معرفی
James Bell is a Professor of Entomology at the School of Life Sciences, Keele University. He serves as a Research Entomologist with focus on hemipteran vectors of plant diseases, particularly Myzus persicae and Pentastiridius leporinus, which threaten sugar beet and potato crops through combined bacterial and viral infections. His work addresses critical knowledge gaps in insect vector movement and landscape structuring to mitigate disease epidemics through the UKRI-funded 'E-Prep' project.
As a quantitative ecologist, Bell's research spans agricultural pest management, ecosystem services, and climate change impacts on insect populations. He leads the NERC 'DRUID' project on UK insect declines and collaborates with institutions like Rothamsted Research, BBRO, and RSPB. Recent grants include BBSRC, BBRO, and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation funding for sustainable crop protection strategies.
Scientific awards include:
- 2024 Royal Entomological Society Keynote
- 2024 Visiting Scientist at Rothamsted Research
- 2023 Parliamentary testimony on insect declines
- 2022 Royal Society NERC Strategic Delivery Plan showcase
His 15 most recent publications (2021-2024) examine aphid flight mechanics, DNA metabarcoding applications, spider biocontrol potential, and climate-driven insect population shifts. Articles address topics ranging from agricultural pest forecasting to conservation strategies for declining moth species.
Bell serves as Associate Editor for Insect Conservation & Diversity and trains students in ecological monitoring through 11 PhD supervisions. His work informs policy decisions, including Defra's neonicotinoid derogation for sugar beet, and integrates multi-trophic interactions to address sustainable agriculture and biodiversity conservation.
