Insect research for
a better world.

About us

The Barrett Lab is a welcoming space for evidence-based and interdisciplinary entomological scholarship. Our mission is to uncover truths about insects’ experiences.

We work collaboratively with producers, ethicists, animal welfare scientists, neuroethologists, and entomologists to improve insect welfare and understand insect sensory biology.

Meghan Barrett, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Biology at Indiana University Indianapolis

Barrett is focused on understanding the evolution and plasticity of insects’ sensory systems and the welfare of farmed insects. She maintains an interest in thermal adaptation from her PhD and postdoctoral research days.

Barrett completed her NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Biology at California State University Dominguez Hills (2022-2023). She earned her Ph.D. in Biology and M.S. in Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum at Drexel University in 2022. She earned her BS in Biology and English/Creative Writing from the State University of New York in 2016.

Barrett is a Co-PI of the NSF Center for Environmental Sustainability through Insect Farming (NSF CEIF). She is also the Founding Director of the Insect Welfare Research Society.

Our values

We believe deeply in the RADICAL way knowledge can reshape our world.

We are careful in our search for the truth, even if it is uncomfortable or controversial. We own up to our mistakes and take accountability, knowing that this is the path to our own improvement and keeping others' trust.

We recognize our responsibility to be proactive and practical in our approach to ethical research practices. We are life-long, open-minded, interdisciplinary learners. We seek opportunities to grow. Each day, we recommit to doing our best.

Did you know?

Insects can have brains as big as vertebrates! The Algerian sand gecko and P. thisbe wasps each have ~1.8 million neurons. The largest insects’ brains have yet to be studied.

Meet the Team

  • Selma Adie

    UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCHER

    Selma Adie is a senior Biology undergraduate student with minors in Spanish and Chemistry. She has a passion for environmental and cellular biology research and hopes to continue on to a graduate school program in either field. During her free time, she loves creating art and reading horror novels.

  • Erin Atkinson

    UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCHER

    Erin Atkinson is a sophomore Biology major with a minor in environmental science. She is passionate about studying marine biology after her bachelor's and hopes to focus on research and conservation.

  • Samuel Durosaro, PhD

    POSTDOCTORAL SCHOLAR

    Dr. Samuel Durosaro was originally trained as a geneticist but developed a passion for animal welfare/behavior, leading him to co-create Animal Welfare Group Nigeria (a platform where scientists all over the world discuss animal welfare/behavior). Dr. Durosaro believes farmed insect welfare is underexplored, especially as insects will likely be the future of food. He is particularly interested in humane handling, transportation and slaughter, welfare assessment, and precision farming practices.

  • Angie Gomez

    UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCHER

    Angie is a fourth year undergrad student double majoring in Forensic Science and Biology. After graduating she plans to become a pathologist assistant or an autopsy technician. In her free time she likes to care for her plants, watch/listen to true crime stories, and read.

  • Ellie Jones

    UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCHER

    Ellie Jones is a senior currently pursuing a bachelors degree in Forensic Biology and Biology with a minor in Psychology. She is hoping to become a blood spatter analyst in the future and is excited to start that process. When she’s not at school or work she enjoys playing with her cat, hanging out with her friends, and making music.

  • Elijah Persson-Gordon

    MASTERS STUDENT

    Elijah Persson-Gordon is earning his MS in Biology. Elijah is smiley and curious. He is working on the behavior of black soldier fly larvae and enjoys dancing, learning, and watching Impractical Jokers.

  • Rodrigo Rodriguez Guevara

    UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCHER

    Rodrigo Rodriguez Guevara is pursuing a BS in Biology and a BS in Neuroscience with a strong interest in psychology and neurology. As an undergraduate, he is passionate about research in these fields and hopes to further his studies in a graduate program. Outside of academics, he enjoys exploring nature and outdoor walks.

  • Paloma Zacarias

    MASTERS STUDENT

    Paloma Zacarias is earning her MS in Biology after graduating from IUI with a BS in Neuroscience, a minor in Psychology, and a passion for related research. She intends to pursue a PhD or MD. During her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her dog and working out.

  • Craig Perl, PhD - SOON!

    Dr. Craig Perl is an entomologist with diverse interests in physiology, sensory ecology and morphology. He has a strong desire to leverage the skills he has acquired to do the most possible good. This rather high-minded ethic has lead him to apply his recent efforts to the burgeoning field of insect welfare; where he has produced statistical materials to aid in animal reduction, conducted experiments to improve industrial slaughter and investigated trends in ethical reporting among entomologists.

Current Collaborators

  • Sarah Adcock

    Assistant Professor of Animal Welfare, University of Wisconsin Madison

    Reproducibility and welfare in insect research

  • Amaya Albalat

    Senior Lecturer, Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, Scotland, UK

    Electrical stunning of farmed insects

  • Jessica Cait

    Postdoctoral Fellow, Canadian Council on Animal Care

    Reproducibility and welfare in insect research

  • Bob Fischer

    Professor of Philosophy, Texas State University

    Ethics of insect use

  • Katie Fiocca

    NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Stanford University

    Black soldier fly adult nutrition

  • Nathan Fried

    Assistant Teaching Professor of Biology, Rutgers University, Camden

    Black soldier fly larval chronic pain

  • Jay K. Goldberg

    Visiting Research Scientist, John Innes Centre

    Mantis nociception and disease

  • Joseph Gottlieb

    Assistant Professor of Philosophy, Texas Tech University

    Frameworks for insect sentience

  • Meredith Johnson

    Postdoctoral Fellow, North Dakota State University

    Physiological indicators of farmed insect welfare

  • Matt Kasson

    Associate Professor of Forest Pathology and Mycology, West Virginia University

    Effects of Massospora infection on cicada neuroanatomy

  • Terry McGlynn

    Professor of Biology, California State University Dominguez Hills

    Reflectance of solar radiation as thermal adaptation

  • Aileen McLellan

    Postdoctoral Fellow, Canadian Council on Animal Care

    Reproducibility and welfare in insect research

  • Tom Raffel

    Associate Professor of Biology, Oakland University

    Semantic value associations in the ecological study of parasites

  • Allison Shultz

    Associate Curator, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

    Reflectance of solar radiation as thermal adaptation

  • Ed Waddell

    Assistant Professor of Biology, Holy Family University

    Black soldier fly adult nutrition

Join the Lab!

We are a passionate, proactive group that values collaboration, growth, and reflection. If you love data, animal welfare, and neurobiology, explore opportunities to join our team!