Curriculum Vitae
Teaching
Instructor of Record
Spring 2020
NC State, ENT 201, Insects and People
*See Teaching Observation for evidence of teaching from this period
Teaching Assistant
Fall 2017
NC State, ENT 201, Insects and People
Teaching Assistant
Spring 2016
University of Georgia, ENTO 4000/6000L, General Entomology Lab
Roles Held
Washington State University — Cranberry & Shellfish Extension Specialist (Assistant Professor)
2022–Present, Long Beach, WA
• Lead statewide outreach and extension programs improving pest management and sustainability across specialty crops.
• Design and deliver international and national workshops (e.g., Cranberry Congress, 2025) connecting industry, academia, and government.
• Manage grants exceeding $250K in total funding from regional, national, and international sources.
• Communicate complex science to growers and stakeholders through newsletters, press coverage, and webinars.
• Mentor interns, coordinate with SeaGrant, USDA, and conservation groups to enhance integrated pest management (IPM) adoption.
Walt Disney World – Research Manager, Living With The Land
2021–2022, Orlando, FL
• Directed applied entomology, plant pathology, and horticultural research to enhance sustainability and visitor education.
• Supervised team conducting experiments to improve production practices in hydroponic and greenhouse environments.
USDA-ARS, Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center
2021 - Hilo, HI
• Conducted insecticide resistance testing in fruit flies across multiple islands.
• Collaborated on resistance monitoring to guide integrated pest management strategies.
North Carolina State University
2017 - 2021 - Raleigh, NC
Ph.D. Thesis - Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology
• Small fruit integrated pest management
• Molecular gut content of Spotted Wing Drosophila
• Cold Storage Post-harvest management
University of Georgia
2012 - 2016 - Athens, GA
M.S. Thesis - Department of Entomology
• Pea aphid endosymbionts
• Parasitoid wasp ecology
•Population cage studies
Research Publications
Measuring the impact of increasing size class European Green Crab (Carcinus maenas) on their ability to manipulate and eat commercially and ecologically important species in the Pacific Northwest through a choice/no-choice assay.
Alexis Anaya, David P. Rice, and Laura J. Kraft.
NOAA Fishery Bulletin, May 2025.
Efficacy, non-target impacts, and costs of mechanical control options against a bioturbator in bivalve aquaculture.
Jennifer L. Ruesink, C. Haleh Mawson, Brian Allen, Jeffrey Barrett, David Beugli, Steven Booth, Laura Butler, Bill Dewey, Cinde R. Donoghue, Brett R. Dumbauld, Kristine Feldman, Zachary Forster, S. Maria Garcia, Jackson A. Gross, Bobbi Hudson, Wesley W. Hull, Vikram Iyer, Aspen Katla, Laura Kraft, Blair Paul, Casey B. Pruitt, Aniruddh Vashisth, Kim D. Patten.
Aquaculture, 2025.
Persistence of widespread moderate Spinosad resistance among wild melon fly (Zeugodacus cucurbitae) and oriental fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis) populations on the major Hawaiian islands
Dara G Stockton, Laura J. Kraft, Patricia Dombrowski, Laura Doucette, Michael Bosch, Rosemary Gutierrez‐Coarite, Roshan Manandhar, Jensen Uyeda, Joshua Silva, Jennifer Hawkins, Ikkei Shikano
Pest Management Science., 12 July 2024
Detection of fruit meals within laboratory-raised and field-trapped adult Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae) guts
Laura J. Kraft, Tim L. Sit, Lauren M. Diepenbrock, Hamid Ashrafi, Rishi Aryal, Gina E. Fernandez, and Hannah J. Burrack
Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 23 August 2021.
Determining the effect of postharvest cold-storage treatment on the survival of immature Drosophila suzukii in small fruits
Laura J Kraft, D Adeline Yeh, Miguel I Gómez, Hannah J Burrack
Journal of Economic Entomology, September 2020.
