Research Summary

My research group is focused on understanding naturally occurring behaviors in insects. We study mosquito and moth flight behaviors mediated by odors, such as those involved in host-seeking (mosquitoes) and mate finding (moths). Using this behavioral framework, we are also interested in the underlying neurobiology of the olfactory system (sense of smell) and how the brain detects, processes and discriminates between odors in a way that allows the animal to make adaptive behavioral responses.

Education

  • Ph.D., Entomology, University of California, Riverside. Project: Pheromone‑mediated olfactory and behavioral mechanisms in the tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens (F.).
  • B.Sc. (Hons.), Biology, Imperial College of Science and Technology

Biography

I am originally from the U.K. Following my undergraduate degree (B.Sc. Biology 1987) from Imperial College, London, I entered the Ph.D graduate program in Entomology at the University of California, Riverside and graduated in 1992. After two postdoctoral appointments (Iowa State University and University of Arizona), I joined the Department of Biology at the University of Utah as an Assistant Professor in 1998. I have served as Departmental Chair (2008-2014) and Co-Director of the School of Biological Sciences (2020-2022).