Serving the San Francisco Bay Area

Bug Education for all!

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A woman with short hair wearing a colorful sleeveless top smiles and holds a large tarantula on her outstretched hand.
Illustration of a bug with black, white, and green markings on its wings and body, with six legs and two antennae.
Illustration of a beetle with black and white markings on its body, detailed legs, antennae, and head.

Stephanie A. Dole, Ph.D

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Stephanie A. Dole, Ph.D. has been educating the public about insects since 1997. Her extensive experience as a scientist, educator, and researcher includes:

  • Bachelor's Degree in Entomology from University of California, Davis

  • Ph.D. in Entomology from Michigan State University

  • Teaching at Texas A&M University (General and Aquatic Entomology Laboratories), University of San Francisco (Biology of Insects), and CuriOdyssey museum (Pre-K Science Together classes).

  • Presentations on insects to the public at California Public Libraries, CuriOdyssey Museum, Bay Area Discovery Museum, The Exploratorium San Francisco,  Marin Master Gardeners, Modesto Community College, Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, Great Valley Museum, as well as public and private schools throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. 

    • University of California Davis, Texas A&M University, Michigan State University’s Bug House, Michigan and California public schools, Filoli Gardens, CuriOdyssey museum, Bee Keepers Guild of San Mateo County, and California Academy of Sciences.

    • National Science Foundation funded Ph.D. dissertation research on the diversity of tropical bark beetles, which included the description of 5 previously unknown beetle species, and one new genus.

    • Extensive field experience photographing, collecting and studying insects in the Ecuadorian Amazon, Costa Rica, Guyana, Thailand, the Sonoran Desert, the Sierra Nevada, and throughout California.

    • Publication of 9 scientific research articles in journals such as Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution and the Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences.

    • In 2026, Beetlelady will be releasing her first book, Bug Superpowers, with Storey Publishing. 

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Upcoming events.

Get ready for an unforgettable encounter with the amazing world of bugs! Join Beetlelady—Ph.D. entomologist, educator, and insect enthusiast—for hands-on experiences that bring science and nature to life. From live bug encounters to fascinating displays and interactive activities, Beetlelady’s events inspire curiosity and respect for the tiny creatures that share our planet. Perfect for all ages, these events are equal parts education and awe. Check the Event Calendar to see where the bugs will pop up next!