The 2023 IPBES Invasive Species Assessment indicates that more than 3,500 invasive species with documented negative impacts have been recorded worldwide. Although their numbers are likely to be underestimated and expected to increase, 141 microbial species contribute to that statistic.
Allan specializes in forest pathology and entomology, with expertise in the biological control of invasive trees, the impacts of forest management on invasive forest pests and pathogens, plant pest and pathogen diagnostics, and chemical approaches to managing plant diseases.
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Dr. Chowdhury develops mathematical and computational models to investigate complex biological and ecological systems, with applications in epidemiology and public health. Some of his more recent work includes studying fungal pathogen transmission in North American salamanders and analyzing the dynamics of mosquito-borne diseases.
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Dr. Dickinson’s research focuses on the welfare and performance of conservation and agricultural detection dogs. Her most recent project explores how volunteer dog-handler teams — made up of everyday people and their pets — can effectively detect spotted lanternfly egg masses.
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A key component of Dr. Escobar’s research is developing theory and methods to study the biogeography of infectious diseases, disease ecology, and invasion biology. Current projects include bat-borne rabies, chronic wasting disease, spatial epidemiology in the Anthropocene, and disease-biodiversity relationships.
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Dr. Fearer’s research explores the micro- and macro- level impacts of nonnative pathogens on forest ecosystems. She has studied laurel wilt disease, beech bark disease, beech leaf disease, and walnut witches’ broom.
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Dr. Frank provides leadership in securing funding and delivering Extension programs in pesticide safety education, integrated pest management (IPM), and youth outreach.
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Dr. Ghosh explores how herbivorous insects interact with their environment, focusing on the ecological and evolutionary forces that shape their behavior, physiology, and immune status. She uses invasive and range-expanding insects as model systems to understand how herbivore defenses evolve in multitrophic contexts, how they use environmental signals to anticipate threats, and what physiological costs accompany these defenses.
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Dr. Harner’s research examines how spotted lanternfly (SLF) affects grapevine biology and physiology, fruit composition traits critical for grape and wine quality, grape production, and vineyard agroecosystems, as well as how interactions between SLF and other major vascular pathogens influence vine biology and functioning.
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Hartle studies the microbiology of invasive and pest ants, as well as how pathogens and microbiomes can influence their behaviors.
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Dr. Jones investigates temporal and spatial changes in insecticide resistance in German cockroach populations, as well as the chemical ecology of several pest and invasive species behavior.
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Jozani’s current work involves epidemic supply chain modeling, where she develops optimization frameworks to support decision-making under uncertainty. She is also actively involved in a wavyleaf basketgrass control project in Virginia.
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Klopf specializes in plant ecology and land reclamation, and manages research projects related to the revegetation of mined landscapes, the use of native plant species for reclamation and restoration, community ecology, wetland ecology, water quality monitoring, American chestnut restoration, and forest genetics.
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Dr. Lahondère researches the thermal biology, eco-physiology, and neuroethology of disease vector insects and ticks.
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Littlejohn’s research examines how invasive species, including the Emerald Ash Borer and Beech Leaf Disease, affect carbon storage and sequestration in National Parks.
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Menendez investigates the impacts of the spotted lanternfly on grapevine health and physiology, its effects on fruit and wine chemistry, and its interactions with other grapevine pests and diseases.
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Miles studies the biological control of tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima) with a soil-borne fungus (Verticillium nonalfalfae) and their interaction with spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula).
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Parizad investigates invasive insect vectors and vector-borne plant viruses, focusing on their biology, transmission, and management through field, greenhouse, and molecular research.
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Dr. Peace’s research centers on mathematical modeling, particularly as it applies to biological interactions and population growth dynamics. She uses dynamical systems theory and methods to develop, analyze, and interpret biological systems in ecology and epidemiology.
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Dr. Salom researches forest insect and weed pests, with an emphasis on developing tools and strategies to improve management for those pests. His main area of focus is the biological control of hemlock woolly adelgid and tree of heaven.
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Dr. Schmale’s research explores how microorganisms are transported over long distances in the atmosphere.
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Dr. Schwob is interested in the development of spatio-temporal models with applications in ecology, epidemiology, and environmental sciences. One example of an invasive system he is currently working on is cheatgrass.
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Seaborne’s current research investigates Sorghum halepense (johnsongrass), emphasizing the genomic traits that contribute to its adaptive capacity and invasiveness.
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Sutphin provides education and outreach about horticultural pests, including spotted lanternfly, box tree moth, spongy moth, and tree-of-heaven.
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Invasive species reshape surrounding landscapes, and efforts to manage them can have important implications for the effectiveness of pollinator protection strategies. Working with beekeepers and growers across Virginia, Dr. Wilson studies the interactions between invasive species and their impacts on honey bee health and the state’s agricultural systems.
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