Areas of expertise
About
My research focuses on understanding biology and ecology of economically important arthropod pests of perennial fruit crops and utilizing that information to develop sustainable integrated pest management (IPM) programs. I am particularly interested in insecticide toxicology and resistance evolution. We employ biochemical, molecular, and quantitative genetic approaches to assess the risk of resistance evolution and determine resistance mechanisms in order to develop scientifically based resistance management programs. Much of our current research is focused on invasive species, Drosophila suzukii – the spotted wing drosophila. We also evaluate insect monitoring techniques, biological control, and host plant resistance, and integrate multiple management tactics to provide a systems-level approach to pest management.
Education
Doctor of Philosophy, Entomology
Washington State University, WA, United States (2010)
Master of Science, Agricultural Production Operations, General
University of Greenwich, United Kingdom (2003)
Master of Science, Entomology
University of Agriculture, Pakistan (2000)
Bachelor of Science, Entomology
University of Agriculture, Pakistan (1998)
Awards and Honors
- Henry and Sylvia Richardson Research Grant 2011 (2011)
- Professional Activity Award (2011)
- Excellence Award (Research) (2009)
- Dr. William R. Wiley Award (2009)
- Robert & Mary Lou Harwood Grad Fellowship (2009)
- ESA Linnaean Games Team Leader (2009)
- Dr. William R. Wiley Award (2008)
- Robert & Mary Lou Harwood Grad Fellowship (2008)
- President's Prize (2008)
- Dr. C. C. Burkhardt Graduate Student Award (2008)
- Dean's Letter of Recognition (2008)
- ESA Student Debate Team Leader (2008)
- ESA Student and Young Professional Award (2008)
- Bug-of-the-Month (2006)
- Bug-of-the-Month (2006)
- Bug-of-the-Year (2006)
- Role of Honor (1998)
- Gold Medal (1998)
- Quaid-i-Azam Award (1998)
- President's Award (Nominee) (1998)
- Talent Award (1997)
- Certificate of Recognition (1997)
- Certificate of Recognition (1996)
- Role of Honor (1991)
- Role of Honor (1989)
Scholarly Works
- Impact of heat stress on development and fertility of Drosophila suzukii Matsumura (Diptera: Drosophilidae), JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY, (2019).
- Evaluation of organic insecticides for management of spotted-wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii) in berry crops, (2019).
- Diel periodicity of Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae) under field conditions, PLOS ONE, (2017).
- Interactions Between Biotic and Abiotic Factors Affect Survival in OverwinteringDrosophila suzukii(Diptera: Drosophilidae), Environmental Entomology, (2019).
- Development of a rapid assessment method for detecting insecticide resistance in spotted wing Drosophila (Drosophila suzukii Matsumura), PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE, (2019).
Contact
Mailing Address
136 Cedar St., Building C
Room 614
Athens, GA 30602-2603
Shipping Address
136 Cedar St., Building C
Room 614
Athens, GA 30602-2603
