Ponton’s research focuses on the interactions between infection, immunity, nutrition and the gut microbiota in insects. Fleur is highly experienced in experimental infections and gut microbiota manipulation through feeding insects with mixes of bacteria, with research that focuses on measuring how individuals change their diet and how this shift in diet might provide them with better protection against infections. 

Another aspect of Fleur's research is to investigate how the gut microbiota influences health and well being. She has been using insects systems to address these questions since they are very tractable, and easy to manipulate. The parasites and symbionts she studies vary from environmental microbes to human pathogens. 

Dr Sasha Tetu’s research endeavours are highly integrative, combining expertise in molecular biology, microbial ecology, genomics and bioinformatics to address outstanding biological questions. She has established a global reputation in microbial ecology and toxicogenomics through application and integration of ecological principals, ‘omics analyses and molecular biology. 

Ajay Narendra is a neuroethologist interested in understanding the neural basis of behaviour in arthropods. Most of his research focuses on insects, especially ants, bees and wasps. The miniature brain of insects processes and integrates a range of information, some generated by the animal itself and some available in the environment. Their brains are small enough to map the neural circuitry and identify the visual pathways involved in learning and memory, which are essential abilities for survival.

A second aspect of Ajay's research aims to promote insect pollinators and develop methods and techniques to control pests and diseases of native insects. Ajay will bring his expertise in working with bees and measuring effects of probiotics on flower visitation.

Théotime Colin was trained as a beekeeper when he was in high school and has kept bees ever since. He studied biology in France before coming to Australia to complete his PhD at Macquarie University. After completing his PhD in 2019, he was hired as a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Sydney and Macquarie University.

Théotime has a broad interest in entomology and agriculture. His work focuses on understanding the long-term population dynamics of honeybee colonies under stress. He is an expert in hive monitoring methods, which he uses to understand the effect of pests, insecticides, heat, and other stressors on honeybee colonies.

Post-doctoral Research Fellow

Darsh Rathayake's interests lies in entomology, agricultural pest management, pollination biology and insect behaviours. His current research focuses on developing broad-spectrum probiotics to help honey bees to fight against their pathogens. Darsh has professional experience with the Northern Territory Government, where he was involved in honey bee research investigating the role of honey bees in transmitting plant pathogens when pollinating crops. During his PhD, he investigated the effect of natural predators on the survival of releasing sterile Queensland Fruit Flies (Q-fly) and how predator - Q-fly interaction affects the success of the SIT control.

Research Officer 

Georgina Binns's research interests spans across entomology, conservation, animal behaviour, evolutionary biology, taxonomy and systematics. Her PhD research traverses several areas which include understanding the biotic and abiotic effects on the variation in warning signals, chemical defence ecology, and confirming the taxonomy of Amata tiger moths in eastern Australia. She has a professional background in wildlife management (specifically in Macropods) and conservation biology (Chiroptera).

Research Technical Assistant 

The main research areas Aidan is interested in includes agricultural pest management, biosecurity, pollination biology, and entomology. Aidan has assisted with several projects within the team, such as researching the microbial ecology and behaviour of the small hive beetle to develop pest control strategies, creating a broad-spectrum probiotic to reduce the impact of common honey bee pathogens, and developing a fungal-based control for Varroa mite pest management.

Research Assistant and PhD Candidate

Casey is a PhD candidate interested in examining bee health and performance in the face of stressors and exploring potential ways to alleviate these stressors, improve bee welfare and pollinator management. Currently, her main research focuses on investigating the effect of pesticides and antibiotics on bee gut microbiota, learning, memory, and foraging, as well as exploring possible ways to mitigate negative effects through the application of probiotics.