Current Research
Population biology of biological invasions
Much of my research focuses on understanding ecological processes operating during the arrival, establishment, and spread phases of biological invasions. In particular, I am interested in understanding these processes as the basis for more effective strategies to exclude invaders, prevent establishment (eradication) and contain the spread of invading forest pests. This work includes studies on the gypsy moth, Sirex woodwasp, beech bark disease, Japanese oak wilt disease, emerald ash borer and hemlock woolly adelgid.
Forest insect population dynamics
I am interested in understanding the processes that are responsible for the spatial and temporal patterns of forest insect outbreaks. Many insect species exhibit periodic population oscillations that occur synchronously over large areas but we have only a partial understanding of the population processes (interactions with predators, parasitoids, host plants and disease) that cause these patterns. Analyses of historical data and mathematical models are applied to explore these relationships. This work focuses on the gypsy moth, but includes several other forest insect species as well.