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 Dr. Nagoshi is a recognized expert in insect genetics and reproduction with professional experience in both academic and government science. He has been awarded several nationally competitive research grants including those from the NIH and USDA, and has developed and taught numerous courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels in genetics, molecular biology, and developmental biology. Dr. Nagoshi has worked extensively on the genetics of insect oogenesis and sexual differentiation. At present he is collaborating with unit ecologist, Dr. Meagher, on work that centers on describing the genetic structure of fall armyworm populations, a major international economic pest. The objectives are to develop tools to monitor and predict population movements, assess the probability and magnitude of infestations, and ultimately to modify these populations to mitigate future infestations.
This research entails developing more accurate and efficient methods for detecting genetic markers that can differentiate different fall armyworm strains using techniques such as mitochondrial haplotyping and microsatellite analysis. Strain-specific genes will be identified by differential display, subtractive hybridization, and other genomic screening methods, with the long-term goal of isolating functions that control important behaviors. These will be used to develop genetically modified fall armyworm lines that will facilitate area-wide management methods, such as Sterile Insect Technique. To accomplish these goals Dr. Nagoshi is working closely with unit scientists Dr. Handler and Dr. Shirk to develop methods for genetically transforming fall armyworm and to generate transgenic constructs that can conditionally impose lethality or sterility. It is hoped that these methods will lead to economically competitive and environmentally friendly pest management practices that will reduce the use of chemical pesticides.
Rick Brandenburg, Professor, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
Kristine S. Braman, Professor, University of Georgia
Juan D. Lopez, Research Entomologist, USDA, ARS, College Station, TX
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