Professional summary
Ivy is interested, on a broad scale, in ecology, evolution, and organismal biology, with a particular focus on using insect communities as a pivotal study model. Throughout her career, she has worked on diverse projects delving into the spatial-temporal dynamics of butterfly populations, the intricacies of ant-acacia mutualisms, the ecology of harvester ants, and the dynamics of invasive species in the ecological landscape of Kenya.
Beyond her ecological research, Ivy has extended her expertise to the realms of environmental education, climate justice, and risk assessment. Her multifaceted engagement underscores her commitment to addressing complex environmental challenges and fostering a comprehensive understanding of ecological systems.
Ivy is currently focused on evaluating the efficacy of field margins in mitigating the impact of spray drift on non-target lepidopteran species — an order of winged insects that includes butterflies and moths. Her approach involves the use of a trait-based methodology to decipher exposure scenarios, coupled with the application of molecular tools to unravel differential sensitivity within her targeted organisms.
Morrison, Colin, Robert Plowes, Ivy Ng’iru, Aaron Rhodes, Dino Martins, and Lawrence Gilbert. "Arthropod associates of Kenyan buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris): a field survey for biological control candidates of a globally important invasive grass." African Entomology 31 (2023).
Orteu, Anna, Marek Kucka, Eunice Katili, Charo Ngumbao, Ian J. Gordon, Ivy Ng'iru, Gerard Talavera et al. "Transposable element insertions are associated with Batesian mimicry in the pantropical butterfly Hypolimnas misippus." bioRxiv (2023): 2023-07.
Talavera, Gerard, Aurora García-Berro, Valery NK Talla, Ivy Ng’iru, Farid Bahleman, Khadim Kébé, Kelvin M. Nzala et al. "The Afrotropical breeding grounds of the Palearctic-African migratory painted lady butterflies (Vanessa cardui)." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 120, no. 16 (2023): e2218280120.
Rhodes, Aaron C., Robert M. Plowes, Dino J. Martins, Ivy Ng’Iru, and Lawrence E. Gilbert. " The invasiveness of Guinea grass (Megathyrsus maximus) is characterized by habitat and differing herbivore assemblages in its native and invaded range." NeoBiota 78 (2022): 25-44.
Liu, Wanzhen, David AS Smith, Gayatri Raina, Rowan Stanforth, Ivy Ng'Iru, Piera Ireri, Dino J. Martins, Ian J. Gordon, and Simon H. Martin. "Global biogeography of warning coloration in the butterfly Danaus chrysippus." Biology letters 18, no. 6 (2022): 20210639.