I am a Professor of Biology at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, where I lead a research group focused on pest management, biosecurity, and the ecology of social insects. Our research has contributed to improving pest management and strengthening biosecurity responses to invasive species in New Zealand.

A key theme of my research group is the development of safe and effective control options for pest species such as the parasitic mite Varroa destructor, which is a globally devastating pest of honey bee colonies. We work on next-generation approaches, including double-stranded RNA and immunotherapy, to deliver highly targeted pest control for improved biosecurity and sustainable apiculture.