An Oecophylla smaragdina queen being groomed by three of her workers

About the PI

I’m a biologist with a passion for both research and teaching. My research interests span behavior and sensory ecology, focusing on the use of arthropods to study communication, navigation, and perception. Currently, my lab studies reproductive regulation in three polydomous ant species: the Australian weaver ant (Oecophylla smaragdina) and the desert harvester ants (Novomessor cockerelli and Novomessor albisetosus).

I’m a faculty member in the School of Life Sciences (SOLS) at Arizona State University (ASU) and also serve as the Director of the ASU Online Master of Science in Biology Program.

As an educator, I’m dedicated to teaching and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students in biology, both inside and outside the classroom. I actively work on improving my teaching by utilizing evidence-based practices.

To provide undergraduates with opportunities to deepen their knowledge of biology and develop leadership skills, I developed the undergraduate teaching assistant program, PETALS. Additionally, I founded and advise the BioBanter student committees, which create opportunities for students and faculty within the School of Life Sciences to interact casually while discussing science-related topics.

Jessie Ebie, PhD
(she/her)
Associate Teaching Professor
Director ASU Online Biology MS Program

Education

PhD in Animal Behavior, School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University
Co-Advisors: Dr. Juergen Liebig and Dr. Bert Hoelldobler
May 2020
MS in Biology, Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati
Advisor: Dr. John Layne
May 2012
BA in Biology and Psychology, Wittenberg University
May 2004

Academic Appointments

Associate Teaching Professor/Director ASU Online Biology MS Program
School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ
August 2023–Present

Residential Facutly
Life Sciences Division, Estrella Mountain Community College
Avondale, AZ
August 2020–May 2023

Associate Teaching Professor/Director ASU Online Biology MS Program
School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ
August 2023–Present

Teaching Experience

Teaching Portfolio

Visit my teaching portfolio using the button above.
Contact Jessie (jebie@asu.edu) for the password.

Sections within portfolio

  • Sample lessons

  • Sample assessments

  • Undergraduate teaching assistant training program

  • Student testimonials

  • Graduate and undergraduate TA testimonials

  • Student and peer course evaluations

Courses

In-Person Instruction​

Undergraduate courses:

  • Bio 100: Biology for non-majors

  • Bio 181: General Biology I (Majors)

  • Bio 182: General Biology I (Majors)

  • Bio 194: Cutting-Edge Biology: Conversations w/SOLS Faculty

  • BIO 281: Conceptual approaches for biology majors I

  • BIO 282: Conceptual approaches for biology majors II

  • Bio 331: Animal Behavior

  • Bio 394: Belize Tropical Reef and Rainforest Conservation (study abroad)

  • Bio 435: Research strategies in animal behavior

  • BIO 492: Honors directed study

  • Bio 494: Advanced study practicum - lecture

  • BIO 494: Topic: Gut-The Inside Story of Our Body’s Most Underrated Organ

  • BIO 495: Undergraduate research

Graduate courses:

  • BIO 598: TA Preparation for Life Sciences Courses

  • ANB 601: Research strategies in animal behavior

  • ANB 602: Current Issues in Behavior

Online Instruction

Undergraduate courses:

  • Bio 100: Biology for non-majors

  • Bio 181: General Biology I (Majors)

  • Bio 182: General Biology I (Majors)

  • Bio 194: Cutting-Edge Biology: Conversations w/SOLS Faculty

  • BIO 282: Conceptual approaches for biology majors II

  • BIO 432: Why do we cheat, steal, and lie?

  • Bio 494: Advanced study practicum - lecture

Graduate courses:

  • BIO 598: Capstone

Refereed Publications

  1. Supriya, K., Bang, Christofer, Ebie, Jessica, Pagliarulo, Christopher, Tucker, Derek, Villegas, Kaela, Wright, Christian, and Brownell, Sara. Optional exam retakes reduce anxiety but may exacerbate score disparities between students with different social identities. CBE – Life Sciences Education, 2024. Accepted & to appear in upcoming issue.

  2. Ebie, Jessica D, Hölldobler, Bert., and Liebig, Jürgen. Larval regulation of worker reproduction in the polydomous ant Novomessor cockerelli. The Science of Nature, 102:72, 2015. doi:10.1007/s00114-015-1323-2

  3. Penick, CA, Ebie, J, and Moore, D. A non-destructive method for identifying the sex of ant larvae. Insectes Sociaux, 61:51–55. 2014. doi:10.1007/s00040-013-0323-5

Complete CV