Steven M. Graham is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at St. John's University, within the St. John's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on the interplay between molecular structure and biological function. Ph.D. holder teaching advanced organic chemistry courses Research spans nucleotide conformational analysis, calcium signaling, and chemical synthesis Research Interests: Prof. Graham investigates how molecular structures determine functional properties, particularly in nucleosides, nucleotides, and cADPR. His work combines synthesis , NMR spectroscopy , and computational chemistry to study conformational dynamics and thermodynamic parameters. Publication Trends: Recent work emphasizes cADPR analogs , conformational analysis , and chemical biology applications . Earlier studies focused on insect pheromone metabolism and boron-containing nucleosides .
Mark Belmonte is a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Manitoba. His laboratory investigates cellular and molecular mechanisms of plant development and pathogenesis, with emphasis on developing sustainable technologies to protect major Canadian crops including canola. Research employs cutting-edge RNA interference (RNAi) technologies and molecular profiling techniques. Current projects focus on combating fungal pathogens like Sclerotinia sclerotiorum through RNAi-based fungicides and genetic modifications. The lab utilizes laser microdissection and transcriptomics to characterize plant-pathogen interactions at cellular resolution. Field applications of RNAi technologies are being developed for practical crop protection. Dr. Belmonte teaches plant biotechnology and mentors graduate students in molecular plant pathology. His research has been recognized with the CD Nelson Award from the Canadian Society of Plant Biologists. Laboratory members include doctoral candidate Catrione Lee and master's students working on RNAi delivery optimization.
Kenichi W. Okamoto is Assistant Professor of Biology and Data Analytics at University of St. Thomas's College of Arts and Sciences. His research integrates theoretical modeling and empirical data to investigate eco-evolutionary dynamics, with specific focus on evolutionary epidemiology and interspecific interference competition. Published works appear in journals including PLoS Computational Biology, Evolution, and Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. Dr. Okamoto teaches Foundations of Microbiology/Health and Evolution, incorporating laboratory components that develop practical skills in microbiological analysis and evolutionary theory. His pedagogical approach connects fundamental biological concepts with applications in health professions and advanced evolutionary studies.
Roles & Affiliations Associate Professor Karyn Johnson is affiliated with the School of the Environment at the University of Queensland. Her academic rank is Associate Professor, focusing on invertebrate virology and host-pathogen interactions. Education While formal education details are not explicitly provided, her extensive publication history and academic rank suggest a PhD in Virology or Molecular Biology, likely from a top-tier institution. Research Interests Dr. Johnson’s work centers on understanding virus-insect interactions, particularly the role of Wolbachia bacteria in mediating antiviral protection. Her research employs Drosophila as a model to study host immune responses, viral pathogenesis, and symbiont-mediated immunity. Key themes include: Wolbachia’s role in blocking viral infections RNA silencing mechanisms in insects Evolutionary arms race between viruses and hosts Developmental resistance to viral infections Research Trends Recent publications highlight advancements in Wolbachia’s antiviral mechanisms, including cell-autonomous protection and temperature preference changes in infected insects. Studies also explore viral barriers in larval midguts and miRNA regulation of viral replication. Collaborations span virology, microbiology, and evolutionary biology. Grants & Advising No explicit grant details are provided, but her prolific publications suggest sustained research funding. Mentoring records are unspecified, though her collaborative work implies supervision of graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. Labs & Teams She leads a research group focused on insect virology and symbiont interactions. Collaborations include institutions like the University of Queensland’s School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences and international partners in microbiology and entomology.
Prof. Leo W Beukeboom is a Professor of Evolutionary Genetics at the University of Groningen’s Faculty of Science and Engineering, within the Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences. His research focuses on the genetics and evolution of insect reproductive modes, sex determination, and ecological genomics, using parasitoid wasps (e.g., Nasonia, Asobara) and flies (Musca, Drosophila) as primary study organisms. He is Editor-in-Chief of Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata and Director of the Erasmus Mundus Master Programme in Evolutionary Biology (MEME). Additional roles include advising companies like Amusca Breeding B.V. and Tryptomera B.V. Key research interests include mechanisms of sexual/parthenogenetic reproduction, photoperiodism, insect pest control, and applications in sustainable agriculture. Current projects involve mass rearing insects for feed (INSECTFEED), circadian rhythms in Nasonia (CINCHRON), and polyploid evolution. He supervises multiple PhD projects and collaborates internationally on topics like sex determination genetics and biological control strategies. Recent publications highlight breakthroughs in understanding sex determination genes (e.g., transformer paralogs in wasps) and housefly genetics. His work bridges fundamental research with applied challenges in sustainable insect production and pest management.
