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René SFORZA

 

Research Entomologist, PhD

rsforza@ars-ebcl.org - (33) 4 99 62 30 07

 

 

Research projects at EBCL:

 

Foreign exploration, discovery of biocontrol agents, classical biocontrol of weeds, as spotted knapweed (Centaurea stoebe ssp stoebe - Asteraceae), common teasel (Dipsacus fullonum - Dipsacaceae) and medusahead rye-grass (Taeniatherum caput-medusae - Poaceae), using insects, mites, nematodes, fungi, pathogens as specific agents; host range testing.

 

Areas of scientific interest:

 

Besides biocontrol of weeds, I am interested in crop protection (grapevine, wheat, lavender, sugar beet), especially virus and phytoplasma diseases, including vector studies and symptomatology. I am a taxonomist in Hemiptera (leaf- and planthoppers), and studied eco-ethology and insect bionomics (Fulgoromorpha, Cicadelloidea, Coccoidea). I used several bench techniques: DNA extraction, PCR-RFLP, Southern analysis, electrophoresis, RT-PCR, microscopy (photonic, scanning electronic).

Teaching experience: courses in Plant pathology and Entomology (1998-00), courses in Agronomy (1998), courses in Biology and Geology (1993-94).

Member of the International Council for the Study of Virus and Virus-like Diseases of the Grapevine.

 

Languages:

 

Fluent in English, Italian; Basic knowledges in Spanish.