Jaspher Ewany

Research interests

My overall research interest is related to Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and more specifically on the use of microbial agents and biopesticides for insect pest control. This includes biological pest control of global and emergent insect pests using entomopathogens such as fungi, nematodes and bacteria. My motivation in this context is to find safe alternatives to synthetic chemical pesticides and exploring how these microbial control agents can be integrated with other biocontrol strategies, including beneficial insects, to support sustainable agriculture.

I am currently working on a Swiss Government Excellence funded project that will be leading to a PhD in biology. The project primarily focuses on the biocontrol of the invasive fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, and the banded cucumber beetle, Diabrotica balteata, using Photorhabdus entomopathogenic bacteria. Photorhabdus bacteria live in symbiosis with Heterorhabditis entomopathogenic nematodes. These bacteria produce several toxic compounds which have antibacterial, insecticidal, cytotoxic, antimicrobial, antifungal, acaricidal and antiparasitic properties. The aim of my project is therefore to evaluate how these toxins can be exploited and used to control insect pests in an environmentally friendly manner. This knowledge will greatly improve sustainable agriculture and IPM programmes in which Heterorhabditis nematodes and their Photorhabdus symbionts are used.

Google Scholars: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=p0iGkOgAAAAJ&hl=en

ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jaspher-Ewany

Semantic Scholar: https://www.semanticscholar.org/author/Jaspher-Ewany/1491593037