Janice L. Krumm, PhD
- Associate Professor
Affiliated Programs
Education
- PhD, Evolutionary Biology (2006)
University of California, Riverside (CA) - BS, Zoology (1995)
Michigan State University (MI)
About Me
I have broad interests in ecology and evolution and I enjoy sharing my passion for these subjects with my students. My research has spanned aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, including field work and laboratory work. Currently, my students and I spend time working with specimens at a natural history museum! I love bringing authentic research experiences into my courses, sparking interest in exploring new questions and expanding access to these important opportunities.
Research Interests
Currently, in collaboration with Dr. Elizabeth Shea at the Delaware Museum of Nature and Science, my students are exploring predator prey interactions using marine gastropod shell collections. Predators of marine snails often leave evidence of attempted and successful predation attempts on the shells of their prey, including drill holes and cracks in the shells. Paleontologists have used this type of predation evidence to describe ancient ecological interactions. In the Krumm lab, we are applying this technique to recent shell collections, allowing examination of predator-prey interactions of marine gastropod populations that are otherwise challenging to access due to location and depth. Our lab is currently working on:
- Characterization of predator shell damage in Family Terebridae. Does damage differ in frequency, size, and other characteristics across species in recent (non-fossil) shells
- Do different drilling predators of the Terebridae, distinguished by the shape of the drill hole, differ in where they attempt to create a hole in the shell? Is the hole location impacted by predator size or shell outer wall thickness?
The Krumm lab is also examining morphological variation in Family Xenophoridae, the carrier shells. These marine gastropods attach found objects in their environments to their shells, including shells and rocks. There are multiple hypotheses that attempt to explain this attachment behavior. We are currently working on:
- Characterization and comparison of shell footprints between species in Family Xenophoridae. Do we see regional variation within species? Do species with overlapping ranges show similarities in shell footprint patterns, such as width and shape of footprint?
My research and service interests also extend beyond my laboratory at Widener University, leading to the creation of BCEENET (Biological Collections in Ecology and Evolution Network), a research coordination network in undergraduate biology education. Undergraduate research experiences were a pivotal point in my career trajectory, leading me to pursue research in ecology and evolution. I am committed to expanding those opportunities for both my students, and undergraduates beyond my institution. As PI of BCEENET, I’ve had the opportunity to support faculty at diverse institutions in embedding research in their courses as CUREs (Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences) through CURE development and faculty development workshops. Additionally, I am involved in a large-scale assessment of BCEENET CUREs, demonstrating the value of participating in these CUREs through measures of student belonging and skills building.
Publications
- DeVan, C., Bunker, D., Flemming, A., Konsolaki, M., Krohn, A., Shea, L., Sosiak, C., Waring, E., Bronson, C., Krumm, J. L., Jordan, C. (2025). Morphology CURE: Exploring the effects of invasion on plant morphology. BCEENET- Biological Collections in Ecology & Evolution Network, (Version 2.0). QUBES Educational Resources. doi:10.25334/60MP-N775. https://qubeshub.org/publications/3471/1
- Sorojsrisom, E. S., Krumm, J. L., Trillo, P. A. (2025). Measuring size and area of digitized specimens using ImageJ. BCEENET- Biological Collections in Ecology & Evolution Network, QUBES Educational Resources. https://qubeshub.org/publications/3120/1
- Krumm, J. L., Jordan, C. N., Bronson C. D., Weglarz, K. M., Genet, K., Johnson, M. G., Phillips, M., Flemming, A., Shea, E. K., Hewlett, J., Soltis, P. S., McCarthy, J. L., Trillo, P. A., & Woods, J. L. (2024). Improving accessibility of undergraduate research experiences using digitized natural history collections CUREs. Ecosphere 15(11): e70038. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.70038
