Jozsef Vuts

József is a chemical ecologist with more than 10 years’ experience in the chemical ecology of pest-host interactions. He currently leads research on ecology-inspired solutions for crop and agroforestry pest management, providing expertise in the chemical ecology of microbe interactions and soil-dwelling pests. József was instrumental in the identification of microbe-derived attractants for the recruitment of pest natural enemies, in developing methods to isolate natural products with semiochemicals properties from the rhizosphere, and in the development of female attractants for a range of crop pests.

József applies a lab-to-field approach to his research, using established laboratory techniques [dynamic headspace collection, high-resolution gas chromatography (GC), GC-coupled electroantennography (GC-EAG), preparative-scale GC, olfactometry] to characterize semiochemical bioactivity, and field experiments to confirm bioactivity at the field scale. Through his collaborative network both within and outside Rothamsted Research, he works with industrial partners and stakeholders to maximise the impact of his research.