Before joining Canterbury Christ Church University in 2012, I was a postdoctoral researcher at at the National University of Ireland, Maynooth (NUIM). I obtained a PhD in ecology at NUIM in 2011. Both my postdoctoral and PhD research was focused on risk assessment of insect-killing nematodes and fungi that are used as biological control agents against insect pests. In addition, I hold a Masters level degree in Biology with an emphasis on animal and plant physiological ecology from the University of Tuebingen, Germany (Biologie Diplom, 2007), where I also completed my undergraduate studies.

I am currently interested in investigating the effect of stress in insects on their susceptibility to entomopathogens (nematodes and fungi). Additional areas of interest include optimising the efficacy of entomopathogenic biocontrol agents and the behaviour of nematodes and insects. This research is informed by consultation with the biocontrol industry (e.g. Becker Underwood and Fargro).