William C. Beckerson
Specializations
Neuroparasitology
Molecular Genetics
Discipline-based Education Research (Biology)
Research Interests
The ZomBeetle Lab conducts research in the field of neuroparasitology — a subdiscipline of biology that explores how some parasites manipulate the nervous systems and behaviors of their hosts. We are primarily focused on Eryniopsis and Ophiocordyceps species, fungi that infect and otherwise “zombify” beetles. Our work with zombie goldenrod soldier beetles is based here in the greater Chicago area while our work with Ophiocordyceps primarily takes place in South America. By uncovering how these fungi alter host behavior, we aim to develop new strategies for managing agricultural beetle pests such as the red palm weevil.
For more details, please visit my website: https://www.zombeetles.com
Education
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellow, Utrecht University, 2023
NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Biology, University of Central Florida, 2021
PhD, Biology, University of Louisville, 2020
MS, Biology, University of Louisville, 2017
BS, Biology, Georgetown College, 2013
Courses Taught
Biology 149: Biological Inquiry: Host-Pathogen Coevolution
Biology 221L: Molecules, Genes, and Cells
Biology 385L: Mycological Biotechnology
Biology 393: Research Projects
Select Publications
Beckerson, W. C., Werner, S., Goebbels, M., Ramalho, J. J., Soroka, I., Wingert, S. T., Swafford, A. J. M., Ruijtenberg, Rinkens, S. J. B., S., Boxem, M., Stephens, G. J., van den Heuvel, S., de Bekker, C. (2025). The first of us: Ophiocordyceps use a novel scramblase-binding peptide to manipulate zombie ants.
bioRxiv Preprint: https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.09.09.674826
Beckerson, W. C., Goebbels, M., Miller, B. J., St. Charles, N., Murray, J., de Bekker, C. (2026). Zombie ants VR: Trial-and-error gameplay mechanics can be used to teach players about natural selection. European Journal of STEM Education, 11(1), 22. https://doi.org/10.20897/ejsteme/18457
EdArXiv Preprint: https://doi.org/10.35542/osf.io/qm8v2_v2
Beckerson, W. C. (2025). Neuroparasitology: Fungal effectors induce feeding in zombie silkworms. Current Biology, 35(11), PR760-PR762. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2025.06.069
Beckerson, W. C., Krider, C.**, Mohammad, U. A.**, de Bekker, C. (2023). 28 minutes later: Investigating the role of aflatrem-like compounds in Ophiocordyceps parasite manipulation of zombie ants. Animal Behaviour, 203, 225-240. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2023.06.011
bioRxiv Preprint: https://doi.org/10.1101/2022.09.08.507134
Community Outreach
The ZomBeetle Lab is dedicated to science education and outreach. We participate in many community events, particularly in the fall and around Halloween! This includes events with groups like Pint of Science, FANEXPO, the Insect Asylum, and the Forest Preserves of Cook County. To make our work as accessible as possible, we have partnered with the Science Journal for Kids to republish our research for a younger audience:
Beckerson, W. C., Krider, C.**, Mohammad, U.**, de Bekker, C. (2025). Which chemical makes ants walk like zombies? Science Journal for Kids. https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/which-chemical-makes-ants-walk-like-zombies/.
Adapted from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2023.06.011
de Bekker, C., Beckerson, W. C., Carolyn, E. (2023). How do some fungi turn insects into zombies? Science Journal for Kids. https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-do-some-fungi-turn-insects-into-zombies/.
Adapted from: https://doi.org/10.1128/mBio.01872-21
We also have an active citizen science project empowering the community to contribute to real neuroparasitology research in the Midwest! You can learn more about upcoming community event at our outreach page on the ZomBeetles website: https://www.zombeetles.com/citizen-science
Media Appearances
William has appeared as a material expert on several media platforms, typically to talk about the science behind the hit videogame and television series The Last of Us:
The Last Show with David Cooper - https://www.lastshow.pizza/
The Colin McEnroe Show - https://www.ctpublic.org/show/the-colin-mcenroe-show/2023-02-06/the-fungus-among-us
VAL 202 - https://val202.rtvslo.si/podkast/frekvenca-x/31057643/174941558
Newsweek - https://www.newsweek.com/cordyceps-fungus-zombie-last-us-real-hbo-1774684
Inverse - https://www.inverse.com/science/last-of-us-hbo-zombie-science
The Wall Street Journal - https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/zombie-spiders-parasitic-fungus-5b938107?st=J2pjRp