Aphid symbionts and endogenous resistance traits mediate competition between rival parasitoids
Laura J. Kraft, Jamie Kopco, Jason P. Harmon, and Kerry M. Oliver
PLOS One, July 2017
Multi-modal defenses in aphids offer redundant protection and increased costs likely impeding a protective mutualism
Adam J. Martinez, Matthew R. Doremus, Laura J. Kraft, Kyungsun L. Kim, and Kerry M. Oliver. Journal of Animal Ecology, June 2017
Outreach
Designed Novel Outreach Events, Materials, or Activities
2025 Cranberry Harvest Weekend at the Long Beach Cranberry Museum, Guest Educator
2025 Hilltop Middle School, Local Careers in Entomology, Event Organizer
2024 Ilwaco High School Oyster Dissection and Workforce Dev with SeaGrant, Co-Organizer
2024 Long Beach Elementary School European Green Crab Program, Guest Educator
2023 Cranberry Harvest Weekend at the Long Beach Cranberry Museum, Co-Organizer
2020 Apex Friendship High School Career Day, Guest Educator
2019 Bugs and Brews at Raleigh Brewing Company, Event Organizer
2019 Catalyst a Program at Science House, Led Laboratory Activities
2019 Franklinton Middle School, Guest Educator
2019 Lincoln Heights Elementary School, Guest Educator
2017 Mexican Consulate of North and South Carolina, Spanish Literacy/Science Education
2018 Cedar Creek Middle School, Guest Educator
2015 Georgia Plant Science Scholar, Guest Educator
2015 Winder Barrow High School, Guest Educator
Table Event/Judge/Used Previously Made Activities and Materials
2024 Ocean Park Elementary School Insect Zoo Meet n Greet, Classroom Visit
2024 Cranberry Harvest Weekend at the Long Beach Cranberry Museum, Table Event
2023 Ilwaco Halloween Block Party, Table Event
2023 Long Beach Razor Clam Festival, in collaboration with WDFW, Table Event
2020 Skype a Scientist: Live!
2020 Girl Scout Insect Badge, Zoom Call
2020 River Dell Elementary School STEAM Night, Table Event
2020 George Washington Magnet STEM Night, Table Event
2020 Morehead School for the Blind, Guest Educator
2019 Bee Kind to Pollinators Day, Guilford Co. Extension, Table Event
2019 George Washington Magnet STEM Night, Table Event
2019 Mary Scroggs Elementary STEAM Night, Table Event
2018 NCSU CALS Tailgate, Table Event
2018 Elementary School Science Fair, Judge
2018 NC Ento Society Brumley Nature Preserve Bioblitz, Volunteer
2018 Laurel Park Elementary STEAM Night, Table Event
2017 Girl Scout Insect Badge, Table Event
2017 General Greene Elementary State Fair, Table Event
2017 Packapalooza Volunteer, Table Event
2017 TRIO Plant Science Scholars, Guest Educator
2017 NCSU CALS Tailgate, Table Event
2017 Bug Fest, Table Event
2016 Georgia 4-H Entomology, Judge
2015 Insectival, Volunteer
2014 Insectival, Volunteer
2013 Science Olympiad, Judge
2013 Insectival, Volunteer
International
Experience
Zenxin Organics, Malaysia, Assistant Agritourism Program Developer
February 2017
-Created relevant informational signs about pests and beneficial insects
-Mentored university-aged student volunteers in agriculture and agritourism
-Improved tour script, including education of tour guides
-Created educational game materials for students aged K-3rd grade
Maquipucuna Coffee Plantation, Ecuador, IPM Manager
July-Aug 2013
-Planned a functional IPM program for Coffee Berry Borer Beetle based on scientific literature
-Participated in educational research with Nestle and the Ecuadorian Ministry of Agriculture
Maquipucuna Ecolodge, Ecuador, Tourism Manager
July-Aug 2013
-Directed student volunteers from outside organizations, including planning volunteer projects and managing at the work sites
-Tourism manager: took reservations and organized tours
-Translated nature tours Spanish-English
Languages Spoken
English
Spanish
SciComm
Publications
CRISPR Cuts Through Layers of Butterfly Wing-Pattern Evolution
2019 Entomology Today
A Little Bit of Spit and a Whole Lot of Patience: What It Takes to Produce a Butterfly Field Guide
2019 Entomology Today
Collaboration Brings Beetle Collection and Curation From Illinois to Cambodia
2019 Entomology Today
Extension Unplugged: Communicating Entomology to Amish and Mennonite Communities in Pennsylvania
2018 Entomology Today
How Two Entomologists Landed on TV With Bill Nye
2018 Entomology Today
American Underdog Wasp Fights for Foothold on Exotic Hosts
2018 Entomology Today
Fruit DNA in Invasive Flies’ Guts Could Help Track Their Dispersal
2018 Entomology Today
Sub-Saharan Africa's Women Protect Their Crops from a New Pest
2018 American Scientist Blogs
Nutritional Symbionts: Why Some Insects Don’t Have to Eat Their Vegetables
2017 Entomology Today
Photographing Spiders in Singapore: A Night Hike With Photographer Nicky Bay
2017 Entomology Today
Growing Rice in the Spice Islands: Pesticide Resistance and Regulation in Indonesia
