Increasing crop yields to ensure global food security is an important challenge in the scientific community. One of the primary reasons for yield loss is insect-herbivores damage. Plants learn to recognize when insects are attacking them and evolve a complex array of chemical compounds (metabolites) to reduce damage and survive. Plants do so through processes including biosynthesis of toxic metabolites to deter herbivores, the release of “calling for help” molecules to attract predators, and even signals to other plants to “get ready for a herbivore attack.” A better understanding of the biological processes occurring in response to insect attack is critical for developing herbivore-resistant plants.

Our long-term goal is to identify genes and molecular markers that are suitable for controlling agricultural pests and generating resistant plants. This knowledge is critical for uncovering the effects of multiple biotic and abiotic stresses of dryland plants.

The major goal of the lab is to study plant-insect interaction and discover novel genes and metabolites that affect plant defense in various environmental conditions. This is a fascinating and vibrant field of research that allows scientists from varied disciplines of plant biology, analytical chemistry, entomology, and chemical ecology to work together and address this important question. I strongly believe that our discoveries will have the potential to be utilized towards enhancing nutritional quality and improving sustainable agriculture.