Tasks

• Research scientist in the RATION (Risk Assessment Innovation for Low-Risk Pesticides) research project financed by the European Commission.
• Designing and developing RNA interference techniques as low-risk pesticides for economically important crops of Brassicaceae and Solanaceae families, with a specific focus on targeting Coleoptera pests, especially the Colorado Potato Beetle (CPB).
• Conducting studies on the insect molecular physiology and immune system of CPB treated by RNA interference reagents (double-stranded RNA/dsRNA).
• Formulation of dsRNA for effective delivery as a pesticide.
• Developing and validating innovative risk assessment approaches and associated tools for dsRNA-based pesticides.