Research Interests / Job description
The research in my lab focuses on whiteflies (specifically the sweetpotato whitefly Bemisia tabaci) and B. tabaci-transmitted viruses on the biological and molecular levels. We also study other pathogen-vector systems and insect pest resistance to pesticides (whiteflies, thrips, aphids, psyllids and others). Bacterial symbionts of B. tabaci and other insects are in the center of our interests as they have fundamental roles in pathogen transmission and in many aspects of the biology of whiteflies and other insects, and can serve as excellent platform for developing novel methods for future whitefly and virus disease control.