Biography
I obtained my MSc in 1996 from Wageningen University in The Netherlands and went on to obtain my PhD in Analytical Chemistry/Chemical Ecology from the same University in 2001 under the supervision of Prof. Ae. De Groot and Dr. T.A. van Beek entitled: “Studies towards the sex pheromone of the green capsid bug”.
I continued my research in chemical ecology as a post-doctoral researcher at Cornell University in the USA with Prof. N. W. Calderone (between 2001 and 2003) and from 2003 to 2005 at Keele University in the UK with Dr. Graeme Jones. In June 2005 I was appointed as a Lecturer at Keele University and promoted to senior lecturer in 2010. My research still focus on chemical ecology (thrips, bees and ants), but I now also carry out research in the area of forensic entomology whereby I combine analytical chemistry with forensic entomology to determine time of death.
I’m part of the Chemical Ecology group as well as CAEP (Centre for Applied Entomology and Parasitology) at Keele.
Research and scholarship
I have been an active researcher for over 25 years in the analysis of natural products, such as semiochemicals from insects, using a wide range of analytical techniques. In all my research the use of chromatographic instruments (GC and LC) and mass spectrometry is essential. In recent years, I have been specialising on using a range of multivariate analysis techniques in analysing complex chromatographic traces from insect derived samples, both with GC-MS and LC-MS.
My current research focuses on:
- The chemical analysis of compounds found on the cuticle and internally (metabolites) in insects and how these can be used in within forensic entomology. Here I use natural compounds on and in flies (adults and larvae) and their pupae to age and identify the species in order to determine the Post Mortem Intervals. Untargeted metabonomics using software platforms such as Mass Profiler Professional (MPP) and XCMS online are central to this research.
- Hydrocarbons and their role in nestmate recognition systems in social insects, investigation the biosynthesis of nestmate cues in ants. Central to this research is the use of GC-MS to analysing surface compounds on ants, following by multivariate analysis to characterize differences between nests.
- Investigating the effect of pesticides on honeybees. Until recently I have been analysing a range of different samples from collaborators to determine the level of neonicotinoids in pollen, nectar and bees.
- Identification of pheromones in thrips (collaboration with Prof. William Kirk also at Keele). This involves aggregation pheromones as well as alarms and contact recognition pheromones.
These areas below are very important to my research and have my specific interested throughout my research and teaching:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Chemical Ecology
- Chromatographic techniques
- Hyphenated techniques
I am part of the Chemical Ecology group within the Faculty, and member of the Centre for Applied Entomology and Parasitology (CAEP).
Teaching
Year 2
- CHE-20011: Spectroscopy and Advanced Analysis (Module Leader)
- CHE-20057: Spectroscopy and Analysis
Year 3
- CHE-30011: Forensic Science Team Research Project – ISP (Supervisor)
- CHE-30032: Advanced Chemical Analysis
- CHE-30028: Interpretation, Evaluation and Presentation of Evidence - ISP
- CHE-30029: Forensic Dissertation (Supervisor)
- CHE-30034: Forensic Geoscience
- CHE-30050: Chemistry/Medicinal Chemistry Research Project (Supervisor)
Year 4
- CHE-40030: Analytical Science: Principles and Practice (Module Leader)
- MSc Analytical Science for Industry: Independent Research Project Supervisor
Selected Publications
-
Chronic Atmospheric Reactive Nitrogen Deposition Suppresses Biological Nitrogen Fixation in Peatlands. Environ Sci Technol, 1310-1318, vol. 55(2). link> doi> full text>2021.
- 2020.
-
The evolution of sexually dimorphic cuticular hydrocarbons in blowflies (Diptera: Calliphoridae). J Evol Biol, 1468-1486, vol. 33(10). link> doi> full text>2020.
-
Major Transitions in Cuticular Hydrocarbon Expression Coincide with Sexual Maturity in a Blowfly (Diptera: Calliphoridae). J Chem Ecol, 610-618, vol. 46(7). link> doi> full text>2020.
