Research activities:

• Chemical ecology of (pest-)insects and their antagonists
• Planning and implementation of research projects to prevent, detect and control insects attacking stored products
• Analysis and identification of natural volatile organic compounds (semiochemicals) for application in stored product protection
• Function of bioactive compounds in intra- and interspecific behavioral contexts and  multitrophic interactions
• Development of odorous attractants, suitable dispensers and trapping systems for monitoring stored product pests
• Methods:
  
  • Volatile collection systems: headspace (closed-loop stripping) techniques, SPME
  • Analysis: GC-FID, GC-MS
  • Odor perception and behavior in insects: EAG, GC-EAD, olfactometer, wind tunnel  

Memberships and boards:

• International Society of Chemical Ecology (ISCE)
• German Society of general and applied Entomology (DGaaE)
• Ernst-Reuter-Gesellschaft der Freunde, Förderer und Ehemaligen der Freien Universität Berlin e.V.
• Reviewer for scientific journals:
  
  • Journal of Chemical Ecology
  • Arthropod-Plant Interactions
  • Crop Protection
  • Chemoecology
  • Journal of Applied Botany and Food Quality
  • Journal of Insect Behavior

Publications before JKI

Publications in the Julius Kühn-Institut