Karen Armstrong

Biography

As an applied biologist, Dr Karen Armstrong is interested in novel uses of molecular and chemical technology to develop fit-for-purpose diagnostic tools. She specialises in their application to biosecurity, particularly for identifying pests quickly and accurately, and determining where they have come from. Karen’s research also tackles more fundamental questions within the scope of plant bioprotection, including the taxonomy and systematics of cryptic species and the genetic basis of invasion. Most of her research is centred on high risk pests which are not present in New Zealand, such as fruit flies, lymantriid moths and the brown marmorated stink bug. Karen is a key researcher and the Theme Leader for Diagnostics in the Better Border Biosecurity (B3) collaboration, undertakes research funded by the Australian Plant Biosecurity Cooperative Research Centre and is an adviser to the QUADs Diagnostic DNA Barcoding project. Karen’s team includes Dr Peter Holder who is developing stable isotope and trace element technology to determine the geographic origin of an insect pest. She has also supervised many PhD students on a broad range of topics with a biosecurity component including: ◦ Molecular detection of plant pathogenic Leuteovirus and Potyvirus species ◦ DNA barcoding of exotic insect pests ◦ Taxonomy and evolution of Carpophilus beetles from the South Pacific and of endemic New Zealand broad-nosed weevils ◦ Why some insect species become invasive in their native range ◦ Identification of ornamental fishes for biosecurity ◦ Ecophysiology of a weevil pasture pest and its parasitoid for improved management ◦ Role of genomic islands in virulence of Pectobacterium carotovorum on potatoes ◦ Solving the diagnostic dilemma of cryptic, sympatric pest fruit fly species ◦ Using isotopes and trace elements as geographic origin markers for biosecurity pests ◦ Identification of plant microbe-vectoring psyllids and their associated microflora.

Research Interest

Biosecurity, Entomology, Molecular Biology