ISTM

I was appointed as a lecturer at Keele University in 1995 and promoted to Senior lecturer in 2005, Reader in 2008 and Professor of Medical Entomology and Vector Control in 2011. I graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Chemistry and Zoology and a research MSc in chemical ecology of plant pests from University College Cardiff (now University Cardiff) in 1985 and I completed a PhD in Biomedical Sciences at Old Dominion University and Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Virginia, USA in 1989. My dissertation was on the chemical ecology of Hard Ticks. I returned to the UK to complete a Wellcome Trust Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship and a Wellcome Trust Advanced Training Fellowship at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine before my appointment at Keele University.  In addition I spent a short period in industry with VG MassLab as an LC/MS specialist.

My major research interest is in the theoretical and translational aspects of the chemical ecology of the Neotropical sand fly, Lutzomyia longipalpis, vector of visceral leishmaniasis as well as the chemical ecology of other species of sand flies, mosquitoes and thrips. The work involves cross cutting research in ecology, population biology, medical entomology, veterinary science, epidemiology, parasitology, synthetic chemistry, molecular biology and vector control. The objective is to develop novel sustainable tools and approaches to reduce human disease transmission, improve bio-security and contribute to the development of new approaches at the forefront of bioengineering and molecular biology. This objective is being delivered through laboratory and field based research, early and sustained industrial collaboration as well as interaction with policy makers and end users e.g. the Ministry of Health at National and State levels in Brazil.

I am a Life member of the International Society for Chemical Ecology (ISCE).

* permanently based in Araçatuba, Brazil

Current research projects

1.  Strategic Translation Award Field trials of synthetic sex pheromone to reduce visceral leishmaniasis transmission by Lutzomyia longipalpis in Brazil. Wellcome Trust, 2010-2015.

2.  Analysis of insect semiochemicals. Wellcome Trust, 2010-2015.

3.  Europe Australasian Thrips Semiochemical (EATS) Network: identification of thrips pheromones. EU, 2012-2016.

3.  Biological, semiochemical and selective chemical management methods for insecticide resistant western flower thrips on protected strawberry. Horticulture LINK, 2010-2015.

4.  Aggregation pheromones of thrips. FERA, 2011-2013.

5.  Pheromone Identification for Environmentally Responsible Control of Thrips. EU Marie Curie IIF, 2011-2013

Although I am currently on research leave my normal teaching duties include contributions to the MSc course in Vector Biology and Molecular Parasitology (Keele, Salford and Manchester Universities), contributions to the first year undergraduate modules Diversity and the Field Course on Coastal Ecology, the second year Animal Physiology and Information Technology for Life Scientists modules as well as third year research projects and dissertations. I am also 2^nd year tutor for the Biology course.