Kelley Leung

Kelley Leung serves as a Research Associate at the Laboratory of Genetics, conducting specialized research at the intersection of genetics, entomology, and biological control. Her work primarily investigates polyploidy phenomena in insects, with a focus on parasitoid wasps like Nasonia vitripennis, and explores applications for sustainable pest management. She currently leads the PostDoc project 'Polyploidy in wasp evolution and bee conservation' (2024-2027), examining evolutionary implications of polyploidy for insect conservation and agricultural biocontrol systems.

Dr. Leung's research spans several critical domains in evolutionary genetics and applied entomology:

• Polyploid evolution mechanisms in Hymenoptera
• Genetic consequences of ploidy manipulation (diploidy/triploidy)
• Inbreeding and outbreeding depression in captive insect populations
• Artificial selection potential for biocontrol trait enhancement
• Host-parasitoid interaction dynamics in polyploid systems
• Genetic variation maintenance in biological control agents

Her recent publications (2024-2025) reveal a cohesive research trajectory centered on polyploidy applications in biological control. Key thematic trends include experimental validation of triploid utility in parasitoid wasps, systematic analysis of genetic variation parameters for trait evolvability, and innovative approaches to studying animal polyploid evolution through neopolyploid line creation. These works collectively advance the integration of evolutionary genetics principles with practical pest management solutions, demonstrating how ploidy manipulation can enhance biocontrol agent efficacy while addressing conservation challenges.

Scientific Awards:

• No scientific awards documented in available information

Dr. Leung serves as Project Leader for the active grant 'Polyploidy in wasp evolution and bee conservation' (2024-2027), collaborating with co-PIs B. Pannebakker and J. van den Heuvel. This research investigates evolutionary adaptations in polyploid wasps with implications for bee conservation strategies. No formal student advisees are documented in the provided materials, though her collaborative publications indicate mentorship within research teams. The project has generated significant academic engagement, with multiple publications receiving attention from scientific networks and social media platforms.

Her laboratory work centers on the Laboratory of Genetics, where she develops and analyzes neopolyploid insect lines using advanced genetic techniques. This research environment fosters collaboration with international experts including L.W. Beukeboom and B.J. Zwaan, focusing on experimental evolution approaches to study polyploid phenomena. Current team efforts prioritize establishing genetic protocols for ploidy manipulation in parasitoid wasps and assessing fitness consequences for biocontrol applications.