Development of novel molecular methods to identify Ips typographus in the lab and field.
Author(s): Gemma McDonald
Gemma McDonald
MSc, BSc (Hons)
Gemma McDonald
MSc, BSc (Hons)Molecular Biologist
Tree health
Forest Research, Alice Holt Lodge, Farnham, Surrey, GU10 4LH, UK
About Gemma McDonald
Prior to joining FR, Gemma completed a BSc in Zoology at the University of Exeter, conducting her dissertation on mating behaviour in European field crickets (Gryllus campestris). She then went on to study an MSc in Taxonomy, Biodiversity and Evolution at Imperial College London, where she undertook a research project using molecular techniques to investigate facial evolution in crocodiles.
What Gemma does
Gemma is a Molecular Biologist who works on routine diagnostics of insect pests and is currently developing new molecular assays to diagnose Ips species present in the UK. She first started at Forest Research in April 2022 as a research assistant in the Entomology team, working on the management of Ips typographus and researching surveillance techniques for Agrilus species in the UK.
Affiliations
- Member of the Royal Entomological Society