Research
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My current/previous research projects involve:
Plant-aphid-rhizobacteria interactions (Plant defence, plant volatiles, biodiversity)
The effect of plant diversity on the community of protective symbionts in aphids
Metacommunity genetics of insects on tansy (Tanacetum vulgare)
Population genetics of the black tinder beetle (Bolitophagus reticulatus)
Biological control of aphids on okra in Cameroon, West Africa
Rainforest tree genetic variation influences associated epiphytic plant and invertebrate communities
PhD students:
Andrea Ceribelli (University of Liverpool, 2023-2027) - Aphid endosymbionts
Edward Cairns (University of Liverpool, 2022-2026) - Soil microbiome interactions, pest suppression
Megan Parker (University of Liverpool, 2020-2024) - Rhizobacteria-plant-aphid-natural enemy interactions, plant volatiles
Oriana Sanchez (TU Munich, 2019-2023) - Plant-aphid-rhizobacteria interactions, plant defence
*Marciana Galambao (Manchester Metropolitan University (co-supervision), 2017-2020) - Population genetics and endosymbiont studies of banana aphid (Pentalonia nigronervosa Coquerel) in the Philippines
*Matthias Senft (TU Munich, 2014-2018) - Metacommunity genetics in an aphid-tansy system
*Mary Clancy (TU Munich, 2014-2018) - Chemical ecology in an aphid-tansy system
*Akanksha Singh (TU Munich, 2012-2016) - Multitrophic interactions in an okra-aphid system in Cameroon
MRes students:
*Sophie Blenkinsopp (University of Liverpool) - Microbial inoculation methods for delivering beneficial bacteria
*finished
I am currently a BBSRC David Phillips Research Fellow at the University of Liverpool, Department of Evolution, Ecology and Behaviour, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences
I was previously a postdoc (2011-2014) and then junior group leader (2014-2019), in the Terrestrial Ecology group of Prof. W. Weisser at Technical University of Munich, Germany.