Find Academic Supervisors

Craig A AbelView profile

Adjunct Professor

• Entomology
• Agricultural Genomics
• Crop Genetics
• +3 more

Dr. Craig A. Abel is an Adjunct Professor of Entomology at Iowa State University and a Supervisory Research Entomologist with the USDA-ARS Corn Insects and Crop Genetics Research Unit. He oversees research on maize, soybean, barley, and legume crops, focusing on ecological pest management, comparative genomics, and disease resistance signaling. Education Ph.D., Entomology, Iowa State University, 1998 M.S., Entomology, Iowa State University, 1993 B.S., Animal Science, Iowa State University, 1987 His research explores host plant resistance in maize to pests like European corn borer and western bean cutworm, Bt-corn risk assessment , and interactions between mycotoxigenic fungi and pests. Recent work includes using machine learning for pest classification, evaluating transgenic maize resistance, and refining agricultural action thresholds through field studies. Dr. Abel's 116 publications span insect resistance mechanisms , genetic mapping , and mycotoxin contamination in crops. He supervises a USDA-ARS team focused on sustainable crop production and contributes to databases like MaizeGDB and SoyBase.

Amit LevyView profile

Associate Professor

• Pathogen-Host Interactions
• Plant Pathology
• Virology
• +4 more

Dr. Amit Levy is an Associate Professor in Plant Pathology at the University of Florida's Citrus Research and Education Center. His research focuses on the molecular biology of pathogen-host interactions, particularly examining Citrus Tristeza Virus (CTV) and Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus , the causative agent of Huanglongbing (citrus greening). Key areas of investigation include the systemic movement of phloem-restricted pathogens, insect vector transmission, and callose deposition as a defense mechanism. Research Themes: Pathogen-Host Interactions, Phloem-Limited Pathogens, Insect-Transmitted Diseases Techniques Used: Gene Editing, Transcriptomics, Immuno-Ultrastructural Localization Collaborations: Diann Achor (Lab Specialist), Ozgur Batuman (Plant Pathologist), Tripti Vashisth (Citrus Physiology) Students: Jorge Santiago Vazquez (Masters Student) Dr. Levy's recent publications highlight molecular mechanisms of CTV stem-pitting, Liberibacter immune evasion strategies, and canopy density as a predictor of citrus yield. His work explores novel disease control approaches through CRISPR-Cas9-mediated gene editing and transcriptomic profiling of infected tissues. Collaborative studies emphasize the interplay between phloem/xylem responses in HLB-tolerant cultivars and the role of synaptotagmin proteins in plant virus movement. Key trends in his research include: 2024: Development of multiplexed gene editing tools for citrus 2023: Transcriptomic analysis of defense trade-offs in HLB-affected trees 2022: Characterization of Liberibacter gut colonization and phloem occlusion 2021: Stress-inducible promoters for transgenic flowering

Hong ZhangView profile

Professor

• Plant Molecular Biology
• Plant Biotechnology
• Abiotic Stress Tolerance
• +12 more

Hong Zhang is a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Texas Tech University, where he leads research in plant molecular biology and biotechnology. He is affiliated with the Cell & Molecular Biology, Genetics & Genomics, and Plant Biology research groups. Postdoc Research, Harvard Medical School, USA (1989–1994) Ph.D., Genetics, Michigan State University, USA (1983–1989) B.S., Microbiology, Sichuan University, China (1978–1982) His research focuses on enhancing crop resilience and yield through genetic engineering, particularly in cotton. Key areas include improving drought, heat, and salt tolerance in transgenic crops, studying the role of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) in stress response, and investigating the molecular mechanisms of protein targeting to peroxisomal membranes via the chaperone AKR2A. His work has led to significant breakthroughs, such as doubling cotton fiber yields under semi-arid conditions by co-overexpressing stress-tolerant genes like AVP1 and OsSIZ1. The recent publications highlight a strong trend in engineering abiotic stress tolerance in crops, particularly through gene co-overexpression strategies. His team frequently targets pathways involving vacuolar ion transport, photosynthetic efficiency under heat, and lipid metabolism for fiber development. These studies span model organisms like Arabidopsis and major crops like cotton and peanut. Dr. Zhang has mentored numerous students and researchers, contributing to a robust body of work in plant biotechnology. His research has been featured in media for its potential to revolutionize agriculture in water-scarce regions, especially given the depletion of aquifers like the Ogallala. Co-overexpression of AVP1 and OsSIZ1 enhances drought, salt, and heat tolerance Developed transgenic cotton with up to 133% increased fiber yield under dryland conditions Research contributes to sustainable agriculture and water conservation He leads an active research laboratory focused on genetic improvements in crops. His lab investigates multiple gene combinations to develop hardier plant varieties, with future plans to extend findings to corn and sorghum.

