Geraldine Wright

Professor Geraldine Wright is the Hope Professor of Entomology at the University of Oxford's Department of Biology. She holds roles as Section Director of Graduate Studies (Admissions & Progression) and Professorial Fellow at Jesus College. Her research focuses on insect sensory systems, nutritional regulation, and pollinator health, with emphasis on honeybees and bumblebees. Key themes include chemical sensation mechanisms, learning processes linking sensory cues to food, nutrient intake regulation, and plant-insect interactions.

• Research spans four levels: chemical sensation, learning, feeding regulation, and ecological impacts of plant compounds.
• Explores how pesticides and toxins affect pollinator behavior and physiology.
• Develops methods to deliver essential nutrients to invertebrates via engineered microorganisms.

Her work integrates neurophysiological, behavioral, and ecological approaches to address threats to pollinators, including pesticide exposure and nutritional stress. Recent studies highlight the role of sterols in bee health and the design of biopesticides safe for pollinators.

Publications emphasize the interplay between diet, neurobiology, and environmental challenges faced by insects. Her lab's findings inform strategies to mitigate declines in pollinator populations through targeted nutritional interventions and toxin mitigation.