Anjel Helms

Areas of Expertise

• Chemical ecology
• Plant-insect interactions
• Multitrophic interactions
• Belowground chemical ecology
• Chemical communication
• Plant defense

Professional Summary

Anjel Helms, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Entomology at Texas A&M University and a core faculty member of the Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Ph.D. program. Her research and teaching interests lie in the fields of chemical ecology and plant-insect interactions. Her research has made significant contributions to the fields of entomology and chemical ecology by characterizing novel, chemically mediated interactions among plants, invertebrates, and microorganisms and applying these findings to develop sustainable agriculture solutions. Research in the Helms lab combines analytical chemistry and behavioral studies to investigate how organisms use chemicals to communicate, locate resources, form associations with other organisms, and defend themselves against threats. Dr. Helms teaches courses in insect ecology and chemical ecology and currently serves as the faculty advisor for the Aggie Women in Entomology organization.

Selected Publications

1. Marmolejo, L.O., Thompson, M.N., Helms, A.M. (2021) Defense Suppression through Interplant Communication Depends on the Attacking Herbivore Species. Journal of Chemical Ecology. 47, 1049–1061 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-021-01314-6
2. Grunseich, J.M., Thompson, M.N., Hay, A.A., Gorman, Z., Kolomiets, M.V., Eubanks, M.D., Helms A.M. (2020) Risky roots and careful herbivores: Sustained herbivory by a root-feeding herbivore attenuates indirect plant defences. Functional Ecology. 34,1779–1789 https://doi. org/10.1111/1365-2435.13627
3. Helms, A.M., Ray, S., Matulis, N.L., Kuzemchak, M.C., Grisales, W., Tooker, J.F., Ali, J.G. (2019) Chemical cues linked to risk: Cues from belowground natural enemies enhance plant defences and influence herbivore behaviour and performance. Functional Ecology. 33, 798-808 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.13297
4. Helms, A. M., De Moraes, C. M., Tröger, A., Alborn, H. T., Francke, W., Tooker, J. F., Mescher, M. C. (2017) Identification of an insect-produced olfactory cue that primes plant defenses. Nature Communications. 8,1-9 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-00335-8
5. Helms, A. M., De Moraes, C. M., Tooker, J. F., Mescher, M. C. (2013) Exposure of Solidago altissima plants to volatile emissions of an insect antagonist (Eurosta solidaginis) deters subsequent herbivory. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 110, 199-204

All Publications

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