Tom Saunders

My PhD project in a nut shell

Tom — Mon, 01 Jul 2019 23:12:39 +0000

I started my PhD in October 2017 at the University of Auckland. My supervisor is Associate Professor Greg Holwell. Greg is interested in evolution—particularly sexual selection—and uses arthropods to work on some of the biggest questions in this area. My co-supervisor is Dr Gonzalo Avila, leader of the biocontrol team at Plant & Food...

Stink Bugs of NZ

Tom — Mon, 23 Jul 2018 20:30:48 +0000

My PhD project focuses on biocontrol: using beneficial species to manage the impacts of undesirable species. I’m looking at Trissolcus japonicus, or the ‘samurai wasp.’ This tiny Asian wasp has been proposed for release against the brown marmorated stink bug in New Zealand (if and when the stink bug is found to have established here)....

Better Biosecurity Conference 2018

Tom — Wed, 09 May 2018 23:32:50 +0000

I was in Wellington on Monday 7th and Tuesday 8th May for the 2018 Better Border Biosecurity (B3) Conference. Everything ready for #B32018 plant border #biosecurity conference at Te Papa NZ tomorrow May 7 with 150 attendees and presentations from @MPI_NZ @PBCRC @BioHeritage_NZ @BioprotectionNZ @CEBRA_UoM @TiraWhakamataki @docgovtnz @SITplusPD @drjoluck @CSIROnews and more — B3 Director...

Zapping Severed Antennae for Science

Tom — Tue, 17 Apr 2018 22:00:52 +0000

Last week I travelled to Lincoln to meet with Dr Kye Chung Park. The reason for my visit was to learn some interesting electrophysiology techniques from Dr Park. He was clearly passionate about the work he does, as well as an excellent teacher. I thank him for his patience and generosity during my stay. I’m...