Here is the famous Bug Blog! This is my most frequently updated page on the website. This is where I keep the world in touch with what's going on in the life of an entomologist, and share links of insect-related news from across the world. |
posted Mar 31, 2012 9:38 PM by John Dumont
So I apologize, I've been trying to update my website more often than I have been, but life as a grad student is very hectic. April will be a killer month, as I have MULTIPLE projects that have due dates, and on top of that, I'm a groomsman at my friend's wedding. My spring break was this past week, so starting Monday, it's crunch time. I always hate how quickly spring break seems to fly by. They say time flies by when you're having fun, but from my personal experience, it flies by even faster when you're busy. |
posted Feb 8, 2012 2:55 PM by John Dumont
Here are some pictures that my buddy Jeff took of a black being mechanically silked in the laboratory:
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posted Jan 16, 2012 9:55 PM by John Dumont
The new semester is almost here, and I feel rested and refreshed after a satisfying winter break of seeing friends and family. I am feeling optimistic about this coming semester. I can't remember if I mentioned this or not, but I taught a class as a teaching assistant (TA) this past semester, and I will be doing it again for Spring 2012. The class is Evolution and Diversity. I had fun last semester, but I expect this semester to go even smoother because I have taught the class once before. I have discovered that I genuinely enjoy teaching! I guess it fits my personality: I love being the center of attention. In other news, I have added new photos to the home page. I thought I needed a more updated picture that doesn't show me still having acne on my forehead. |
posted Dec 12, 2011 11:05 PM by John Dumont
Hello everyone,
I don't know if anyone still ever visits this page anymore, but if you do, I apologise profusely for forgetting to update my website in so long. As it turns out, running a website is more work than you might think. Alas, I am pledging to resume updating my website on a regular basis now. After all, I'm paying Google Inc. ten bucks a year for it, I might as well get my money's worth.
Tonight, I gave a presentation on my proposed thesis research at a poster presentation session. It's been so long since I updated the website, I haven't even had a chance to indulge any information. I feel awful. I've failed my own followers, using pure Twitter updates as an excuse not to update my website. I promise I will update more often now. Anyway, instead of explaining my research, I'm simply going to attach a PDF to this post of my poster! This is the sort of laziness that has resulted in such inexcusable negligence. |
posted Oct 26, 2011 6:50 PM by John Dumont
Being a grad student has proven to be very time-consuming. I apologize for the lack of updates and posts! I have been actively maintaining my Twitter account, @Insect_News, however. I am teaching a class, Evolution and Biodiversity, and it turns out I love teaching! My kids are smart and fun and it has been a very enjoyable experience. Learning to balance my research and time for teaching is still a skill I am in the process of perfecting... |
posted Aug 14, 2011 5:11 PM by John Dumont
I graduated from Texas A&M University on Friday, August 12. I now live in California, about to begin graduate studies at California State University, Fullerton. I have a place to live and a car and I love it here! The weather is always pleasant. There are palm trees everywhere. This is truly a pretty area of the country. I have been super busy lately, so I apologize for the lack of website editing. I promise, I have not forgotten about JohnDumont.com! I met my graduate advisor/sponsor, and already I like her. She is truly friendly, and she shares the same passion I do for black widow spiders. I received an assistantship, so I will be a TA for an introductory biology class. I will be very busy this semester, but the stipend from the assistantship will provide some much-needed income. That, in combination with my scholarship for in-state tuition and loans, should be all the money I need for the years I will spend in grad school. In-state tuition is very reasonable in California. I will be keeping my debt to a minimum. I will stay in school long enough until the economy (hopefully) improves. Who knew California could be so affordable? |
posted Jul 5, 2011 4:30 PM by John Dumont
As of Friday, I have fulfilled all my credit hour requirements to earn a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Entomology. Hooray! I'm so excited, it hasn't even sunk in yet. If you're one who reads a lot of my page, you'll know that I am not known for modesty. I am always very proud of my own achievements. Right now is my time to relax and unwind and celebrate all the hard work I put into school over the past eighteen years. Depending on whether I choose to go for my Doctorate or just stay at my Master's, I either have two or six, or perhaps even more, years of schooling ahead of me. But I'm not going to worry about that now. Right now is the time to take a deep breath the sweet smell of success. In spite of all the adversity, challenges, laziness, academic difficulty, genetics classes, calculus courses with bad professors, and procrastination, I was able to do what I had to do to end up on top. It feels good to be accomplished. Granted, I won't get too excited, because I know that a Bachelor's degree these days is about as valuable as a high school diploma, and I still have a long road ahead of me. But at least for now I can smile and get some much-needed rest before I move to California and my graduate studies begin. This is an awkward time for me now... I have completed everything to earn a Bachelor's degree, but I haven't graduated yet. This is because Texas A&M University only has commencement ceremonies at certain times, the next one being August 12, and I finished all my remaining requirements during Summer 1 session from May 21 - July 5. So from now until then, I'm an almnus-without-a-degree... too old to be an undergraduate, yet too young to a graduate. Fortunately, this is only a temporary transition phase. I will spend my time between now and when I move to California planning, preparing, selling valuable things, donating less valuable things, and getting organized. I've moved from Nevada to New Hampshire, and from New Hampshire to Texas. If there's one thing I've learned, it's how to cope with big moves. I'm an expert at it by this point in my life. Bring it on, life! I've never been so ready. |
posted Jun 1, 2011 3:47 PM by John Dumont
As you've probably noticed, my "Insect News" section has not been updated very recently. If you follow @Insect_News on Twitter, you'll see I update that everyday! I realize not everyone has Twitter so I'm in the process of trying to create a badge or widget that allows my tweets to be automatically sent to this website. I'll keep you all updated. |
posted Apr 26, 2011 4:58 PM by John Dumont
I have been accepted to California State University, Fullerton for graduate school! I will be in the Department of Biological Science working on either black widow spider silk protein synthesis or behavior under the advising of a Dr. Merri Lynn Casem. This is extremely exciting news, as I now have a plan for the fall! The future suddenly isn't so scary after all. I am absolutely ecstatic to have the opportunity to participate in studying my favorite animals ever. This also raises questions such as, how am I going to pay for it? How am I going to move out there? Where am I going to live? Will I have enough money to buy food? But I am confident the answers to these questions will come in time.
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posted Apr 19, 2011 6:02 PM by John Dumont
I am currently in the process of adding new pictures to the "Insect Orders" pages. I am making sure they are properly labeled and the source is cited. Also, I am beginning my job search... the long and arduous process of searching for employment in these economic troubled times. I'm not too worried though: I am talented, charming, charismatic, and handsome (and maybe a little narcissistic), I should be perfectly hireable!
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