What I work with

I have a broad general interest in Ecology but my specialty lies within the field of Insect Chemical Ecology and Olfaction. Using a variety of insect species, my past and present research projects range from genetic/molecular studies at the level of the odorant receptor gene and protein, through electrophysiological studies deciphering peripheral odor coding mechanisms, to pheromone identification and behavioral studies in the field.

One of my main current research interests is to investigate how the large and divergent family of insect odorant receptors evolves and functions in relation to ecological specializations, and how response specificity is determined molecularly in these receptors. This includes studies of receptors that are central for pheromone communication, host selection, and interactions with microbial symbionts. Most of this research is performed on conifer-feeding bark beetles, but also on other species of beetles and moths.

Another current main avenue of research is to unravel the ecological importance and sensory basis of insect-microbe symbiosis, using bark beetles and their fungal associates as a study system. We investigate how the beetle’s olfactory system functions to maintain this symbiosis, from the level of the odorant receptors and olfactory neurons to behavioral studies in the lab and field to understand the ecological consequences of the beetle-fungal interactions.

My background

I received my Master’s degree in Biology from Lund University in 2006. The Master thesis was carried out in collaboration with the Chemical Ecology group at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in Alnarp, Sweden, where I also conducted my PhD project. After obtaining my doctoral degree in 2011, I pursued a VR-funded postdoc in the Pheromone group and I have then continued my work in this group as Researcher, and since 2017 as Associate professor (Docent) running my projects on beetle olfaction and chemical ecology.