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Prof Michael Furlong

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Professor
Prof Michael Furlong’s research focuses on the biological control and integrated management of insect pests. Understanding the ecological and biological relationships between insects and their natural enemies (pathogens, parasitoids and predators) and the interactions between these natural enemies is fundamental to effective biological control and is central to my research. Strategies which manipulate natural enemies to enhance their impact on pest populations are under development, examples include:
• Integration of biological stressors and fungal entomopathogens for improved control of insect pests
• Reduced insecticide inputs combined with the provision of adult food sources to enhance endemic parasitoid performance
• Utilising inducible plant defences to manipulate pests and improve the effectiveness of natural enemies.
Externally funded research projects concentrate on the development of sustainable pest management strategies for insect pests in developing countries. In Indonesia the structure and function of the natural enemy complexes attacking the diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) and the cabbage cluster caterpillar (Crocidolomia pavonana) are being determined. In Samoa the biology and ecology of the egg parasitoid Trichogramma chilonis is being investigated and the possibility of its release as a biological control agent of C. pavonana in Fiji, Tonga and Solomon Islands explored. Research in Fiji is focused on quantifying field resistance of the diamondback moth to commonly used insecticides. An insecticide resistance management strategy has been developed and will be implemented in collaboration with UN-FAO.
I cannot take on any new students in 2023.

Principal Supervisor to 10 PhD students.
Co-Supervisor to 5 PhD students.

Dr Saskia de Klerk

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Discipline Lead for the Marketing, International Business, and Tourism
Dr. Saskia de Klerk teaches entrepreneurship, managing across cultures, international business, and new venture planning at UniSC at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Her research articulates pathways into entrepreneurship in regional ecosystems by utilising sustainable practices, circular economy, and bricolage strategies. This aligns with UniSC Research Priorities: Agriculture,…
2 or 3 students. Topics of Interest: Sustainable practices/circular economy business models/product innovation/regional development/women and young people developing capacity and agribusiness skills/growth and scaling/bricolage/networking/traditional knowledge/culture/experience economy/cultural tourism
• Most recently joined ACIAR project leader Dr. Seeseei Molimau-Samasoni (SROS-Samoa) as part of the Samoan Government-led Pacific regional horticultural food loss project involving four ACIAR focal countries (Samoa, Fiji, Solomon Islands, and Tonga) and UniSC “Adopting a gender-inclusive participatory approach to reducing horticultural food loss in the Pacific”.
• Presented at the Pacific Week of Agriculture- “Transforming Agriculture & Forestry in the Pacific through Science & Technology” on the circular economy, sustainable practices, and food innovation in a place-based approach towards regional development.
• Building connections on women entrepreneurship and community development with Dr. Mereia Fong, Fiji National University.
She also supervised several Ph.D. students from Australia, Bougainville, Sri Lanka, China, Iran, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Germany, and Austria.

The Pacific Supervisor Register is an initiative of the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR). © University of the Sunshine Coast – 2023.

     

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