social insect integrative biology
kennesaw state university
Our Research
Research in the Penick lab focuses on the evolution and ecological success of social insects (ants, bees, wasps, and termites). Pound for pound, social insects and humans make up the largest animal biomass on dry land and occupy nearly every terrestrial ecosystem. To understand the traits that have facilitated this success, our research takes an integrative approach that combines techniques in ecology, physiology, behavior, and evolution. We work with a broad variety of species from ecosystems that range from remote tropical forests to the sidewalks of New York City.
Support our research through the Holotype shop
Lab News
Dr. Penick on NPR’s Weekend Edition
https://www.npr.org/2021/04/18/988262580/the-incredible-shrinking-and-growing-brains-of-indian-jumping-antsNew research on incredible shrinking and expanding ant brains!
https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2021/04/ant-brain-reversible-shrinking/618578/ https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/indian-jumping-ants-shrink-and-regrow-brains https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/apr/14/indian-jumping-ants-have-ability-to-shrink-brain-and-re-grow-it-studyDo ants smell? Our lab weighs in on the TikTok debate
https://www.slowdown.tv/smell/the-sophisticated-scent-centric-language-of-antsQuanta Magazine features our glass sponge research
An article in Quanta Magazine features our NASA-funded research on the structural properties of glass sponges: https://www.quantamagazine.org/the-curious-strength-of-a-sea-sponges-glass-skeleton-20210111/Zach & Layne receive Mentor-Potégé award
Zach Peagler and Layne Buttram receive $3,000 Mentor-Potégé award to support research on fire ant antimicrobials