Claude Guertin

Biography

Professor Claude Guertin obtained his B.Sc. in 1985 and his M.Sc. in 1987 in biology from the Université du Québec à Montréal and his Ph.D. in 1992 in biology (RIP) from Concordia University. In 1991, he joined the INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier as a postdoctoral fellow and between 1993 and 1998 as a professor at the Center for Virology Research. Since then he has been a professor at the INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier. His research focuses on the development of biological insecticides.

Research Interest

Evaluation of the potential of certain entomopathogens as insect pest control agents. Several chemical control methods have been used in the past to control insect pests in agricultural, forestry and aquatic environments. However, several studies have demonstrated that the use of these chemical insecticides was of questionable efficacy, uncertain profitability. In addition, these products pose a risk to the biophysical environment and to human and animal health. Given the persistence of the pest problem and the growing opposition to the use of chemical pesticides, new control strategies need to be developed. It is in this context that Professor Guertin's research projects are located. Models used for research purposes address different entomological issues. So, studies of spruce budworm, a major pest of coniferous forests in eastern Canada, cone-fir moth, oblique-banded leafroller, and forest tent caterpillar. These studies are carried out in order to relate the potential role of certain entomopathogenic agents, in particular granuloviruses, polyedroviruses, cypoviruses and Bacillus thuringiensis as biological control tools against populations of these pests. The research also seeks to identify the relationships that may exist between pathogens, the insect and the host plants it infests. on the oblique bandworm and finally on the forest tent caterpillar. These studies are carried out in order to relate the potential role of certain entomopathogenic agents, in particular granuloviruses, polyédroviruses, cypoviruses and Bacillus thuringiensis as tools for biological control against populations of these pests. The research also seeks to identify the relationships that may exist between pathogens, the insect and the host plants it infests. on the oblique bandworm and finally on the forest tent caterpillar. These studies are carried out in order to relate the potential role of certain entomopathogenic agents, in particular granuloviruses, polyédroviruses, cypoviruses and Bacillus thuringiensis as tools for biological control against populations of these pests. The research also seeks to identify the relationships that may exist between pathogens, the insect and the host plants it infests.