Eric, and Caryle for all the tech support when I consistently stress-test the limits of our LMS – Brightspace. Thanks to my two external reviews for considering my tenure package so carefully – and giving such detailed and supportive feedback. Those letters were generous, and incredibly appreciated.

A lot of the work that we do, takes place on farms. Thank-you Doug, Lawson, Colin, Josh, Patricia, Wayne, Pamela, Linda, Charles, Pam, Andrew, Ron, David, James, Neil, Angus, Clay, Tyler, Dean, Jordan, Holly, Mike, Patrick, John. You are all such conscientious stewards of the land. Thank-you for growing food, supporting the health of our environment, and welcoming us onto your farms to study insects. Applied on-farm research does not happen without farmers or farmers. Thanks for making our research projects come to life!

We use a community science approach to many of our research questions, which means we work often with community members! This group is too numerous to list here, but – goodness! From letting us know where wasp nests are hanging, to sending us samples of beetles, sharing data onto public repositories like iNaturalist, or collecting data on behalf of our research program… you are simply amazing. Thank-you for sharing your time, data, and interest so we can better understand the world around us.

A big part of why this recognition was awarded to me was on the basis of teaching (my feedback here from the tenure process was particularly strong). Beyond a strong intrinsic desire to bring my A-game to teaching, I put extra care into this aspect of my career – because my students genuinely love to learn. Between loving teaching (me), and loving learning (students) – and this creates a wonderful system based in reciprocity. In short – it is energizing and a true privilege to teach at the post-secondary level.

I’d be totally out of line if I didn’t take a second to thank the students. Thank you students! You’ve been incredibly patient with me as I have navigated new courses, worked out solutions to teaching in an era of rapid technological change (ChatGPT – no shade, but I’m not a huge fan of your work), and experimented with so many aspects of teaching. During the past five years, you have shown up with smiles, and curiosity, joyfulness and appreciation. I get teary thinking about how many of you have risen to overcome challenges that would have (quite honestly) stopped me in my tracks. You are tough, compassionate, hard-working, kind, brilliant people. It is an absolute privilege to teach you in the classroom. I am so proud of you.

Now that I’ve been around the university for a while, I’m starting to run into our graduates more and more often in the real world. This is so fun! When this happens – thanks for saying “Hi” and for showing patience if it takes me a second to place you. With more than a thousand students taught (often in online environments, or in large cohorts) it’s hard when context is missing (or if you’re suddenly rocking a new haircut). It’s so wonderful to be re-acquainted and hear all about your life since graduation. Please drop a line, or kick-off a conversation anytime.

Another interesting thing I’ve experienced as an instructor, as when a class really comes together to make a wildly positive learning environment. I’d like to give a special shout-out to the 2026 Conservation Biology Course, and the 2022 Entomology Cohort. Sometimes all the pieces fall into play, and the class gels into something bigger than itself over a 13 week semester. When this happens, the impact for learning, community, and development is unmatched. I wish I knew how to make this a thing every time, but it just seems to be idiosyncratic. I can’t really put it into words how wonderful this feels? Maybe you had to be there? I’ll keep working on developing my thoughts around this, but in the meantime, I’ll leave it to Mary Oliver:

Oh, to love what is lovely, and will not last!
           What a task
                to ask

of anything, or anyone,

yet it is ours,
      and not by the century or the year, but by the hours.

From Why I Wake Early: New Poems by Mary Oliver, published by Beacon Press, Boston, 2004: pgs. 34-35.

A stand-out memory… when the 2026 conservation biology class decided to throw me a surprise birthday party in class (with beetle-shaped cookies). This was completely over the top kind – but wholeheartedly appreciated. I had absolutely no idea it was coming – and that made it extra hilarious and fun. I’ll never forget this surprise and how it made me feel. That beetle birthday card (held by Evelyn) is on my bulletin board, and I read the kind messages that folks wrote in it often. Thank-you!

I started this position with a 4-month baby at home. Now he’s five, and we’ve added a second (who is two). Parenting two small kids is made so much easier with parents to laugh with: Matt, Ainslie, Robin, Natalie, Jake, Quinn, Shayne, Holly, Nicole, Carrie, Margaret, Chris, James, Katie, Andrew, Sara, Mike, Julianne, Tessa, Jay, Dan, Jess and many others. Thanks for the parenting advice, the shared looks of exhaustion, and the many cups of coffee in kitchens, playgrounds, and at various kid activities. Also thank-you to Terra, our incredible daycare teacher. You have instilled some fabulous qualities in our kids, and knowing they are safe with you during the day – is valuable beyond what words can express. You’re an angel on Earth – thank you.

Thanks to my many running pals for keeping exercise so fun and social. It continues to be key to maintaining my mental health! Good for the legs, and amazing for the soul! Would highly recommend training for a marathon (I did three between 2021-2026) as a way of challenging your body, and undoing some of the body damage that is inevitable with a job that requires a lot of sitting at a computer. Still haven’t managed to qualify for Boston, but will keep hacking away at this goal – and maybe make that trip to Massachusetts before I go up for “Full Professor”. Andrew, Jay, Shayne, Jake, James, Graeme, Ryan, Mark*2, Joel, Eric, Pablo, Vivian, Jody, Justin, Krystal, Vince, Sarah, Sara et al! THANK YOU, for the early mornings, the reliable running chatter, and showing up in all kinds of terrible weather to squeeze in some kilometres. Also Aggie’s Run Club is the best, and if you’re reading this and want to join – come on out! We meet September-April on Monday and Wednesday evenings at 7:00 at the Langille Athletic Centre – all speeds/ages/abilities are welcome.

