Lene Sigsgaard

Lene Sigsgaard is an Associate Professor in the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences at the University of Copenhagen's Faculty of Science, where she leads the Section for Organismal Biology. Her research focuses on developing sustainable agricultural systems through ecological understanding of pest regulation and biological control.

Education:

• PhD in Agricultural Entomology from Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University (KVL), 1992-1996
• MSc in Agricultural Sciences from KVL, focusing on insect-plant interactions, 1982-1989

Dr. Sigsgaard's research program examines ecological studies of predation across scales from individual to community levels, aiming to develop sustainable production systems that promote natural regulation of insect pests. Her work spans biological control strategies in outdoor food production, plant-herbivore-predator interactions, and integration of functional biodiversity with other management practices in temperate cropping systems. She has extensive expertise in biodiversity in and around cultivated lands as a source of functional biodiversity, and biological control integrated with other methods in Integrated Pest Management frameworks.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on applying ecological principles to practical agricultural challenges, particularly in organic apple orchards and strawberry production. Her research examines how floral resources, perennial flower strips, and biodiversity management can enhance pest control while supporting pollinator populations. Several studies investigate specific pest management solutions, including pheromone-based monitoring and biological control agents, with attention to non-target effects and climate change impacts.

Professional Leadership:

• Head of Section for Organismal Biology, University of Copenhagen (2013-2019)
• Vice-President of IOBC-WPRS (2009-2017)
• Member of the Pesticide Advisory Council of the Danish EPA (2006-2011)
• Coordinator of EU CORE Organic+/GUDP EcoOrchard project (2015-2018)

Dr. Sigsgaard has supervised 8 BSc, 19 MSc, and 13 PhD students throughout her career, and currently supervises 3 MSc and 3 PhD students as main supervisor with 2 additional PhD students as co-supervisor. She has headed 19 research projects and secured funding from the Danish Council for Independent Research, EU programs, and GUDP. Her research group develops sustainable pest management solutions that integrate ecological principles with practical farming needs, with particular focus on temperate cropping systems in Europe and applications in developing countries.