Life within the soil is as complex, if not more so, than that above ground and is subject to the same ecological interactions and food web dynamics.  However, these are subjects that have been largely neglected by the scientific community to date.  Soil insect pests include some of the most damaging insect species in the world.  Yet, their biology, ecology and behavior have been largely understudied due to the complexity of their habitat.

My current research focuses on the effect soil biochemical factors on plant resistance to pests, biological control, and chemical mediation of plant-insect interactions for the sustainable management of economically important arthropod species in agricultural and turf systems. I am also interested in furthering our understanding of the role microbes (pathogenic and/or mutualistic) play in modulating interactions between insects an their environment.

 Research Opportunities:

The Cardoza lab welcomes inquiries from outstanding, enthusiastic, self-motivated undergraduate and graduate students and researchers with interest in the behavior, biology or chemical ecology of soil arthropods. Our research employs a multidisciplinary approach to elucidating the mechanisms driving insect pest interactions with their environment, particularly in agricultural systems.

Topics of research in our lab include:

1) Host plant-insect interactions

2) Evaluation of host plant resistance and biological control to manage plant pests

3) Multi-trophic interactions

4) Insect behavior and chemical ecology, and

5) Interactions between arthropods and mutualistic and/or pathogenic microorganisms.

If the description fits, and your interest is peaked, please contact Yasmin to discuss potential collaborative opportunities.