Carolyn Trietsch ’12, M.S. ’14, and the Biotech Potential of Wasps

Is it possible that studying a small strain of parasitic wasp could unlock the door to new biotechnology and improved solar panels? Carolyn Trietsch ’12, M.S. ’14, thinks so.

Trietsch is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Entomology at Penn State University and working at Penn State’s Frost Entomological Museum. There, she is studying the super family of wasps known as ceraphronoid and making surprising discoveries.

Carolyn Trietsch ’12, M.S. ’14, a former Adelphi McDonell Summer Science Research Fellow, is now pursuing a Ph.D. in Entomology at Penn State University.

“A lot of people don’t know how to identify them,” Trietsch explained, “so we’re working on morphological and also genetic characteristics to identify these wasps.”

In studying the ceraphronoid wasps, Trietsch and other researchers found semitransparent patches on the abdomen, though the purpose of these patches is still unclear. “In other groups of wasps, [scientists] found that the patch is able to focus light on structures underneath the cuticle; the wasps are able to store solar energy, like a battery, and use it to fuel the metabolism,” she said.

She has recently submitted a request for a grant from the Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society to look more closely at the semitransparent panels found along some of the ceraphronoid wasps.

“What I thought would be interesting is if these semitransparent patches and cuticles could actually focus light on structures—then you can use that in solar technology to focus light in solar panels to make them more efficient.”

Trietsch believes that this small strain of parasitic wasp could lead to improved solar panels and new biotechnology.

Trietsch’s first experience with entomology research came from her participation in Adelphi’s Horace G. McDonell Summer Science Research Fellowship as an undergraduate. The grant allowed her to spend a summer on Long Island’s salt marshes collecting samples of insects to classify under the guidance of Associate Professor Matthias Foellmer, Ph.D.

“Working in the salt marshes identifying insects is how I taught myself entomology taxonomy, and how I got into taxonomy,” she said. “It also prepared me for fieldwork in my research now.”

The McDonell Fellowship began in 2011 through the generosity of Horace G. McDonell Jr. ’52,’02 (Hon.). Support from the alumnus and former Adelphi trustee allows students a $4,000 stipend to commit to a summer of fieldwork and research with the guidance of an Adelphi faculty member. The 10-week fellowship gives students a hands-on experience with scientific research: 39 students have participated since it began.

Trietsch’s younger brother, Michael Trietsch ’15, also participated in the fellowship. He conducted physics research at Adelphi and is now pursuing a second bachelor’s degree in engineering at Columbia University. “He actually just got an internship at Con Edison,” Carolyn added.

Others, like Ililochi Onwuzu ’12, have launched careers in high tech. Onwuzu received a master’s degree in applied physics from the University of Oregon and is currently a failure analysis engineer at Intel Corporation.

Trietsch’s evolution from classifying local insects over the summer to filling in taxonomic gaps has given her the chance to pursue the research that interests her the most.

“My experience in the marshes…really sparked my passion for entomology,” she said.