Luke AlpheyView profile

Professor

• Genetic Pest Management
• Vector-Borne Diseases
• Gene Drives
• +3 more

Professor Luke Alphey holds the Chair in Genetics at the University of York, focusing on innovative approaches to combat vector-borne diseases. His research bridges synthetic biology, molecular genetics, and public health, with a primary emphasis on mosquito-borne illnesses such as malaria, dengue, and Zika virus. Develops genetic pest management strategies for disease control Co-founder of Oxitec Ltd, pioneering sterile male mosquito technology Explores localized gene drives for sustainable pest population modification The Alphey Lab integrates multidisciplinary methods including molecular biology, ecology, and mathematical modeling. Collaborations with specialized research groups enhance their work on transgenic mosquitoes and virus-resistant insect strains. The lab actively welcomes self-funded PhD candidates and has trained numerous international students and researchers.

• Insect Sensory Neuroscience
• Genetic Tool Development
• Mosquito Biology
• +6 more

Dr. Lena Riabinina is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biosciences at Durham University and a Fellow of the Wolfson Research Institute for Health and Wellbeing. She leads the InsectNeuroLab, focusing on genetic tool development, sensory neuroscience, and sensory ecology in insects such as Drosophila, mosquitoes, bumblebees, and black soldier flies. Her research bridges molecular biology, neuroethology, and ecological applications. Dr. Riabinina holds a PhD from the University of Sussex (2009) and has held postdoctoral positions at UCL, Johns Hopkins University, Imperial College London, and the University of Manchester. Her work includes advancing genetic tools for non-model insects, studying olfactory systems, and exploring insect behavior in ecological contexts. Her research interests emphasize: Genetic tool development for mosquitoes and other insects Neuroethology of olfaction and sensory processing Insect behavior and ecology, with applications to disease control and pollinator conservation Recent work includes studies on Culex mosquito feeding patterns, bumblebee neuroecology, and zinc sensing mechanisms in insects. She supervises multiple PhD and MSc students and collaborates internationally on projects ranging from malaria vector biology to AI-driven insect behavior analysis. Her lab actively seeks to apply genetic innovations to address ecological and biomedical challenges, such as improving mosquito control strategies and understanding pollinator decline mechanisms.

Sebastian KittelmannView profile

Research Fellow

• Transcriptional Regulation
• Developmental Biology
• Evolutionary Genetics
• +3 more

Sebastian Kittelmann is a Research Fellow at the School of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University. His work focuses on transcriptional regulation, developmental biology, and evolutionary genetics using Drosophila and Tribolium as model systems. Methodologies include next-generation sequencing, molecular biology, and genetic analysis. Research Interests Transcription factor dynamics in tissue-specific gene regulation Evolution of gene regulatory networks Developmental constraints in morphological evolution MicroRNA-mediated developmental modulation Comparative genomics of insect model organisms Projects Evolving New Neural Circuits: Insect Lineages As Evolvable Modules (2022-2026, Leverhulme Trust) TFTag: A novel library of tagged transcription factors in Drosophila (2022-2027, BBSRC, £1,144,262 funding) Teaching Modules: Medical Genetics and Genomics (MSc, PGDip, PGCert), Interrogating Genomes (BIOL5002), Molecular Biology (BIOL5014), Data Carpentry (BIOL5017), Project (BIOS6010), The Practising Scientist (BIOL4004), Genome Science (BIOS7002)

• Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
• Chemical Ecology
• Molecular Biology
• +11 more

Alberto Maria Cattaneo is a Researcher (RTD-A) at the Agriculture, Food, and Environment Center (C3A) of the University of Trento, Italy. His work focuses on molecular ecology and chemical sensing in agricultural pests, particularly Drosophila suzukii and Cydia pomonella . Research Interests Integrated Pest Management (IPM) using semiochemicals Molecular characterization of insect chemosensory receptors Evolutionary conservation of chemosensory mechanisms Development of in vitro methods for receptor functional analysis Scientific Contributions Deorphanized IR receptors in key agricultural pests Developed transgenic Drosophila models for receptor studies Recipient of European Seal of Excellence for HIR-ED project Led multi-organism chemoreceptor investigations (insects, crustaceans) Teaching & Mentoring Serves as external lecturer at University of Padova, teaching Biotechnology for plant protection and Research planning to Master's students. Has supervised 12+ students across bachelor's to postdoctoral levels.

• Plant-Insect Interactions
• Plant Chemical Defense Mechanisms
• Chemical Ecology
• +6 more

Georg Jander is an Adjunct Professor in the Section of Plant Biology at Cornell University's School of Integrative Plant Science , while serving as a lead scientist at the Boyce Thompson Institute (BTI). His research focuses on plant-insect interactions , chemical defense mechanisms , and genetic basis of herbivore resistance in economically important species like maize, Arabidopsis, and milkweeds. Affiliation: Cornell University, Boyce Thompson Institute (BTI) Key Research Areas: Plant defense metabolites, RNA interference for pest control, cardiac glycoside biosynthesis Research Highlights: The Jander lab combines genetic mapping , mass spectrometry , and enzyme assays to discover novel plant defense compounds and their biosynthetic pathways. They investigate how insects suppress plant defenses and develop CRISPR-based agricultural innovations for pest control, including the DARPA-funded VIPER project using insects as plant enhancement vectors. Scientific Impact: Recognized as an AAAS Fellow (2012), his work appears in top journals like Current Biology and Plant Cell. His team has received multiple grants including an NSF EDGE award for milkweed genomic tools and a $25M NSF CROPPS center for programmable plant systems. Lab Members: Kevin Ahern, Azam Noori, Alison Norton, and numerous interns Grants: NSF EDGE, DARPA Insect Allies, Schmittau-Novak Grants Program Infrastructure: Equipped with advanced high-resolution mass spectrometers , his lab investigates plant metabolomics and insect counter-adaptations. Their research on cardiac glycoside pathways in wallflowers and milkweeds has potential applications in both agriculture and pharmaceutical development.

Sheemal KumarView profile

Research Fellow

• Synthetic Biology
• Bioremediation
• Insect Biotechnology
• +3 more

Sheemal Kumar is a Research Fellow in the Department of Applied BioSciences at Macquarie University. His work focuses on synthetic biology applications in insects for disease vector control and environmental bioremediation. He has active collaborations with researchers including Macquarie Maselko, Ponton, and Tepper. Current Role: Postdoctoral Fellow Main Projects: Transgenic insect development, SSIMS population control, pollutant bioremediation Research interests center on engineering Aedes aegypti mosquitoes for population suppression to combat viral disease outbreaks. His work extends to black soldier fly biotechnology and fungal enzyme expression in insects for industrial applications. Key trends include synthetic biology and insect-microbe interactions . Scientific awards include the 2014 ACFRT Postgraduate Studentship Award . Contributions to research outputs include: 10 peer-reviewed articles 2 review articles 1 preprint Recent publications highlight transgenic insect screening , microbial phytase biomanufacturing , and laccase-mediated bioremediation . Collaborations span environmental biotechnology, cystic fibrosis pathogen studies, and mosquito control systems.

