• Karl E. Weick ’58 - Spends Life Studying Behavior
• James T. Dove ’61 - Leads With Heart
• The Rev. J. Michael Nace ’70 - Combines Ministry And Music
• Sue Fralick ’78, Karen Scott-Pine ’89, Melinda Massie ’93 and Beth Frock ’04 - Proudly Serve Together in Springfield
• Jake Kallgren ’06, Angela Trego ’04, Kevin Rose ’03 And Charlie McFarland ’92 - Look To Revitalize University’s Hometown
• Rebecca O’Flaherty ’95 - Finds Art In Insects

As a forensic entomologist, someone who studies insects at crime scenes, Rebecca O’Flaherty has developed an innovative way to inspire children and adults to appreciate the creepy-crawling critters in their world using a medium most comfortable to her, maggots.

Since 2001, O’Flaherty has taught thousands of elementary schoolaged children, law enforcement experts and all ages in between how to paint using the worm-shaped larva of flies as their guide. Called Maggot Art, O’Flaherty’s trademarked program, which she devised and launched while at the University of Hawaii, aims to break down people’s fears of insects.

“I tend to target young elementary students, second- and thirdgraders, because I find that at that age, most children are enthusiastic, uninhibited and extremely open to new ideas,” O’Flaherty explained in a press release at the University of California at Davis, where she is a doctoral student. “They haven’t developed aversions to insects, and we’re able to instill in them an appreciation for and interest in all organisms, no matter how disgusting those organisms may be perceived to be.”

Her teaching tools are simple: white copier paper, non-toxic water-based paint, forceps and lots of live maggots gleaned from her research on blowflies. Her students then dip the maggots in various colors and let them loose on the paper to see what designs develop.

In addition to bringing her program to kids’ classrooms and criminal investigation labs, she also hosts a program during UCDavis’ annual Picnic Day, attracting more than 2,000 participants to her table. Her work has even been featured on the set of CBS’ popular TV series CSI, which commissioned a piece for the show’s forensic entomologist and leading character Gil Grissom played by William Petersen. Titled “Ancient Offering,” the framed artwork hangs in Grissom’s CSI office. O’Flaherty’s work has also been featured on NPR’s All Things Considered.

“The beauty of the Maggot Art program is its ability to give handson, non-threatening experience with an insect that most people fear or loathe,” she said. “I love my work.”

— Karen Gerboth ’93