我要吃瓜

I’m a lecturer in evolutionary ecology at the 我要吃瓜, where I explore how natural and sexual selection shape behaviour, reproduction, and adaptation—especially in insects. My research asks big evolutionary questions (like: why does it matter how many times animals mate, or who they mate with?) but also has real-world applications in sustainable agriculture, insect welfare, and biodiversity conservation.

I work mainly with parasitoid wasps, which are used globally in biological pest control. I'm interested in how their diverse mating and reproductive behaviours have evolved, and how this affects their ability to adapt, and how we can use that knowledge to improve the resilience and ethical standards of insect 'farming'.

Previously, I was a BBSRC Discovery Fellow working on FeminEvo, a project that uncovered unexpected sexual reproduction in wasps thought to be asexual. This opened up exciting new questions about how evolutionary flexibility could help boost pest control without chemicals.

I’m also an advocate for open science, public engagement, and a kinder, more inclusive research culture. Outside the lab, I’m a stand-up comic, occasional musician, and passionate defender of underappreciated species like wasps (especially the weird and the “ugly”).

If you're interested in behavioural ecology, insect evolution, or the interface between science and society—whether as a student, collaborator, or curious human—get in touch!