Kelly HambyView profile

Associate Professor

• Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
• Insect-Microorganism Interactions
• Sustainable Agriculture
• +3 more

Dr. Kelly Hamby is an Associate Professor in the Department of Entomology at the University of Maryland's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Her research focuses on improving agricultural sustainability through Integrated Pest Management (IPM), with emphasis on insect-fungal interactions, invasive pest management, and optimizing control strategies for Drosophila suzukii (Spotted Wing Drosophila) and corn earworm in small fruit, sweet corn, and grain crops. Dr. Hamby's lab investigates insecticide resistance mechanisms, cultural control tactics (e.g., pruning, mulching), and microbial-based management approaches. Her work integrates field research with ecological modeling to inform science-based pest control paradigms that protect both crop yields and environmental health. Recent publications highlight her leadership in SWD monitoring systems, Bt crop resistance dynamics, and fungal-microbial interactions affecting pest behavior. The Hamby Lab prioritizes mentorship, offering graduate students opportunities for peer-reviewed publications, grant writing, and professional development. Lab alumni include Dr. Maria Cramer (recipient of ESA's John Henry Comstock Award) and Dr. Margaret Lewis (NSF Postdoctoral Fellow). Notable achievements include: 2025: Co-authored IPM infrastructure status report across U.S. 2021: Published genomic response to Bt crops in PNAS 2019: Honoree, University of Maryland Research Excellence Celebration

Philip LeftwichView profile

Associate Professor

• Genetic Pest Management
• CRISPR/Cas9 Gene Editing
• Gene Drives
• +3 more

Philip Leftwich is an Associate Professor in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of East Anglia. He holds roles such as UKRN - UEA Academic Lead and is a member of Research and Innovation Services and Biosciences Teaching and Education Research. His research focuses on genetic technologies for pest control, including CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing and gene drives in mosquitoes and fruit flies. He also explores the role of gut microbes in fruit fly health and reproduction. Leftwich teaches modules like Genetics, Data Science for Biologists, and Genomics. He has received recognition, including a nomination for the Most Inspiring and Creative Teaching Award (2022). His administrative duties include roles in animal welfare, exam boards, and teaching committees. Leftwich has collaborated on projects funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and contributed to over 39 research outputs, including datasets on microbiomes and larval diets. Education: PhD (UEA), BSc (Durham University) Grants/Projects: Led the 2012–2015 project on pest insect control funded by BBSRC. Research Interests: Genetic pest management (GPM), CRISPR/Cas9, gene drives, microbiome-host interactions, and sustainable agricultural pest control. His work aligns with UN SDGs related to environmental sustainability and health. Publications: Recent articles focus on gene drive optimization, synthetic biology applications in insects, and CRISPR-based tools for disease vectors. His work bridges molecular biology, ecology, and applied pest control. Teaching & Mentorship: Organizes and teaches multiple biological sciences modules, emphasizing data science and computational skills. Advises students on research projects and genomics. Other Activities: Consultant for Benchling R&D (2020–2021), panel member for educational partnerships, and contributor to open-source bioinformatics tools.

Jeff WhitworthView profile

Associate Professor

• Integrated Pest Management
• Row Crops
• Household Pests
• +3 more

Jeff Whitworth is an Associate Professor in the Department of Entomology at Kansas State University. His research specializes in integrated pest management (IPM) for row crops and structural pests, with extensive work in developing practical solutions for agricultural and household insect control. He earned his Ph.D. in Entomology from Kansas State University in 1980. Research Focus Dr. Whitworth's work spans: Field crop protection (corn, soybean, wheat, sorghum) Structural pest management (termites, pillbugs) Stored product insect control Development of extension materials for farmers and pest control professionals Publications Overview His recent publications (2004-2011) demonstrate a strong focus on applied entomology, emphasizing pest management protocols, insecticide efficacy, trap design improvements, and regional pest population analyses. Work consistently integrates field research with practical extension resources. Awards and Honors No awards are documented in the available text. Academic Service Active in producing cooperative extension bulletins covering multiple crops. Collaborates extensively with agricultural experiment stations and extension services across Kansas.