Thanks to my parents (Lynn and Chris) for checking in on me and for having developed an excellent understanding of the nuances of the tenure & promotion process. Thanks for asking after me, and for continuing to be curious about my work. Thanks to my brother and sister (Ian and Tine) for calling and keeping me laughing and connected, and sending cute baby photos of my nieces and nephews. A very special collaboration for me, was co-authoring a paper with my brother Ian (fun!). I’m lucky enough that I get to have the best in-laws in the whole world (Cathy and Walter) who treat me like I’m one of their own (local people regularly tell me that they had recently met my mum, then give a physical description of Cathy). I love this about you Cathy – thanks for never correcting people! C&W – Thanks for the Wednesday suppers, for helping my graduate students change their tires, and letting us run experiments on your beautiful property.

Thanks to my ever-growing extended family: Ally, Lucas, Jon, M-C, Sam, Harris, Warren, Anna, Garrett, Wally, Sage, Lily, Ted, George! How lucky am I to spend time w/ you. Thanks for understanding when I occasionally have to miss a round of “Ticket to Ride” to finish up a manuscript, or if I miss a trip to Northern NB when our March breaks don’t align.

I was lucky enough to experience graduate school with some of the most amazing individuals who remain dear friends to this day. Many are on a similar academic path through the tenure track, and others are using their skills to do incredible things to shape the world in other realms (medicine, poverty reduction, policy, public office, environmental restoration). Thanks for being there – I wish we could see each other more often, but you’re always in my mind! Mad, Juliana, Sarah, Kit, Megan, Mitch, Thomas, Joanne, Tara, Justine, Connor, Ayo, Laura, Chris, Caro, Mike, Julianne, Mary-Dan, Chris, Beth, Moya, Richard, Chelsea, Rachel, Catherine, Priyanka, Mathjis et al… Thanks for picking up the phone when I occasionally call, and for keeping me up-to-date with all your adventures.

Over this last five-year period, I also said “Good-bye” to my maternal grandparents (Nanny and Poppy – Donnie + Evan) who were incredible supporters, and were always so proud of the work I was doing. They would have been delighted to see me reach this milestone. I wish they could have been here to celebrate – and enjoy a cup of tea and a cookie together. My Grandpa Peter, died before I completed my undergraduate degree – but I know that he would have been very proud to see me reach this point too – particularly given his professional career (academic – at TUNS and Dalhousie). In 2024, I lost a dear childhood friend Dr. Kim Nix. Kim, I think about you constantly, I miss you, and wish more than anything that I could call you, get caught up, and hear your laugh!

Thanks (and rest in peace) to Billie, Stu, and Daisy – the three senior dogs that got me through tenure. I walked a lot of kilometres with yas, and am forever grateful to have had your sweet presence in my life. Billie – I miss the way you would painfully stomp on my feet when you would be excitedly waiting to be fed. Stu – I miss how random passerby’s would stop traffic to comment on your dashing good lucks. Daisy – I miss that we finally had a dog who was “mine” and picked me as a cuddle partner – you were an excellent surprise border collie, disguised as a lab. To anyone reading this who might be feeling a bit lonely or lost – I’d whole-heartedly recommend walking a dog. What a great way to meet people, get exercise, and develop a deeper compassion for the animal world.

Of course, I have scientific mentors to thank. First, Chris (my undergraduate and postdoctoral advisor) – without our paths crossing, I expect I would have become a veterinarian or a middle school teacher. I think this career as a university professor combines the best of both these careers: people, animals (very species rich ones), teaching, joy, and service – while avoiding some of parts I’d be less suited for! Thanks for bringing me into the research world, and continuing to be a steadfast support. Justin – thanks for teaching me very early on the value that friendship brings to research – research is made so much fun through collaboration with pals. I am forever thankful that you trusted me to work with you when I was still an undergraduate! Owen and Sarah (my exceptional PhD advisors) – thanks for showing me the value of letting trainees to run with their ideas, creativity, and interests – I learned so much about training graduate students from how you supported me. Can’t thank you enough for your time, patience, and support in those formative years. I am privileged to bring back some Oxford training to my alma mater. That connection and experience is incredibly special to me, and I will never take those years of adventure and opportunity for granted.

Crucially within these scientific mentors and their own stories and lives that they generously shared with me, is the theme of ‘relationships’. Each of us, is so much more than our identity as a scientist, and at the end of the day – life always comes back to building and maintaining relationships. You all live by these values, and demonstrated them to me clearly. If I hadn’t learned from it – then I certainly wasn’t paying attention. Sarah, Owen, Justin, Chris – you all get it, and I’m proud to share – I get it too. Thanks for setting such an excellent example.

On that note, I am saving my biggest, loudest thank-you to Sarah Jane Fanning (my better half), and the F1s (AKA the grubs, legally Ira and Evie). There are no words, but everything I do – I do for you. I cannot wait to hop on my bike at the end of the day – and pedal home to you! I love you dearly, and am so lucky to be your Pauly.

Now, it’s back to work for me. This gratitude post is ending now, but please know that whenever you’re reading this – I am so grateful to be here, doing what I’m doing, with an incredible cohort of people around me. If you’re part of that cohort (and regrettably, I’m sure I’ve missed some folks in this list) – thank-you! And if you’re not (yet), I hope our paths intersect soon.

Hugs & Bugs,
Paul