Spence Behmer is a Professor in the Department of Entomology at Texas A&M University and Founding Chair of the Ecology & Evolutionary Biology PhD program. His research focuses on insect nutritional physiology, ecology, and plant-herbivore interactions, with emphasis on species like ants, aphids, grasshoppers, and honey bees. He has secured over $15M in federal funding and published 85 peer-reviewed articles, cited over 5,400 times. Behmer co-edits the Journal of Insect Physiology and serves on editorial boards for Current Opinion in Insect Science , Insect Science , and others. He has led national and international conferences, including the Gordon Research Conference on Plant-Herbivore Interactions. Education: B.S. Biology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln M.S. Biology/Ecology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Ph.D. Entomology, University of Arizona Research Interests: Behmer’s work integrates in vitro and field studies to explore how insects regulate nutrient intake, adapt to dietary limitations, and interact with host plants. Key themes include sterol nutrition, Bt toxin susceptibility, and the ecological consequences of herbivore nutritional strategies. His lab develops novel pest management techniques leveraging nutritional and molecular insights. Recent Article Trends: Behmer’s recent publications emphasize RNAi-mediated pest control, plant-insect sterol dynamics, and nutritional regulation in social insects. Key innovations include using cricket powder in ant diets and exploring leaf-mining fly evolution to understand herbivory adaptations. Grants & Funding: Over $15M secured through USDA and NSF programs for projects on nutritional physiology, Bt toxin efficacy, and plant defense mechanisms. Current work includes sterol-modified crops and nano-pesticide interactions. Labs/Teams: Leads Texas A&M’s Entomology Nutrition Lab, collaborating with ecologists, geneticists, and agricultural engineers to bridge lab and field studies. Initiatives include the Schistocerca gregaria genome project and Bt toxin-nutrition interaction studies.
Zachary Bragg is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Georgia affiliated with the Villari Forest Pathology Lab . His research focuses on forest biology, genetics, biotechnology, molecular biology, and plant health protection. He holds a Ph.D. in Entomology from the University of Kentucky (2024) and a B.S. in Environmental & Field Biology from Ohio Northern University (2019). His work emphasizes RNA interference (RNAi) applications in trees, such as developing pest-specific gene silencing strategies for loblolly pine and white oak. Recent studies include dsRNA delivery mechanisms and transcriptome analysis in response to insect-specific RNA treatments. He collaborates with The Southern Pine Health Research Cooperative and contributes to advancing molecular tools for forest health management. No formal advisees are listed, and no scientific awards are noted.
Georg Jander is the George L. McNew Distinguished Scientist at the Boyce Thompson Institute (BTI) and serves as an Adjunct Professor in the Section of Plant Biology within Cornell University's School of Integrative Plant Science. His research spans multiple graduate fields including Plant Biology, Entomology, and Plant Breeding. Dr. Jander's research focuses on the genetic and biochemical mechanisms mediating plant interactions with insect herbivores. His laboratory investigates natural variation in insect resistance, novel defense-related plant metabolites, and the genes and enzymes involved in their biosynthesis. Current research projects include maize-insect interactions (particularly with corn leaf aphids), Arabidopsis-aphid interactions, and the biosynthesis of cardiac glycosides in wallflowers and milkweeds. His work has significant implications for agricultural pest management and understanding plant defense evolution. Analysis of Dr. Jander's recent publications reveals a strong focus on plant chemical defenses, particularly specialized metabolites like benzoxazinoids in maize and cardiac glycosides in wallflowers and milkweeds. His research increasingly incorporates advanced genomic and metabolomic approaches, with growing emphasis on the co-evolution of plant defenses and insect counter-adaptations. Recent work shows particular interest in RNA interference techniques for pest control and the ecological functions of plant secondary metabolites. AAAS Fellow (2012) $1 million NSF EDGE award (2017) to develop genomic tools for studying milkweed DARPA Insect Allies Award for the VIPER project (Viruses and Insects as Plant Enhancement Resources) Dr. Jander has successfully secured substantial research funding including NSF and DARPA grants. His laboratory actively mentors undergraduate and graduate students through BTI's Plant Genome Research Program and other internship opportunities. The Jander lab maintains strong collaborative relationships with researchers worldwide, including Tobias Züst at the University of Bern for cardiac glycoside research. His work bridges fundamental plant science with practical agricultural applications, particularly in developing novel pest resistance strategies. The Jander lab operates within the Boyce Thompson Institute, a premier plant science research center affiliated with Cornell University. His team includes postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, and technicians working across multiple projects focused on plant-insect interactions. The laboratory utilizes advanced techniques including genetic mapping, mass spectrometry-based metabolite profiling, virus-induced gene silencing, and in vitro enzyme assays to investigate plant defense mechanisms.