Emily WebbView profile

Clinical Professor

• Abdominal Imaging
• CT Evaluation of Bowel Pathology
• Appendicitis Diagnostics
• +3 more

Emily Webb, MD, is a Clinical Professor of Radiology and Director of Medical Student Education at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), where she also co-leads the Goldberg Center for Advanced Imaging Education. She specializes in abdominal imaging, particularly CT evaluation of bowel pathology and appendicitis. Her research focuses on improving diagnostic accuracy and clinical applications of CT/MRI in gastrointestinal diseases, including cystic fibrosis and oncologic imaging. Dr. Webb holds an MD from New York Medical College and completed her residency at Yale and fellowship at UCSF. She has authored over 30 publications, emphasizing CT diagnostics and medical education. Awards include the UCSF Medical Student Teaching Award (2017) and Minagi Chair Award (2012). Her educational contributions span curriculum design, radiology clerkships, and diversity initiatives, aiming to enhance interprofessional collaboration and equity in academic medicine.

Michael FurlongView profile

Professor

• Biological Control
• Integrated Pest Management
• Insect Ecology
• +3 more

Professor Michael Furlong is a faculty member in the School of the Environment at The University of Queensland, specializing in biological control and integrated pest management. His research focuses on ecological interactions between insects and their natural enemies, with an emphasis on sustainable pest management strategies in developing countries. Key research areas include the biological control of diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) and cabbage cluster caterpillar (Crocidolomia pavonana), as well as the development of insecticide resistance management plans in collaboration with UN-FAO. His work spans ecological and molecular approaches, including studies on fungal entomopathogens, predator-prey dynamics, and climate change impacts on host-parasitoid interactions. Externally funded projects include investigations into pest management in Indonesia, Samoa, and Fiji, addressing both agricultural and ecological challenges. Professor Furlong has authored over 150 peer-reviewed articles, with recent work focusing on viral communities in pest insects, spatial dynamics of organic crop pests, and the integration of molecular tools to assess biological control efficacy. His contributions to plant health clinics in the Pacific region highlight a commitment to applied research and community engagement, ensuring practical solutions for smallholder farmers. Despite no explicitly listed awards, his extensive publication record and collaborative projects reflect significant recognition in his field. Current research emphasizes leveraging natural enemies and landscape management to enhance pest control while minimizing chemical inputs.

• Nanotechnology in Agriculture
• Biotechnology
• Plant Biology
• +3 more

Dr. Samanta Bolzan De Campos is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), affiliated with the School of Biology & Environmental Science within the Faculty of Science. Her work focuses on nanotechnology applications in agriculture and plant biotechnology. She holds a PhD and contributes to the Centre for Agriculture and the Bioeconomy. Key research areas include developing silica-based nanoparticles for pest control and advancing multi-omic studies in plant systems like Nicotiana benthamiana. Education: PhD (Other). Research interests span nanomaterial synthesis for agricultural use, sustainable pest management strategies, and genomic resources for biotechnological applications. Her recent work highlights pH-responsive nanoparticles for biopesticide delivery and the creation of comprehensive multi-omic datasets for plant research. Her contributions emphasize interdisciplinary approaches at the intersection of materials science and agriculture, with publications in Industrial Crops and Products , International Journal of Biological Macromolecules , and Nature Plants . Labs/Teams: Active member of QUT's Centre for Agriculture and the Bioeconomy, focusing on innovative agricultural solutions.