I am a masters student currently looking at the development of novel monitoring and control tools for citrus psyllids. My project focuses on testing various semiochemical (odour-based) attractants as a means of improving yellow sticky trap efficacy as a monitoring tool. In addition, I am helping to develop an artificial intelligence driven, vision-based identification system to aid in the timely identification of psyllid pests caught on yellow sticky traps. I have an interest in integrated pest management of insects and I have experience with the identification of various psyllid species, particularly Diaphorina citri (Asian citrus psyllid) and Trioza erytreae (African citrus triozid), which are two important citrus pests.

I have experience looking at the maximum and minimum thermal tolerance limits of Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Potato aphids) and the effect of nutrition on plasticity in thermotolerance of the Marula fruit fly (Ceratitis cosyra). I also have experience with sorting insects like aphids and black flies from suction trap samples as well as experience in identifying Mgenia fuscovaria, which is a planthopper vector for grapevine Aster yellows.