معرفی
Lisa Tewksbury serves as Research Associate and Adjunct Professor in the Department of Entomology/IPM at the University of Rhode Island, where she has specialized in integrated pest management and biological control for 37 years. She co-directs Rhode Island's IPM program with Heather Faubert, working directly with growers to implement sustainable pest management practices.
Her research focuses on biological control of invasive species through the URI Biocontrol Lab, which specializes in developing and implementing biocontrol strategies against invasive insects and weeds. Key research areas include:
- Biological control of invasive swallow-worts
- Emerald ash borer management
- Spotted lanternfly control
- Japanese knotweed biocontrol
- Host specificity testing for biocontrol agents
Analysis of her recent publications (2017-2021) reveals consistent focus on ecological interactions between invasive species and biocontrol agents, particularly examining host specificity, non-target effects, and field efficacy of biological control programs targeting plants like Phragmites australis and insects including lily leaf beetles and spotted lanternflies.
As co-director of the URI Biocontrol Lab, she oversees a specialized quarantine facility designed to prevent insect escape during research. The facility features double-door entry systems, blacklight traps, dedicated rearing rooms, and strict operating procedures documented in the Quarantine Facility's Standard Operating Procedures Manual 2020.
