I lead a research program focused on biological communication and the role of information in shaping inter-specific ecological interactions. A major focus of my work explores the role of olfactory cues and signals in plant-insect interactions and in the transmission of plant and animal diseases by insect vectors. This work aims to address key questions in ecology that also have applied relevance for sustainable agriculture, ecological conservation and human health.

Awards and Achievements

  • Elected Fellow of the Entomological Society of America (ESA) ( 2013)
  • The International Society of Chemical Ecology Silverstein-Simeone Lecture Award (Recognizes outstanding recent or current work at the frontiers of Chemical Ecology) ( 2013)
  • Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAs) ( 2011)
  • The Bobby C. Pass Speaker Award  “award scientists who have had a significant impact in the field of Entomology and inspired scientific creativity among graduate students”, University of Kentucky ( 2011)
  • The spirit of Internationalization award, Penn State University ( 2011)
  • Early Career Innovation award ( 2008)
  • Entomological Society of America (Sponsored by BASF), Perry Adkisson Distinguished Speaker Award, Texas A&M Universit ( 2008)
  • National Science Foundation CAREER Award (2007-12) ( 2007)
  • Sawicki Lecture Honored Speaker ( 2007)
  • Rothamstead Research, England Community of Teaching Excellence Award, Pennsylvania State University ( 2007)
  • DuPont Young Professor Award (2006-09) ( 2006)
  • Emerald Award, (Sponsored by Science Spectrum Magazine) ( 2005)
  • Beckman Foundation Young Investigator Award (2003-07) ( 2003)
  • David and Lucile Packard Foundation Award (2002-08) ( 2002)
  • Outstanding PhD Student Award, Dept. of Entomology, University of Georgia ( 1998)
  • First Place, MENSA Student Essay Competition ( 1997)

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