Professor Yueh-Lung Wu is a leading academic at the Department of Entomology, National Taiwan University. His research focuses on Insect Pathology, Insect Biotechnology, and RNA Interference (RNAi). He heads the Insect Pathology Laboratory, where his team investigates innovative pest control methods and bee health protection strategies. Ph.D. in Biotechnology, National Cheng Kung University (2008) M.S. in Life Science, National Central University (2001) B.S. in Forestry and Nature Conservation, Chinese Culture University (1999) His work explores miRNA applications in pest control, demonstrating how miRNAs can regulate viral infection cycles and enhance pest susceptibility to RNAi-based interventions. Additionally, his lab investigates histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) to protect honeybees from pathogen-induced immune and neurological damage, showing that HDACi treatment increases gene expression related to immunity and memory, potentially benefiting the beekeeping industry. Recent publications highlight his expertise in RNAi efficiency for pest management, baculovirus engineering, and honeybee health. Collaborative studies with institutions like the University of Georgia and Academia Sinica underscore his interdisciplinary approach. Grants such as NSTC 111-2313-b-002-038-my3 and NSTC 110-2313-b-002-005 support his research. Professor Wu's lab, the Insect Pathology Laboratory, specializes in molecular mechanisms of host-parasite interactions, viral gene function, and epigenetic regulation in insect systems. His contributions extend to editorial roles in journals like Communications Biology and Scientific Reports .
Dr. Mat Cook serves as Research Director leading the Livestock & Aquaculture Program at CSIRO's Agriculture and Food Business Unit. His work focuses on enhancing livestock and aquaculture sustainability through research on breeding, health, and disease management. He holds a PhD and Bachelor of Environmental Toxicology (Honours) from the University of South Australia. Research interests include fish pests and diseases, aquaculture innovation, and veterinary immunology. His studies explore solutions to challenges like amoebic gill disease in salmon and reproductive biology in abalone. Over 20 years of publications highlight advancements in disease prevention, molecular diagnostics, and sustainable aquaculture practices. Key contributions include vaccine development against Neoparamoeba perurans and genomic analysis of abalone reproduction. His work bridges applied research with industry applications, aiming to improve aquaculture productivity and environmental sustainability.
Zachary Huang is an Associate Professor in the Department of Entomology at Michigan State University (MSU), part of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. His work focuses on honey bee behavior and physiology, with a strong emphasis on addressing challenges like parasitic mites (Varroa destructor), pathogens (Nosema), pesticide impacts, and environmental stressors. He holds a PhD from the University of Guelph (1988) and a BS from Hunan Agricultural University (1982). Research Interests: Huang’s lab explores how parasites, pathogens, and environmental factors stress honey bees. Key contributions include the social inhibition model explaining nurse-to-forager transitions, the non-chemical Varroa control tool 'mitzapper,' and the extension-focused website Cyberbee.net . His work on Varroa mite host preferences and Nosema infection dynamics has advanced colony management practices. He also investigates immune priming strategies to protect bees against pathogens. Professional Experience: Huang has been at MSU since 2004, progressing from Assistant Professor (1998–2004) to his current role. Earlier, he held postdoctoral positions at UIUC and the University of Missouri-Columbia. His extension program bridges research and beekeeper needs, providing updates on varroa biology, pesticide effects, and transportation impacts. Awards: In 2008, he received the J.I. Hambleton Award for Outstanding Research from the Eastern Apicultural Society, joining luminaries like Gene Robinson and Thomas Seeley. Labs & Collaborations: The Huang Laboratory studies honey bee health and behavior. Notable collaborations include work on microRNA regulation of foraging behavior and epigenetic changes in olfactory learning. He also contributes to initiatives like the 2024 American Bee Research Conference proceedings.
