I work on a wide range of entomological research questions, from biodiversity in agricultural landscapes and integrated pest management to social insect behaviour and chemical ecology. My PhD focused on how social insects respond to infection, particularly the role of chemical cues in shaping behaviour, and this remains one of my main research interests. For much of my life I’ve also kept invertebrates as pets, including tarantulas, lots of praying mantises, and assassin bugs.

Entomology makes up a fairly large part of my identity both at work and outside it. I’m often known as “Bug Boy” or “Dr Bug” by friends, and I’ve become the person everyone sends their blurry insect photos to for identification.

When I’m not doing something insect-related, I play drums, paint miniatures, train MMA, kickboxing and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and spend a lot of time at music festivals and gigs. I’m proudly a nerd: I love sci-fi and fantasy, I’m an avid gamer, and I built my own PC. I’m also a big rock and metal fan, and know far more about pool and snooker than is probably useful.