- Trillo, P. A., Sorojsrisom, E. S., Jordan, C. N., Krumm, J. L. (2022). Sexual Dimorphism CURE: Exploring melanized wing patterns of Pieridae butterflies. BCEENET- Biological Collections in Ecology & Evolution Network, QUBES Educational Resources. doi:10.25334/YSQZ-0J68. https://qubeshub.org/publications/3250/1
- Jordan, C. N., Krumm, J. L., Doan, T. M., Kilgore, J. S., & Linton, D. (2019). How many critters can an island hold? Using digitized natural history collections to test real hypotheses about island biogeography. Proceedings of the Association for Biology Laboratory Education, 40(9), 1-21. https://www.ableweb.org/biologylabs/wp-content/uploads/volumes/vol-40/9_Jordan.pdf
- Krumm, J. L., Perkowski, E. A.*, Mecouch, K. E.*, Woods, J. L., Shea, E. K., Goraya, I.*, & Tran, T.* (2018). Teaching and mentoring across traditional boundaries: 2 institutions, 3 mentors, 10 students, and 1 global data set. Perspectives on Undergraduate Research and Mentoring, 7(1). http://blogs.elon.edu/purm/files/2018/10/Krumm-et-al_Main-1.pdf
- Aguilar, A., Maeda-Martínez, A. M., Murugan, G., Obregón-Barboza, H., Rogers, D. C., McClintock, K., Krumm, J. L. (2017). High intraspecific genetic divergence in the versatile fairy shrimp Branchinecta lindahli with a comment on cryptic species in the genus Branchinecta (Crustacea: Anostraca). Hydrobiologia, 801(1), 59-69. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-017-3283-3
- Zhou, W., Starr, J. L., Krumm, J. L., Sword, G. A. (2016). The fungal endophyte Chaetomium globosum negatively affects both above-and belowground herbivores in cotton. FEMS Microbiology Ecology, 92(10), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1093/femsec/fiw158
- Leung, W., Shaffer, C. D., Reed, L. K., Smith, S. T., Barshop, W., Dirkes, W., Dothager, M., Lee, P., Wong, J., Xiong, D., Yuan, H., Bedard, J. E. J., Machone, J. F., Patterson, S. D., Price, A. L., Turner, B. A., Robic, S., Luippold, E. K., McCartha, S. R., . . .Krumm, J. L., . . . & Elgin, S. C. R. (2015). The Drosophila Muller F elements maintain a distinct set of genomic properties over 40 million years of evolution. G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics, 5(5), 719-740. https://doi.org/10.1534/g3.114.015966
- Krumm, J. L., Nagengast, A. A., Moretti, A.*, Colgan. M.*, Fisher, K. E.*, Hy, K. L.*, Castellante, R. M.*, & Poslusny, M. (2014). Summer research program on a shoestring budget: Increasing participation in undergraduate research. Perspectives on Undergraduate Research and Mentoring, 3(2). http://blogs.elon.edu/purm/files/2014/04/Krumm-et-al-PURM-3.2-final.pdf
- Krumm, J. L. (2013). Axial gynandromorphy and sex determination in Branchinecta lindahli (Branchiopoda: Anostraca). Journal of Crustacean Biology, 33(3), 303-308. https://doi.org/10.1163/1937240X-00002146
Professional Affiliations & Memberships
- Biological Collections in Ecology and Evolution Network (BCEENET), Research Coordination Network, PI
- Research Associate, Delaware Museum of Nature and Science, Wilmington, DE
Awards
- Widener University, Fitz Dixon Innovation in Teaching Award, 2023
- Widener University, College of Arts & Sciences, Faculty Award for Excellence in Research (Science), 2021
- NSF IUSE Award #2235808 “Maximizing the Impacts of Inclusive Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences: from Hypothesis to Undergraduate Conference Participation” 2023-2028
- NSF RCN-UBE Award #2120063 “RCN-UBE: Broadening undergraduate participation in ecology and evolution research through CUREs using digitized natural history collections data” 2021-2025
- NSF RAPID Award #2032158 “Development of online-based research experiences to mitigate the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on undergraduate biology education.” 2020-2021
- NSF RCN-UBE Incubator Award #1920385 “Network for the Integration of Natural History Collections in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences.” 2019-2020
News
In the Media
- Delaware County Daily Times
Widener honors professors
Noteworthy
Widener Commends Faculty at 2023 Awards Event
Widener honored faculty members for their high distinction in areas of civic engagement, institutional leadership, research, as well as innovative and distinguished teaching. Various faculty were awarded at the ceremony, held Thursday, October 19 in Lathem Hall.
