Chao "Jimmy" Wu

For over a decade, I have tried to gain better understanding within the world of arthropods. As a biologist, it was obvious that the level of neglect for the arthropods was exceptionally high. But that was just the beginning. My new-found interest in biological and biomedical research has led to a new level of understanding. I had found an unconditional love within personal, independent research. As a student who is interested in biology, I strive to make people understand the world, as well as the world we can make better. One area which I have greatly persisted upon for four years is entomology in association to biological interdependence. For most people, the study of arthropods seems impossible, detesting, and even revolting. What many don’t realize is the importance of these organisms to our planet. Within my research, I have helped not only the students of my school to better understand the importance of arthropods, but also allowed BugGuide.net (one of the largest databases for insects and arachnids) to add a completely new species of spider to their guide, which previously had so little information that no page was dedicated to it. Now, the Tigrosa grandis will forever be a part of the identification key. While obtaining the voucher images for the T. grandis was quite rewarding, there are more to this “research” than just interest. These prompts have allowed for a compilation of essays, displays, videos and speeches which cooperatively persuaded and taught people about not only the importance of conservation, but also the importance of protecting the organisms which are so violently mistreated – the arthropods. Through my project, I have made discoveries within insect behavior and published my findings online for the public to view (some of these research papers are listed in the "research" tab above). Plus, it also sparked new thought within previous arthropod behavior. Now a junior in college, I have slowly spread my outreach to newer areas of interest, including biomedical applications of arthropod secretions and venoms (kind of odd to think that a spider's venom may be the next method to treat genetic disease...). Perhaps such research could not only battle the level of antibiotic resistance within pathogens, but also conserve so much of the biological diversity that is on the verge of extirpation and extinction. That is the drive; the drive to achieve the impossible from a different angle; the drive to attack the inconceivable from a different viewpoint; the drive to go against the "status quo" and allow many to realize the truth behind years of negativity and misunderstanding. 

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Of course, when I’m not in the classroom, I enjoy birding around the country and checking species off of the list! Starting in 2014, I have obtained about 370 species onto my life list! In addition, I am a self-taught wildlife, outdoor and nature photographer. Don’t hesitate to click around this site to see some of the images from my adventures!

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- Chao