-
Phenotypic Plasticity of Nest-Mate Recognition Cues in Formica exsecta Ants. J Chem Ecol, 735-740, vol. 45(9). link> doi> full text>2019.
Full Publications Listshow
Journal Articles
-
Chronic Atmospheric Reactive Nitrogen Deposition Suppresses Biological Nitrogen Fixation in Peatlands. Environ Sci Technol, 1310-1318, vol. 55(2). link> doi> full text>2021.
- 2020.
-
The evolution of sexually dimorphic cuticular hydrocarbons in blowflies (Diptera: Calliphoridae). J Evol Biol, 1468-1486, vol. 33(10). link> doi> full text>2020.
-
Major Transitions in Cuticular Hydrocarbon Expression Coincide with Sexual Maturity in a Blowfly (Diptera: Calliphoridae). J Chem Ecol, 610-618, vol. 46(7). link> doi> full text>2020.
-
Phenotypic Plasticity of Nest-Mate Recognition Cues in Formica exsecta Ants. J Chem Ecol, 735-740, vol. 45(9). link> doi> full text>2019.
-
Discovery, synthesis and antibacterial evaluation of phenolic compounds from Cylicodiscus gabunensis. BMC Complement Altern Med, 183, vol. 19(1). link> doi> full text>2019.
-
Revealing chlorinated ethene transformation hotspots in a nitrate-impacted hyporheic zone. Water Res, 222-231, vol. 161. link> doi> full text>2019.
-
Biological nitrogen fixation in peatlands: Comparison between acetylene reduction assay and 15N2 assimilation methods. Soil biology & biochemistry, 157-165, vol. 131. doi>2019.
- 2018.
-
Relationship Between Hydrocarbon Composition on the Cuticle of Melipona quadrifasciata (Hymenoptera: Apidae) Workers and the Secretion of the Cephalic Salivary Glands. SOCIOBIOLOGY, 671-678, vol. 65(4). link> doi> full text>2018.
-
Is the Salivary Gland Associated with Honey Bee Recognition Compounds in Worker Honey Bees (Apis mellifera)?. J Chem Ecol, 650-657, vol. 44(7-8). link> doi> full text>2018.
-
Catalytic performance of microporous materials for the production of renewable fuels. JOURNAL OF POROUS MATERIALS, 69-76, vol. 26(1). link> doi> full text>2019.
-
Host colony integration: Megalomyrmex guest ant parasites maintain peace with their host using weaponry. ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR, 71-79, vol. 139. link> doi> full text>2018.
-
Adult fly age estimations using cuticular hydrocarbons and Artificial Neural Networks in forensically important Calliphoridae species. Forensic Sci Int, 233-244, vol. 280. link> doi> full text>2017.
-
Isochondodendrine and 2 '-norcocsuline: additional alkaloids from Triclisia subcordata induce cytotoxicity and apoptosis in ovarian cancer cell lines. RSC ADVANCES, 44154-44161, vol. 7(70). link> doi> full text>2017.
-
Dietary geranylgeraniol can limit the activity of pitavastatin as a potential treatment for drug-resistant ovarian cancer. Sci Rep, 5410, vol. 7(1). link> doi> full text>2017.
-
The potential use of cuticular hydrocarbons and multivariate analysis to age empty puparial cases of Calliphora vicina and Lucilia sericata. Sci Rep, 1933, vol. 7(1). link> doi> full text>2017.
-
Alarm Pheromone Composition and Behavioral Activity in Fungus-Growing Ants. J Chem Ecol, 225-235, vol. 43(3). link> doi> full text>2017.
-
A characterization of the antimalarial activity of the bark of Cylicodiscus gabunensis Harms. J Ethnopharmacol, 221-225, vol. 198. link> doi> full text>2017.
-
Species-Specific Cuticular Hydrocarbon Stability within European Myrmica Ants. Journal of Chemical Ecology, 1052-1062, vol. 42(10). link> doi> link> full text>
- 2016.
-
Age estimation of Calliphora (Diptera: Calliphoridae) larvae using cuticular hydrocarbon analysis and Artificial Neural Networks. Forensic Sci Int, 81-91, vol. 268. link> doi> full text>2016.