“The professors who were honored at our annual awards ceremony continuously display commitment to teaching, civic engagement, meaningful research, remarkable leadership, and cutting-edge innovation. They are highly valued colleagues and represent core values for which Widener stands," said Provost Andrew Workman.
The awards included:- The Distinguished University Professor Award honors faculty members of high distinction at the University who also demonstrate the institution is committed to recognizing excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service throughout faculty members’ careers. This year's recipients were College of Health and Human Services Professor, Stephen E. Kauffman as well as College of Arts and Sciences Professor, Alexis A. Nagengast.
- College of Arts and Sciences Professor Dana Olanoff was awarded with the Lindback Distinguished Teaching Award. This award is given to a faculty member who has exemplified a history of teaching at the highest level of distinction. It is endowed by the Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation, a Philadelphia-based foundation that provides grants to institutions of higher education for the promotion of excellence in teaching.
- The Faculty Award for Civic Engagement serves to recognize the outstanding contributions that faculty members have made in accordance with Widener’s civic engagement mission, as well as solidifying Widener students’ understanding of their social responsibilities, and the impact of their disciplinary learning. This year's recipients included faculty from the College of Arts and Sciences: Associate Professor Angela M. Corbo, Professor J. Wesley Leckrone, and Associate Dean of Social Science and Professor James E. Vike.
- College of Arts and Sciences Associate Professor Michael Toneff was awarded the Outstanding Researcher Award. This award gives recognition to a faculty member who has participated in research and scholarship nationally or internationally, and made a significant contribution through their research, while advancing their profession or discipline as well as the university’s mission and vision.
- The Fitz Dixon Innovation in Teaching Award highlights an individual who has designed, implemented, and assessed an innovative or experimental teaching and learning project. This award was presented to College of Arts and Sciences Associate Professor Janice Krumm.
- The Faculty Institutional Leadership Award recognizes a record of leading initiatives that further the university’s vision, mission, and strategic objectives. This year’s award recipients were College of Health and Human Services Associate Professor Marina Barnett, who is also interim assistant provost for civic engagement, and College of Arts and Sciences Associate Professor Bretton Alvare.
Share link: https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/widener-commends-faculty-2023-awards-event
Biology Faculty Receives Continued National Science Foundation Funding
Associate Professor of Biology Janice Krumm is the recipient of over $143,000 from the National Science Foundation to continue a multi-year project aimed at making undergraduate research more accessible for students. This is the fourth grant that this project has received, bringing the total funding to nearly $2 million of which nearly half has been awarded directly to Widener.
Krumm served as primary investigator for the first three awards and is now collaborating with additional researchers from George Washington University, Texas Tech University, Westfield State University, and Anoka-Ramsey Community College. The project has been focused on creating Course Based Undergraduate Research (CURE) classes which utilize a newly created online database of natural history resources that are free and available for use by students across the country.
This new funding will:
- Support recruitment and training of more faculty nationwide to implement accessible CURE strategies into their classrooms
- Allow researchers, like Dr. Krumm, to assess the effectiveness of these new practices using newly designed research instruments
- Provide funding to support students participating in these CURE courses to attend national conferences to present their research. Dr. Krumm estimates that nearly 100 students will be able to attend and present their work over the next 3 years.
Biology Professor Awarded Nearly $500,000 Grant to Support Undergraduate Research Network
Associate Professor of Biology Janice Krumm has been awarded nearly $500,000 from the National Science Foundation to lead and expand a national network that increases access to undergraduate research opportunities in ecology and evolution.
Krumm secured the grant in collaboration with Associate Professor Carly Jordan at The George Washington University and curators Jean Woods and Elizabeth Shea at the Delaware Museum of Natural History.
The grant supports the expansion of the Biological Collections in Ecology and Evolution Network (BCEENET), a community of undergraduate educators, pedagogy experts, and natural history collections professionals who collaborate to support the development and implementation of Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences, or CUREs, using digitized natural history collections data.
CUREs engage undergraduates in authentic research experiences and are known to increase engagement, retention, and long-term success in undergraduates, particularly in students from underrepresented populations in STEM fields.
The courses provide educators and students opportunities to collaborate on research projects using the millions of specimen records on publicly available data portals, resulting in unique and innovative opportunities for research in ecology and evolution.