I am currently a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Zoology and Entomology, affiliated with FABI through my research relevant to the Citrus Health programme. My current research in the group of Prof. Christopher Weldon focuses on the African citrus triozid (a vector of the bacterium responsible for citrus greening), Trioza erytreae, and several aspects related to its biology and management. In particular, I am measuring its thermal tolerance to determine habitat suitability in South African citrus growing regions. Furthermore, I will also investigate how environmental variables affect movements of the pest through damage insect secure nets, as well as test the efficacy of air curtains.

During my past projects at the University of Pretoria (PhD and postdoc) and Stellenbosch University (postdoc), I conducted field and laboratory-based research on fruit flies (Tephritidae) with regards to nutrition, oxidative stress, thermal biology and pest management.