Solutions to Insect Armageddon
Free Public Lecture
Bees pollinate crops, dung beetles recycle nutrients, ladybirds control pests and bogong moths are food that sustain endangered pygmy possums.
Globally, there is evidence that beneficial insect populations are in freefall, and insecticide use to control pest insects is a key suspect.
So how can humans control the insects we don’t want, while avoiding collateral damage to the insects that we need?
This event addresses this question, showcasing four fascinating stories of breakthrough research driving new, non-chemical ways to control insects from the University of Melbourne.
A one-hour lecture will be followed by a networking reception.
Presenters
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Mr Felipe Martelli Soares da Silva, PhD Student -
Professor Ary Hoffman, ARC Australian Laureate Fellow and Group Leader at the Bio21 Molecular Science and BiotechnologyProfessor Ary Hoffman
ARC Australian Laureate Fellow and Group Leader at the Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology
Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute
Ary Hoffmann is a professor and ARC Australian Laureate Fellow working in the areas of pest control and environmental stress adaptation. His group undertakes research on a range of invertebrates. They have developed integrated pest control options for the grains and grape/wine industries, investigated how landscape changes can be harnessed to provide pest control services, contributed to novel approaches for suppressing dengue mosquito vectors, and examined new ways to predict species distribution shifts under climate change. Professor Hoffmann is a member of the Australian Academy of Science, past President of the Australian Entomological Society, past President of the Australasian Genetics Society, and visiting Professor at both the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences and the University of Liverpool. His team combines staff and students from The School of BioSciences and is based at the Bio21 Institute at the University of Melbourne.
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Dr Clare Anstead, The University of MelbourneDr Clare Anstead
The University of Melbourne
Clare is a PhD graduate from the Chilton Parasitology group at the University of Saskatchewan (Thesis: Comparison of the Ticks and TickBorne Bacteria of Small Mammals in Western Canada). She is currently employed as a Senior Lecturer in the Gasser Parasite Genetics and Genomics laboratory at the University of Melbourne.
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Professor Philip Batterham, Professor of GeneticsProfessor Philip Batterham
Professor of Genetics
Professor Phil Batterham completed a BSc(Hons) at LaTrobe University and a PhD in Genetics at Monash University. Following two years of postdoctoral research at Syracuse University (USA), he came to the University of Melbourne as a Research Fellow before being appointed as a Lecturer in Genetics. In rising to the level of Professor, Phil has served the University as Associate Dean (Science) – Communications and Development and Provost’s Fellow – Student Experience. Phil has been recognized at the national level for his research, teaching and science communication. The Genetics Society of AustralAsia awarded him the MJD White Medal for research excellence in Genetics. Phil was also awarded the Carrick Citation for his ‘exceptional record in the supervision, support and career mentoring of research higher degree students’ and he has been a five time finalist in the Eureka Prize for Public Communication of Science. Phil has organized several major international conferences including the International Congress of Genetics (2003) and a UN Conference on Global Health (2010). He is the current President of the International Genetics Federation.