-
Cytotoxicity Effects and Apoptosis Induction by Bisbenzylisoquinoline Alkaloids from Triclisia subcordata. Phytother Res, 1533-1539, vol. 30(9). link> doi> full text>2016.
-
The Long and the Short of Mate Attraction in a Psylloid: do Semiochemicals Mediate Mating in Aacanthocnema dobsoni Froggatt?. J Chem Ecol, 163-172, vol. 42(2). link> doi> full text>2016.
- 2015.
- 2015.
-
Changes in chemical profile of cephalic salivary glands of Scaptotrigona postica (Hymenoptera, Meliponini) workers are phase-related. The Journal of experimental biology. doi>2015.
-
A High Throughput Ambient Mass Spectrometric Approach to Species Identification and Classification from Chemical Fingerprint Signatures. SCIENTIFIC REPORTS, Article ARTN 11520, vol. 5. link> doi> full text>2015.
- 2015.
- 2015.
-
The use of a within-hive replication bioassay method to investigate the phagostimulatory effects of pollen, bee bread and pollen extracts, on free-flying honey bee colonies. APIDOLOGIE, 315-325, vol. 46(3). link> doi> full text>2015.
- 2014.
- 2014.
- 2014.
- 2014.
- 2013.
-
Artificial Neural Network analysis of hydrocarbon profiles for the ageing of Lucilia sericata for Post Mortem Interval estimation. Forensic Science International, 25-31, vol. 232(1-3). doi>2013.
- 2013.
-
A male-predominant cuticular hydrocarbon, 7 methyltricosane, is used as a contact pheromone in the western flower thrips (in press). Journal of Chemical Ecology. doi>2013.
- 2012.
- 2012.
- 2012.
- 2012.
- 2012.
- 2012.
- 2012.
- 2011.
- 2011.
- 2010.
- 2011.
- 2010.
- 2010.
-
Are Postpharyngeal or Mandibular Gland Secretions the Source for Nestmate Recognition in Camponotus atriceps (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)?. SOCIOBIOLOGY, 775-793, vol. 56(3). link>2010.
- 2009.
-
A review of ant cuticular hydrocarbons. Journal of Chemical Ecology, 1151-1161, vol. 35(10). doi>2009.
- 2009.
- 2009.
- 2009.
-
2009. Unusual structural and chemical characteristics of the Dufour gland in the ant Meranoplus diversus. Physiological entomology, 93-97, vol. 34(1). doi>
- 2008.
- 2008.
- 2008.
- 2008.
- 2008.
- 2008.
- 2008.
-
The introduction history of invasive garden ants in Europe: integrating genetic, chemical and behavioural approaches. BMC Biol, 11, vol. 6. link> doi> full text>2008.
- 2007.
- 2007.
- 2007.
- 2007.
- 2006.
- 2005.
- 2005.
-
Role of esters in egg removal behaviour in honeybee (Apis mellifera) colonies. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 24-29, vol. 59(1). doi>2005.
- 2004.
-
Chemical basis for intercolonial aggression in the stingless bee\fIScaptotrigona bipunctata\fP (Hymenoptera: Apidae). Journal of Insect Physiology.2004.
- 2003.
- 2002.
- 2001.
-
Disruption of sexual communication in the mirid bug Lygocoris pabulinus by hexyl butanoate. Agricultural and forest entomology, 49-55, vol. 3(1). doi>2001.
- 2000.
- 2000.
- 1999.
- 1998.
- 2014.
Other
-
Isolation, identification and anti-cancer activity of minor alkaloids from Triclisia subcordata Oliv. BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY (p. 112, vol. 139). link> doi> full text>2017.
- 2017.
-
Behavioural response of Lygocoris pabulinus (Heteroptera : Miridae) to potential sex pheromone compounds. PROCEEDINGS OF THE SECTION EXPERIMENTAL AND APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY OF THE NETHERLANDS ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY (NEV) (pp. 191-195). link>1998.
