Rate My Professor Lynn Kimsey

Kimsey's research focuses on the biology, evolution, systematics, phylogeny, biodiversity, and biogeography of insects, particularly parasitic wasps in families Tiphiidae, Chrysididae, Sphecidae, Pompilidae, Apidae, and Crabronidae, along with functional morphology, mating behavior of wasps and bees, urban entomology, and civil forensic entomology. She has published over 140 scientific papers and three books, including California Cuckoo Wasps in the Family Chrysididae (2006), and described more than 200 new species and 17 new genera. Kimsey secured over $9 million in grants from the National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and State of California. Her influence extends through presidency of the International Society of Hymenopterists (2002-2004), service on the Natural Science Collections Alliance board (2000-2001), and identification of approximately 2,000 insects annually for public and professional inquiries. Awards include Fellow of the California Academy of Sciences (2025), C.W. Woodworth Award (2020), Systematics, Evolution, and Biodiversity Award (2014), and Outstanding Team Award as part of The Bee Team (2013), all from the Pacific Branch Entomological Society of America; UC Davis Academic Senate Distinguished Scholarly Public Service Award (2016); and College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Exceptional Faculty Award (2023).