Research in the area of insect physiology focuses on arthropods at the subcellular and molecular level. It includes studies of the mechanisms of insecticide resistance and resistance management; vertebrate mode-of-action of insecticides; the biology of insect pathogens and their use as microbial control agents; and the chemical co-evolution of plants and insects. Graduate students training incorporates both traditional and modern analytical techniques including: synthetic and analytical chemistry, protein chemistry, enzymology, molecular biology, immunology, radiotracer methodology, light and electron microscopy, biology and field studies. The program enjoys an excellent working relationship with the departments of Genetics, Molecular & Structural Biochemistry, Chemistry, Poultry Science and Environmental and Molecular Toxicology on our campus and with local agricultural chemical companies, the National Institute of Environmental Health Science and the Environmental Protection Agency in the nearby Research Triangle Park.

Principal Faculty:
Charles Apperson, Fred Gould, R. Michael Roe, Coby Schal, Jules Silverman, Ed Vargo, Christina Grozinger