2017 Entomology Today
Avoiding the Outbreak of Mosquito-Borne Diseases in Malaysia
2017 Entomology Today
Walking With the Butterflies in Taiwan’s Maolin Valley
2017 Entomology Today
Conserving Culture Through Cambodian Silk
2017 Entomology Today
Bugs Cafe: The Can’t-Miss Culinary Attraction in Siem Reap, Cambodia
2017 Entomology Today
Fostering a New Generation of Cambodian Entomologists
2017 Entomology Today
A Bustling Center of Entomological Research in Laos
2017 Entomology Today
From Wisconsin to Laos: The Entomological Journey of Dr. Paul Brey
2017 Entomology Today
Walking Among Giants in Northwest Thailand
2016 Entomology Today
The Sweet, Sweet Taste of Ripening
2016 Athens Science Observer
Fatal Attraction: Why Mosquitoes Find Us So Attractive
2016 Athens Science Observer
The Life and Lies of Kudzu
2016 Athens Science Observer
Time to Rustle Up Some Grub
2015 Athens Science Observer
Slimy, Yet Satisfying: Eating Insects for the Modern World
2015 Athens Science Observer
Night of the Living Bugs
2015 Athens Science Observer
NCDA State Farmer's Market Videos, 2018
How Vacuums Help Sow Seeds at Bynum’s Greenhouses
Transplanting Six-Pack Plants for Sale with Bynum’s Greenhouses
Cold Conditioning at Bynum’s Greenhouses
The Benefits of Black Plastic Mulch with Moore’s Produce
Moore’s Produce: Where Family Farming and Exotic Produce Come Together
Greenhouse Pollination with Ron Lee of Lee’s Produce
Using Ice to Insulate Strawberries with Ron Lee
Professional Development
2020 Mentor for Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Mentor Match
2019-2020 Preparing for the Professoriate Program
2015-Present (Member) Entomological Society of America
2019-2020 Southeastern Branch ESA Student Affairs Committee
2017-Present (Member) North Carolina Entomological Society
2018-Present (Member) Science Communicators of North Carolina
2017-2019 NCSU Entomology Games Team
2015-2016 UGA Entomology Games Team
2019 Co-Organized the EntSoc ComSciCon Workshop
2018 NCSU Entomology Grad Student Association Fundraising Chair
2018 ComSciCon Triangle Workshop
2015 H.O. Lund Club Outreach and Extension Chair
Presentations
Academic Presentations
“Can fly gut content analysis improve our understanding of adult Drosophila suzukii food use?”
LJ Kraft, LM Diepenbrock, TL Sit, H. Ashrafi, R. Aryal, GE Fernandez, and HJ Burrack. Virtual Entomological Society of America, North-Central Branch Meeting, June 2021.
“Detection of fruit meals within laboratory-raised adult Drosophila suzukii guts.”
LJ Kraft, LM Diepenbrock, TL Sit, and HJ Burrack. Virtual Entomological Society of America Meeting, November 2020.
“Broader Impacts.”
LJ Kraft, LM Diepenbrock, TL Sit, and HJ Burrack. Outstanding PhD Student Award at North Carolina Entomological Society, October 2020, Raleigh, NC.
“Determining the effect of postharvest cold-storage treatment on the survival of immature Drosophila suzukii in small fruits.”
LJ Kraft and HJ Burrack. 10-Minute-Paper Talk. Southeastern Branch of the Entomological Society of America, March 2019, Mobile, AL.
“How fit are female-lethal flies? Determining if genetically modified berry pests are ready for the field.”
LJ Kraft, MJ Scott, and HJ Burrack. 3MT. NCSU Department of Entomology Student Symposium, February 2019, Raleigh, NC.
“A new tool in the toolbox? Using gut molecular content to monitor spotted-wing drosophila movement.”
LJ Kraft, LM Diepenbrock, T. Sit, and HJ Burrack. Poster. Entomological Society of America, November 2019, St. Louis, MO.
“How fit are male-only flies? Determining if genetically modified berry pests are ready for the field.”
LJ Kraft, MJ Scott, and HJ Burrack. Symposium Talk. Entomological Society of America, November 2018, Vancouver, Canada. Invited Presentation.
“Determining the effect of postharvest cold-storage treatment on the survival of immature Drosophila suzukii in small fruits.”
LJ Kraft and HJ Burrack. Poster. Entomological Society of America, November 2018, Vancouver, Canada.
“Can Defensive Symbionts Change the Composition of Natural Enemies Attacking the Pea Aphid?”
LJ Kraft and KM Oliver. 10-Minute-Paper Talk. Southeastern Branch of the Entomological Society of America, March 2016, Raleigh, NC.
“Can Defensive Symbionts Change the Composition of Natural Enemies Attacking the Pea Aphid?”
LJ Kraft and KM Oliver. Poster. Entomological Society of America, November 2015, Minneapolis, MN.
Extension Presentations
“New Pest Management Tactics for SWD and Broad Mite Update in the Southeast.”
Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference: Caneberry Educational Session. 2020.
“Optimizing cold storage treatments for postharvest control of spotted wing drosophila.”
Strawberry Field Day at Clayton Research Station. 2019.