A key strand of my research focuses on developing safe and effective control options for pest species such as the parasitic mite Varroa destructor, which is a globally important pest of honey bee colonies. My research group works on next-generation approaches including the use of double-stranded RNA and immunotherapy for highly targeted mite control.

Our pest management research also addresses other invasive species including German and common wasps, and Portuguese millipedes. We explore genetic technologies such as gene drives for controlling invasive social wasps. I am also involved in the eradication programme for the invasive yellow-legged hornet in New Zealand.