Emilyn Matsumura is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Virology (VIR), specializing in virology, plant-microbe interactions, and biotechnological applications. Her research focuses on viral evolution, RNA silencing mechanisms, and biocontrol strategies targeting plant pathogens and aphids. She collaborates internationally on projects such as the 'Plug & Play' initiative combining virus-derived vectors with microalgae platforms. Co-promoting three active PhD projects, she mentors students in areas like chloroplast-based virus resistance and phloem-based aphid control. Key research interests include viral transmission dynamics, trans-kingdom RNA communication, and sustainable bioproduct development. Recent work highlights include the plant virus transmissions database and studies on Flock House Virus as a biocontrol tool. She has presented on topics like gene expression changes in Bemisia tabaci induced by virus-derived small RNAs.
Sampurna Sattar is an Assistant Teaching Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Pennsylvania State University. Her research focuses on plant-insect interactions, specifically aphid biology and resistance mechanisms. She investigates molecular responses in plants and aphids using transcriptomics, miRNA regulation, and insecticidal proteins. Her work contributes to understanding aphid adaptation, plant defense mechanisms, and sustainable pest management strategies. Sattar is affiliated with Althouse Laboratory and has published extensively on topics such as aphid transcriptome analysis, nicotinamide's effects on aphids, and small RNA roles in plant defense. Her research interests span aphid physiology, chemical ecology, and molecular genetics. Key themes include identifying plant compounds conferring resistance (e.g., 3-deoxyanthocyanidin flavonoids), analyzing transcriptomic changes during host interactions, and characterizing novel insecticidal proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis. She also explores miRNA-mediated pathways regulating plant defense responses against aphid herbivory. Notable contributions include studies on Vat-mediated resistance mechanisms in melon plants, which involve miRNA repression of auxin signaling pathways. Her work bridges fundamental molecular biology with applied agricultural challenges, emphasizing sustainable pest control solutions. No scientific awards or grants are explicitly listed in the provided information. She advises no students in the available data but contributes to teaching and research in biochemistry and molecular biology.
Yaoyu Jiao is a Research Fellow in the Department of Genetics at Yale University's School of Medicine. Their research focuses on developmental biology, genetics, and molecular mechanisms in insects, particularly exploring epigenetic regulation, RNA modifications, and gene expression during metamorphosis. Key areas include histone methylation, mitochondrial dysfunction in Tribolium development, and CRISPR-Cas9 applications in mosquitoes like Aedes aegypti. Research Interests : Dr. Jiao's work investigates insect development through studies on epigenetic factors, RNA biology, and genetic engineering. Notable topics include the role of BR-C and E93 genes in metamorphosis, the creation of mosquito cell atlases, and the molecular basis of pest resistance mechanisms. Publications : Recent work highlights contributions to understanding insect epigenetics, RNA interference (RNAi) mechanisms, and applied research in pest control. Key studies include analyses of m6A RNA methylation in Tribolium and the mode of action of Methoprene in mosquitoes. Awards : No scientific awards explicitly mentioned in the provided information. Labs & Collaborations : Associated with the Yale School of Medicine's Genetics Department, collaborating on projects related to insect development, molecular genetics, and biotechnological applications.
Professor Leo Beukeboom is a faculty member in the Faculty of Science and Engineering at the University of Groningen, leading the Beukeboom lab focused on Evolutionary Genetics. His expertise spans evolutionary genetics, entomology, and insect reproductive biology. He serves as Editor-in-Chief of Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata and Director of the Erasmus Mundus Master Programme in Evolutionary Biology (MEME). He advises companies Amusca Breeding B.V. and Tryptomera B.V. His research investigates mechanisms of insect reproduction, sex determination, and photoperiodism in parasitoid wasps (Nasonia, Asobara) and flies (Musca, Drosophila). Recent projects include INSECTFEED (insect-based sustainable feed), CINCHRON (circadian rhythm studies in Nasonia), and eco-evo-devo theories of eusociality. Research interests emphasize genetic and evolutionary processes in insect reproduction, including parthenogenesis, haplodiploidy, and applications in pest control and sustainable agriculture. He has supervised 29 students, with notable advisees including Kreider, Vogel, and van der Bruggen. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to sustainable food systems and biodiversity conservation. Key collaborations span circadian biology, evolutionary traps, and insect genetic analysis. Datasets include circadian clock gene expression in Nasonia and genetic analysis of parasitoid host preferences. Media engagements highlight his work on sex determination, insect farming, and evolutionary biology education.
