LOC Committee

Her research focuses on the molecular bases of plant-pest interactions and was one of the first to produce insect-resistant transgenic crops. She is currently developing novel biopesticides, including those based on RNAi. The group are involved in biosafety of these strategies, notably on beneficial insects. She studies molecular responses of crops to abiotic/biotic stress for development of molecular markers. She has published extensively in the field, including in discovery journals (Nature, PNAS) and is named inventor on patents. She was ranked 3rd in the world ratings for citations on work on GM crops and awarded an Honorary Doctorate for contributions to Biotechnology. In 2015 she was elected an Honorary Member of the National Italian Academy of Entomology and in 2016 was awarded the ‘Certificate of Distinction in Recognition of Outstanding Achievements in Entomology’, by the Council of the International Congresses of Entomology. She Chairs the External Scientific Advisory Board of Agrotecnio (Spain), and is a member of International Advisory Board for The Agritech Foundation (Italy). She serves as Secretary-General and Treasurer to Council-ICE.